It seems everywhere you turn – or read online- there is some news about artificial intelligence (AI) and its impact on our work and day-to-day activities. How will AI, which is the ability of computers or other machines to perform activities previously thought to require intelligence, have an impact on the massage therapy industry?
Besides AI, will other technologies like robotics, virtual reality, and augmented reality play a role in massage therapy? And by virtue of the use of new massage technology will more people seek touch therapies to complement mainstream medical treatments?
The answer to these questions starts by understanding new massage technology and the role it can play to address the ever-changing needs of clients.
The promise of AI in massage therapy technology
Last year, Massage Today looked at the potential role of AI as part of new massage technology to improve client outcomes in several ways. Among them: [1]
Client assessment and personalization: By analyzing research and clinical data, AI can suggest optimal massage techniques and length of sessions for specific conditions or injuries. Factoring in client preferences, medical history, and desired outcomes, AI systems then can provide therapists with evidence-based recommendations to help them make treatment decisions.
Remote consultations and support: AI-powered communication platforms can facilitate remote consultations between massage therapists and clients. By using video calls, therapists can visually assess client needs and demonstrate self-massage techniques. Even beyond that, AI algorithms would be able to analyze video recordings of client movements or posture and offer feedback and corrective exercises.
Business Management: AI also can improve the client experience by improving business management. For example, AI-powered chatbots or virtual assistants can handle online booking and scheduling tasks, allowing clients to easily book appointments, inquire about availability, and receive automated reminders. Additionally, AI can analyze client data, including preferences, past treatments, and feedback, to personalize communication, send targeted marketing messages, and provide tailored recommendations for future appointments.
Massage robot technology
From product performance to live-saving medical procedures robots across the globe are promising to make our lives easier. Robots are in virtually every industry - there are over 3.4 million industrial robots in the world today – and smart robots are increasingly at work in our homes.[2]
Integrating AI into massage devices can boost their performance. Though the use of sensors and AI algorithms, massage robot devices can adapt to the client’s body contours, provide customized pressure and intensity, and adjust their movements based on real-time feedback. The use of this massage therapy technology will enable massage therapists to delegate some of the manual procedures to massage robot devices so they can focus on more personalized or advanced therapies. [3]
Robotic massage technology also can address the need for massage therapy in areas where there is a shortage of skilled workers or for people who would like massage but prefer not to be touched.
Virtual reality in massage therapy technology
Virtual reality uses computer technology to create simulated three-dimensional environments in which participants can interact. A company called Esqapes is a pioneer of VR massage technology, building VR-augmented massage centers for customers to experience various virtual environments during their massage therapy sessions. As the use of the VR technology becomes more widespread, massage sessions can be customized to provide clients with a sensory-rich massage therapy experience.
Augmented reality combines real with digital world
Augmented reality (AR) integrates digital information with the user's environment in real time. Unlike virtual reality which creates a totally artificial environment, AR users experience a real-world environment with generated perceptual information overlaid on top of it.[4] Used as a massage technology, AR can overlay 3D scenes and sounds into the real physical space. By doing so, AR also can create an immersive calming environment to help clients relax thereby enhance the overall therapeutic effect of the massage.
Also, during a massage session, AR can offer real-time guidance. By wearing AR glasses that overlay anatomical information on the client's body, therapists could more accurately target the correct areas and adjust techniques based on immediate visual feedback.[5]
These advances in massage technology can take touch to a whole new level, more accurately treating areas that need correction, creating more customized treatments and providing clients with a sensory-rich healing experience.
[1] Editorial Staff,” Straight from the (Artificial) Horse’s Mouth: How Massage Therapists Can Use AI,” Massage Today, November 7, 2023. https://www.massagetoday.com/articles/1699026691020/massage-therapists-ai
[2] Howarth, Josh, “30+ Robotics Industry Stats and Trends (2024),” Exploding Topics, February 20, 2024. https://explodingtopics.com/blog/robotics-industry-stats
[3] Editorial Staff,” Straight from the (Artificial) Horse’s Mouth: How Massage Therapists Can Use AI”
[4] Gillis, Alexander, “What is augmented reality (AR)?” TechTarget, Accessed August 2, 2024. https://www.techtarget.com/whatis/definition/augmented-reality-AR
[5] ChatGPT response to inquiry about use of AR in Massage Therapy