{"id":3474,"date":"2022-01-05T08:11:07","date_gmt":"2022-01-05T08:11:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/CBMiVWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm1hc3NhZ2VtYWcuY29tL3lvdXItd2VsbG5lc3Mtcm9hZG1hcC1mb3ItdGhlLW5ldy15ZWFyLTIwMjItdHJlbmRzLTEzMjU2Ni_SAQA"},"modified":"2022-01-05T08:11:07","modified_gmt":"2022-01-05T08:11:07","slug":"your-wellness-roadmap-for-the-new-year-2022-trends-massage-magazine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thcinct.com\/?p=3474","title":{"rendered":"Your Wellness Roadmap for the New Year: 2022 Trends – Massage Magazine"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"We<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

We have, individually and collectively, undergone many changes over the past almost-two years. Standing on the edge of 2022, we can clearly see the general public embracing big changes\u2014shifts in mindset, health care consumption and ways of coping with stressors among them\u2014that can inform your massage practice and the way you interact with clients.<\/h2>\n

Here are 22 trends in areas directly related to both massage therapy and the larger society. Becoming aware of trends will help you understand what today\u2019s clients are dealing with and adopt new ways of taking care of your practice.<\/p>\n

1. The Return to Massage<\/h3>\n

Many people spent 12-plus months isolated from most other human beings, putting into high relief the need for nurturing touch. The mainstream press ran with this topic, explaining touch\u2019s stress-relieving and immune-system-supporting benefits. Terms like \u201ctouch hunger\u201d and \u201ctouch starvation\u201d entered the public conversation. And, after what seemed like forever, massage clients returned.<\/a> According to a how\u2019s-your business-going poll we just ran, most of MASSAGE Magazine\u2019s Facebook audience<\/a> checked off the option of \u201cI have more business\/inquiries than I can handle.\u201d But throughout the pandemic, mandatory shutdowns across the country presented huge challenges to most small-business owners. Many of you had to find new ways of doing business\u2014from learning new skills to creating passive income and taking advantage of the many federal financial assistance programs. Massage therapist Dawn Melvin Ramsden<\/a>, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, sums it up: \u201cI continue to work with business<\/p>\n

 mentors and coaches to grow my business with new strategies and the results are showing. I began to diversify revenue streams last year by accepting personal injury cases and now expanding to working with veterans through the VA. I was able to hire two part-time therapists and an administrative assistant last year and the Paycheck Protection Program loan helped me get to where I am today.\u201d<\/p>\n

2. Eco-Wakening<\/h3>\n

We all want to reverse climate change\u2014especially your millennial and Gen Z customers\u2014and some will make scheduling decisions based, at least in part, on a business\u2019s commitment to sustainability<\/a>. \u201cConsumers care more about their carbon footprint in everything they do, from clothing to beverages to beauty products,\u201d says Hector Gutierrez, CEO of JOI<\/a>. \u201cThat means every sustainability move a company makes\u2014with real, trackable, tangible results\u2014is going to matter more than ever before. It\u2019s no longer enough to talk about it; you have to show the results.\u201d In fact, many consumers believe brands bear as much responsibility for positive environmental change as do governments, according to the World Economic Forum.<\/p>\n

3. Zoom Face<\/h3>\n

We are all online now, meeting with colleagues, friends and crafting groups, or presenting at and attending conferences and board meetings. Along with the uptick in online meetings\u2014in 2020 alone, Zoom\u2019s business grew by 470.33%\u2014has come increased self-awareness of one\u2019s appearance, termed Zoom Face, and resulting growth in facial cosmetic procedures, from nose reshaping and eyelid surgery to facelifts and fillers. \u201cThe use of video teleconferencing apps like Zoom, FaceTime, Google Meet, all allow us to see ourselves much more frequently than we used to,\u201d says cosmetic surgeon P. Daniel Ward, MD<\/a>, whose practice is headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah. \u201cThis prompted many of us to be bothered by certain features of our face, such as an overly prominent nasal tip, a bump on the nose, droopy eyelids, saggy cheeks, saggy jawline, saggy neck.\u201d Why would this matter to massage therapists? Cosmetic surgeons are well aware of the postsurgical benefits of lymph massage and refer to massage therapists accordingly. \u201cOne of the most frustrating aspects of recovery from surgery is the swelling that occurs, Ward says. \u201cThe lymphatic system is, of course, vitally important for resolution of swelling. I am a big believer in lymphatic massage as a way to help accelerate the recovery after surgical procedures.\u201d<\/p>\n

