Table 2.

Characteristics of Patients and Visits with LMT

Total Visits (N=403)	%
Gender
Female	65.3
Male	34.7
New patient	25.0
Established patient	75.0
Reason for visit:
General Relaxation	34.9
Specific Reason	65.1
If specific reason, what reason? (% yes)
Muscularskeletal Pain	49.9
Chronic Disorder	7.9
Nerve/Neurological Pain	3.5
Other	2.0
Does patient tell primary care provider they use massage? (% yes)	50.6
If no, why not? (% yes)
Fear of negative response	1.6
Physician did not ask	15.9
Physician does not need to know	9.0
Did not occur to patient to tell PCP	72.5
Other Reasons	11.1
Does the practice use release forms? (% yes)	58.5
If yes, did the patient sign a release form? (% yes)	30.3
Did patient indicate it would be easier to talk to PCP if they had information about the benefits of massage therapy? (% yes)	16.5
Did a health-care provider recommend patient for today’s massage? (% yes)	23.3
If yes, what type of provider? (% yes)
Primary Care Provider	38.7
Orthopedist	19.4
Rheumatologist	5.4
Neurologist	5.4
Internist	4.3
Palliative Care	2.2
Other practitioner	48.4
If no, has a provider ever recommended massage in the past? (% yes)	39.7