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MASYR
Saw provider for massage, past 12 months
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Codes and Frequencies



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Description

For sample adults age 18+ and sample children ages 4-17 in 2022, MASYR reports whether the person had seen a practitioner for massage therapy in the past 12 months.

Prior to 2022, questions about massage therapy were asked as part of the Complementary and Alternative Health Supplement. In 1999, information about massage use in the past 12 months was collected from all sample adults. In 2002, the question was fielded to sample adults who had ever seen a practitioner for massage (MASEV), and in 2007 and 2012 the question was also asked of all sample children.

Beginning in 2022, MASYR was one of twenty-five variables sponsored by the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to assess complementary and integrative health (CIH) practices. Please see THPYART to learn more about the Complementary and Integrative Health content section, including a complete list of CIH variables fielded in the 2022 NHIS.

Definitions 

The 1999 Field Representative's Manual defines massage therapy as:

using touch and rubbing to reduce pain and create relaxation.

This definition was not routinely shared with respondents.

The 2002 Field Representative's Manual says that massage:

involves pressing, rubbing, and otherwise manipulating muscles and other soft tissues of the body, causing them to relax and lengthen and allowing for the flow of pain-relieving oxygen and blood to the affected area. Using their hands, and sometimes feet, elbows, and forearms, massage therapists may employ over 75 different methods, such as Swedish massage, deep-tissue massage, neuromuscular massage, and manual lymph drainage. Massage is considered effective for relieving any type of pain in the body's soft tissue, including back, neck, and shoulder pain, headaches, bursitis, tendinitis, etc.

This definition was not routinely shared with respondents.

The 2007 and 2012 Field Representative's Manual provides a definition that focuses on the massage therapist:

Massage therapists manipulate muscle and connective tissue to enhance function of those tissues and promote relaxation and well-being.

In 2007 and 2012 field representatives were advised to "feel free to offer [this definition] even if the respondent has not requested [it]."

The 2002, 2007, and 2012 survey questions asked whether the person had seen "a practitioner" (for sample adults) or "a provider or practitioner" (for sample children) for massage in the past 12 months. The 2007 and 2012 Manual defines an "alternative provider or practitioner" as:

someone who is knowledgeable about a specific alternative health practice. This person provides care or gives advice about its use, and usually receives payment for his or her services.

In 2022, massage therapy was not further defined in the field representative's manual.

Related Variables 

Additional information about use of massage therapy was collected for respondents who reported using massage therapy in the past 12 months.

Prior to 2022, the additional information collected included variables on frequency of use and amount of out-of-pocket costs. Please use the IPUMS NHIS drop-down menus and search function to learn more about these variables.

Beginning in 2022, the additional information collected included variables on seeing a practitioner of massage to treat or manage physical pain and to restore overall health.

  • MASPAIN: Saw practitioner of massage for pain
  • MASHLTH: Saw practitioner of massage to restore overall health

Comparability

Changes in the universe and sample design affect comparability of this variable across time.

In 2007, sample children were added to the universe for this question. In 2007 only, the sample child universe was not restricted by if the sample child had ever seen a practitioner for massage therapy (MASEV). Because of this expanded universe, the number of negative responses for MASYR is much higher in 2007.

In 2022, the universe was not restricted to those who had ever seen a practitioner of massage and included all sample adults and sample children ages 4-17.

In addition, the NHIS questionnaire was substantially redesigned in 2019 to introduce a different data collection structure and new content. For more information on changes in terminology, universes, and data collection methods beginning in 2019, please see the user note.

Universe

  • 1999: Sample adults age 18+.
  • 2002: Sample adults age 18+ who have ever seen a practitioner for massage.
  • 2007: Sample adults age 18+ and sample children under 18who have ever seen a practitioner for massage.
  • 2012: Sample adults age 18+ and sample children between the ages of 4 and 17 who have ever seen a practitioner for massage.
  • 2022: Sample adults age 18+ and sample children age 4-17.

Availability

  • 1999, 2002, 2007, 2012, 2022

Weights