4. Virtual Conferences<\/h3>\n

Conferences are increasingly online, meaning you can connect with and learn from colleagues and experts from your sofa or home office. (We know, it\u2019s not the same as greeting friends with a hug, but you can attend more meetings and save on travel costs with virtual conferences.) \u201cVirtual conferences provide an enormous benefit to the massage industry,\u201d says Jeanette Falu-Bishop<\/a>, host of the virtual The Massage Conference Live held in late 2021. \u201cAttendees get access to multiple resources at the touch of a keypad. Virtual conferences are the wave of the future in all industries and could catapult professional growth into a new era.\u201d<\/p>\n

5. <\/strong>Critical Thinking<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Massage therapists are being encouraged to embrace critical thinking\u2014the antithesis of blind belief in unproven theories, aka magical thinking (\u201cchakra balancing must be real!\u201d)\u2014by educators and colleagues who want to elevate the field\u2019s standing as a form of health care. \u201cAt the heart of critical thinking is the discipline of learning to question,\u201d says Douglas Nelson, LMT, BCMTB,<\/a> immediate past president of the Massage Therapy Foundation. \u201cOver the years, I have learned that the first perspectives to question are my own opinions and ideas. Many, if not most, of the poor decisions I have made in the past came from not knowing what I did not know. In those cases, my confidence was greater than my competence\u2014and nothing builds confidence like lack of knowledge.\u201d Learning to think critically can be uncomfortable and difficult, but it\u2019s worth it, adds educator Jason Erickson, BCTMB, CPT<\/a>. \u201cIt helps you recognize and debunk misinformation, improves your massage skills and client education, and you find it easier to understand how to help people with a wide range of challenges.\u201d Development of critical thinking skills, he says, should be a key aspect of every massage therapy core curriculum and CE class.<\/p>\n

6. Keeping Up with Inflation<\/h3>\n

The cost of massage lubricants, linens, rent\u2014along with food, gasoline and just about everything else\u2014keeps going up. At the end of 2021, inflation had hit a 30-year high, according to business news and forecaster Kiplinger. Instead of bemoaning this, raise your rates to keep pace. This is how massage therapist Jelina Howard<\/a> of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, does it: \u201cRaising prices by 3% every other year, or every three years, is a standard and conservative way to raise your rates and not sticker-shock your clients.\u201d Massage therapist Shannon Kircher<\/a> of Marathon, Florida, says: \u201cWe are raising our rates due to an increase in rent, utilities, and linen services. Plus, it\u2019s been three years since our last price increase. Everything is getting more expensive. Clients understand and are willing to pay. The resort spa prices in our area are about 30% to 40% higher than us. [With] 21 years\u2019 experience, we have no problem giving ourselves a raise.\u201d<\/p>\n

7. Mental Health<\/h3>\n

A new survey<\/a> on mental health from the You-Gov Cambridge Globalism Project shows that 53% of American women said their working life has become more stressful due to the pandemic, 50% of people in the U.S. ages 18 to 24 say the pandemic has badly affected their mental health, and just 43% of the overall U.S. population say they feel optimistic for the future. High-profile athletes (Naomi Osaka, Simone Biles) and others are being honest about struggles with mental health\u2014and although massage is not a replacement for mental health care and referrals should be made as needed, massage therapy has been found by researchers to decrease anxiety and depression while boosting feel-good hormones like oxytocin.<\/p>\n

8. The Spa Employment Crunch<\/h3>\n

According to the International Spa Association\u2019s 2021 ISPA U.S. Spa Industry Study<\/a>, consumer demand for spa services is up, but staffing of key positions, including massage, is way, way down: More than 36,000 service providers down. If you ever considered working in a spa, now might be the time to make that move. One innovative staffing solution, Spa Space<\/a>, has grown more than 100% over the past few months, with over 1,000 service providers now signed up. The platform matches workers<\/a> with open spa treatment rooms\u2014so you can enjoy working in a spa environment while holding onto your independence.<\/p>\n

