Surprisingly, massage and spa services see higher demand in stressful economy

A story this past fall in the Berkshire Record newspaper declared that people find more reasons to seek massage and spa services in trying times.
To quote from the story:
Elizabeth Masiero, owner of Soul Spa on 24 School Street in Lee, said people are definitely coming into her spa more frequently because of their economic situation. “I think we are at a critical time,” she said. “It is tough on everyone and it causes a lot of stress.” Masiero noted that two of the biggest reasons people come in for a massage are because of stress and injury, two things that have escalated in these dire economic times. “Because people are working harder to make money, they are getting hurt more often and coming in,” she said. According to a survey conducted by the American Massage Therapy Association, 59 percent of Americans are more stressed this year than last year, and that stress and relaxation is a top reason why individuals get a massage, with 45 percent saying that they are greatly stressed by the current financial situation. The pressures of the slumping economy are no doubt being felt in Berkshire County, and local massage therapists say they have seen a recent increase in individuals looking to unwind.

“All throughout this whole financial crisis my business has picked up,” said Kevin Parsons, owner of Green Woods Massage, operating out of Dempsey Physical Therapy in Great Barrington. “People don’t necessarily cite stress because of the financial situation, but I think stress in general is pushing people toward massage and other ways to reduce stress.”

Parsons said the part of his business which has grown the most is the shorter half-hour massages he offers. He also said he has seen an increase in attendance for the yoga classes he teaches.
Doone Marshall, owner of Body and Soul at 184 Maple Avenue in Great Barrington, does not doubt that more people are turning to massage to relieve their stress, but hasn’t seen such a pickup in her business.

“I think it is probably true, especially in larger cities, that people are turning to massage to relieve stress. It is a great way to do it,” she said.
Full story is at http://www.berkshirerecord.net/index.cfm?dsp=news.view&nid=196