A Proclamation by His Excellency Governor Deval L Patrick
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WHEREAS Therapeutic massage can benefit people of all ages; and
WHEREAS Research has shown massage may be helpful in controlling pain, relieving stress, boosting immune
system functioning and reducing heart rate and blood pressure. Massage therapy benefits have also been
studied on people with lower back pain, migraines and on AIDS and cancer patients, among others; and
WHEREAS The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics has found that the employment of massage therapists
is expected to increase by 19 percent from 2008 to 2018, faster than the average for all occupations and that
employment will grow as more people learn about the benefits of massage therapy; and
WHEREAS Consumers are spending in excess of $2 to $4 billion annually on massage therapy and,
recognizing the benefits of massage therapy, insurance companies now cover such services; and
WHEREAS The American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA), a 55,000 member professional association
for massage therapists, and the Massachusetts Chapter of the American Massage Therapy Association,
consisting of over 3,500 members, provide consumer and professional education information on massage
and help consumers and health professionals locate qualified massage therapists in their areas;
THEREFORE Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, do
~hereby proclaim the week of October 24th..30th, 2010 to be,
NATIONAL MASSAGE THERAPY
AWARENESS WEEK
And urge all the citizens ofthe Commonwealth to take cognizance of this event
and participate fittingly in its observance.
Given at the Executive Chamber in Boston, this thirteenth day of October, ~n the year two thousand and ten, and of
the Independence of the United States of America, the two hundred and thirty-fourth.
~ DEVAL L. PATRICK
GOVERNOR OF THE COMMONWEALTH
~~
WILLIAM FRANCIS GALVIN
SECRETARY OF THE COMMONWEALTH