9. Mindfulness<\/h3>\n

What will keep you focused on the present moment rather than freaked out about the future? Mindfulness, a practice developed through meditation, breathwork and remembering to be here now. Mindfulness has been seen as an antidote to modern stressors for many years\u2014but has taken on a larger significance due to the pandemic, political strife and growing unease about what may come. \u201cThe almost unfathomable upheavals of the global pandemic have been an ongoing reminder of the fragility of our lives; we have felt, again and again, how hopes and plans and expectations can be dashed without warning,\u201d says educator and author David M. Lobenstine, LMT<\/a>. \u201cAs a result, the gift that mindfulness gives\u2014a reminder to remain in the present moment\u2014is more valuable than ever.\u201d Practicing mindfulness during a massage session<\/a> can be particularly powerful, he adds. \u201cWhen we become aware of the rise and fall of our own breath\u2014when we notice our wandering thoughts without judgement and bring our attention back to the next exhalation\u2014then we provide a template for the client to do the same and feel more at ease in their own body and brain and breath.\u201d<\/p>\n

10. The U.S. Sleep Deficit<\/h3>\n

Thirty percent of U.S. adults now suffer from insomnia and 10% suffer from chronic insomnia, according to the American Sleep Association<\/a>, a trend that won\u2019t be put to bed soon. \u201cThe past couple of years knocked millions of people out of the routines they\u2019d grown used to,\u201d says Certified Sleep Science Coach Stephen Light. \u201cWith all of the extra hours at home and with routines thrown out of whack, sleep schedules suffered.\u201d The drastic rise in average screen time\u2014especially before bed\u2014threw a wrench into sleep hygiene, among other behaviors, Light says. \u201cStress rose alongside the uncertainty and upheaval in our world, which certainly didn\u2019t help anyone get a good night\u2019s sleep either.\u201d And what is great for stress relief and self-connection? Massage<\/a>, of course.<\/p>\n

11. Wellness as a Superpower<\/h3>\n

People are realizing the importance of prioritizing their health\u2014in large part to create resistance to viruses including COVID-19 and flu\u2014fueling increased interest in physical fitness, lessened stress, healthy nutrition and a strengthened immune system (altogether, wellness). \u201cWhen so much feels out of our control, it\u2019s important to focus on what we can control, says Nicholas Vasiliou of BioHealth Nutrition<\/a>. \u201cMany consumers are noting that and taking back control of their diets and exercise regimens.\u201d According to MINDBODY\u2019s 2021 Wellness Index<\/a>, a survey of U.S. consumers, people are embracing wellness for several reasons: 62% of respondents said they are doing so to reduce stress, while 60% said \u201cthe pandemic has made me realize that I need to be healthier to withstand disease\/illness.\u201d Massage therapists can tap into the wellness trend by marketing healthy touch as a component of preventative health and well-being. More specifically: massage therapy relieves pain, and pain can have a significant immunosuppressive effect<\/a> on the human body.<\/p>\n

12. Remote Work<\/h3>\n

Millions of Americans now work from home. A 2021 study from Mercer found that 70% of companies plan to adopt a hybrid model of work, and a FlexJobs survey found that almost 60% of employees want to work remotely all the time. To find out what that trend could meant for your massage practice, read \u201cChair Massage Success in the New Normal: This is How the Coronavirus has Changed Things (And What Will Stay the Same.)\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n

13. The Push for Diversity & Inclusion<\/h3>\n

When it comes to patronizing businesses, U.S. consumers increasingly prioritize those that show a commitment to diversity\u2014making diversity not only an ethical choice, but one that is good for your bottom line<\/a>. The people seeking massage experiences come from various cultures, ethnicities, religions, gender identification, locations and age groups, explains spa educator Sherrie Tennessee<\/a>. \u201cAs there is diversity in massage clients, the same should and needs to be reflected in the massage therapists providing those experiences,\u201d she says. Yet just 8% of massage therapists are Black professionals compared with 64% of practitioners being white, for example. One group working to grow diversity and inclusion<\/a> in the massage and spa field is the Network of Multicultural Spa and Wellness Professionals, founded and led by Toshiana Baker. NMSWP<\/a> is dedicated to the education, support and growth of underrepresented and marginalized spa and wellness professionals. Diversity, Baker says, is essential to the continued evolution of the massage industry\u2014and inclusion, which is the feeling of belonging and active initiatives to support belonging instead of performative and superficial initiatives, is just as important. \u201cThese initiatives need to be implemented from the student-level experience all the way to top executive leadership roles in order to truly be the change we desperately need to see,\u201d explains Baker. \u201cIt has been very exciting and refreshing to see many members of our profession come together in dedication to this cause, however, we have a way to go to get every stakeholder at every level genuinely invested in these initiatives for the long-term.\u201d We know that mental health and well-being are already challenged in these times of uncertainty, says Baker, adding, \u201cimagine the effect of [perceived] inadequacy, rejection and not belonging on top of it.\u201d<\/p>\n

14. Touchless Treatments<\/h3>\n

During 2020, spas and franchises implemented no-touch treatments<\/a> to reduce stress while accommodating customers\u2019 fear of close contact. Many of those treatments are raking in big bucks at large businesses\u2014and massage therapists with enough session-room space can also consider offering such touchless treatments as sauna, hot water immersion, LED therapy\u2014or even a specialized treatment table wired for quantum harmonic sound therapy.<\/p>\n

15. Educated (With Your Help) Clients<\/h3>\n

Online chatter and social posts reflect a growing focus on the part of massage therapists on client education. Heather L. Ash<\/a>, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is one massage therapist who educates clients while she works. \u201cI am constantly trying to help clients unlearn the idea that \u2018deep\u2019 pressure and \u2018firm\u2019 pressure are the same thing, that \u2018knots\u2019 are a thing, that harder pressure is better, and that [massage] has to hurt to feel better.\u201d Other client-education<\/a> topics? Stretching between sessions and understanding that regular massage is part of a healthy wellness program.<\/p>\n

16. Body <\/strong>Love<\/h3>\n

The isolation engendered by COVID-19-related restrictions fueled disordered eating behavior\u2014and with the relaxation of restrictions, diet culture came roaring back, says registered dietitian nutritionist Lauren MacLeod, RD<\/a>. \u201cEvery wellness influencer seemed to be touting ways to kick COVID weight gain,\u201d she said. Providing a counterbalance is the body positive movement<\/a>, with messages about loving your body as it is<\/a>, moving joyfully and eating mindfully. \u201cPeople are tired of diet culture dictating their lives \u2026 the core value of [the body-positive] movement is to accept your body as it is and encourage balanced lifestyle choices. Health is not determined by weight, but rather by these small, consistent changes, such as eating all foods in balance (intuitive eating), participating in mindful and enjoyable movement, sleeping well and caring for your mental health.\u201d<\/p>\n

17. The COVID-19 Survivor on Your Table<\/h3>\n

As many as one-third<\/a> of all Americans have been infected with COVID-19, according to Columbia University researchers. The latest systematic review of 57 studies comprising more than 250,000 survivors of COVID-19 indicates 50% of COVID-19 survivors<\/a> will suffer from ongoing symptoms ranging from mild to debilitating\u2014fatigue, headaches, breathing difficulties, coughing, heart palpitations, joint or muscle pains, loss of taste and smell, digestive issues, mood changes, dizziness and brain fog, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention\u2014for six months or longer. \u201cWhile massage therapy cannot always help alleviate such symptoms, there are several that can be helped with massage,\u201d says medical massage therapist David Weintraub, LMT<\/a>, who wrote on this topic for massagemag.com. \u201cThe obvious ones to look out for are joint-and-muscle pain and headaches. Clients presenting with these conditions are very likely to find relief with massage therapy. Breathing difficulties, coughing, digestive issues, dizziness and brain fog may also be helped.\u201d<\/p>\n

18. Sanitation+<\/h3>\n

Clients are very aware now of sanitation protocols<\/a> and expect impeccable cleanliness. One national poll of massage therapists shows that almost 90% of you are undertaking more thorough cleaning and sanitation procedures than before. That\u2019s good: According to MINDBODY\u2019s State of the Spa and Salon Industry Report 2021<\/a>, 36% of germ-wary consumers say cleanliness is the most important factor when visiting a salon or spa.<\/p>\n

19. Ongoing Trauma<\/h3>\n

With what we have all been through since early 2020\u2014racial discord, political upheaval, and the grief of 800,000 lives lost to COVID-19 in the U.S. alone, you can expect to see more people on your table who present with trauma<\/a>. The American Psychological Association defines trauma as an emotional response to a terrible event, with long-term reactions to trauma possibly including unpredictable emotions, flashbacks, strained relationships and physical symptoms like headaches or nausea. Massage therapist and educator Jimmy Gialelis, LMT<\/a>, sees clients presenting with trauma in his Tempe, Arizona, practice. \u201cThese individuals display great strength and fortitude,\u201d he says. \u201cTheir bodies have taught me many lessons. They often share their stories with me. As I listen actively, their words resonate a spirit of hope. They trust they will receive healing within our sessions together.\u201d One key principle when working with trauma patients is to remember that the client will not benefit from therapy of any sort\u2014massage, physical, counseling, psychiatry\u2014 until their body is moved into a parasympathetic state, Gialelis says. \u201cI do my best to create a safe, neutral environment in which trauma clients<\/a> can relax and experience their session fully. Ambiance of my room, music selected, quality of touch, comfort level of client and warm aesthetics are all factors I consciously check before working with trauma clients to ensure they can experience a parasympathetic state upon my table.\u201d West Haven, Connecticut, massage therapist Tina Marie, LMT,<\/a> also specializes in trauma and anxiety-related conditions. \u201cBodywork for some can be very daunting, and as bodyworkers we are working bottom up\u2014body to mind connections,\u201d she says. \u201cHaving a better understanding and education on the mind, handling and knowing differences of shock, trauma and stress can greatly improve a bodywork experience for those suffering great anxiety, phobia, panics, depression\u2014the list is long.\u201d<\/p>\n

20. Pain Brain<\/h3>\n

A growing body of research supports the biopsychosocial model<\/a> of pain\u2014meaning pain sensations are created with input from the brain and also modified based on memories, past experiences and other social phenomenon. Noteworthy for massage therapists is the language used to describe one\u2019s feelings, including pain. \u201cI\u2019ve noticed a common factor in clients with chronic pain,\u201d says bodyworker and educator Anna Lunaria<\/a>, who wrote on this topic on massagemag.com. \u201cThese clients often begin their sessions characterizing their pain in pejorative terms, such as \u2018This is my bad hip\u2019; \u2018I\u2019m a train wreck\u2019; or \u2018I\u2019m all twisted up.\u2019 Shifting their relationship with their body through mindful language choices<\/a> is pivotal in addressing their chronic pain and their relationship with their body.\u201d<\/p>\n

21. CBD<\/h3>\n

Cannabidiol from hemp, or CBD, is big business; all 50 states have legalized its use in one form or another (check with your regulator before offering CBD massage). \u201cResearch is indicating that CBD, when applied topically, may function like capsaicin, provide many of the same therapeutic benefits<\/a> of capsaicin for the treatment of arthritis and nerve pain but be much more pleasant to use,\u201d says Jeffrey Cullers, DC, vice president of Premier US Hemp<\/a>. \u201c<\/strong>When other ingredients<\/a> like menthol, essential oils and herbs are added to CBD, it may promote the effectiveness of CBD.\u201d People want to incorporate CBD treatments into their wellness plans, says Pamela Heavner, key opinion leader for Charlotte\u2019s Web<\/a>. \u201cIt can be beneficial to offer a CBD massage session to attract those consumers looking for creative and effective ways to utilize CBD for pain management.\u201d CBD topicals can be a great way to earn extra income, as clients can take advantage of the convenience of purchasing from their massage therapist after receiving a pain-relieving CBD massage session, Heavner adds. \u201cThe added income makes this a win-win for both the therapist and the client.\u201d<\/p>\n

22. You Tell Us<\/h3>\n

Transparency and two-way communication are important in today\u2019s journalism, and MASSAGE Magazine is fully on board with this trend. We want to tell your story, cover the topics you\u2019re most interested in, and provide you with the information and advice that will help you thrive as a massage therapist. Reach out and share your ideas, anytime, with our editorial staff at edit@massagemag.com.<\/p>\n

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\"Karen<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

About the Author<\/h4>\n

Karen Menehan is MASSAGE Magazine\u2019s editor in chief, print and digital. Reach her at edit@massagemag.com.<\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

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We have, individually and collectively, undergone many changes over the past almost-two years. Standing on the edge of 2022, we can clearly see the general public embracing big changes\u2014shifts in mindset, health care consumption and ways of coping with stressors among them\u2014that can inform your massage practice and the way you interact with clients. Here are 22 trends in areas directly related to both massage therapy and the larger society. Becoming aware of trends will help you understand what today\u2019s clients are dealing with and adopt new ways of taking care of your practice. 1. The Return to Massage Many… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3474","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-connecticut-cbd-news"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thcinct.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3474","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thcinct.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thcinct.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thcinct.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thcinct.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3474"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/thcinct.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3474\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thcinct.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3474"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thcinct.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3474"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thcinct.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3474"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}