Massage therapy is the manipulation of the body's soft tissues, usually to help manage a health condition or enhance wellness. It can relieve pain, reduce stress, improve blood circulation, and heal muscle injuries.
During the procedure, the therapist rubs and kneads the soft tissues, including muscle, connective tissue, tendons, ligaments, and skin, generally varying the amount of pressure and movement.
Massage therapy is often used as a complementary therapy or as part of integrative medicine, although it may be used as the sole treatment when used for relaxation or in the treatment of stress.
Unlike most of the other therapies in this section of our guide, massage therapy is mainstream, and has long had a role in both Eastern and Western medicine, including the ancient civilizations of China, Egypt, Greece, India, Japan, Korea, Mesopotamia, and Rome. Today, massage is offered in specialized massage parlors or clinics, or as integrative medicine in alternative medicine programs and in conventional medical clinics and facilities.
Massage therapy reduces pain and muscle injuries and supports various health conditions. It is believed to reduce muscle tension, promote better circulation, support the immune system, reduce stress and anxiety, promote relaxation, and improve sleep. It has also been used to heal faster from soft tissue injuries, reduce pain and swelling during pregnancy, relieve fibromyalgia symptoms, and relieve constipation.
Conventional research supports the use of massage therapy for back, neck, and shoulder pain, although it is more useful for acute pain and less effective at treating chronic pain.
In European countries, an individual who is trained professionally to give massages is known as a masseur or masseuse, depending on gender. In the United States, these individuals might also be known by these terms, but they are often called massage therapists when certified and licensed. In Canada, they are regulated as health professionals and called registered massage therapists.
Usually, clients are treated while lying on a massage table, sitting in a massage chair, or lying on a mat on the floor.
There are several techniques, the most common in Western countries being Swedish or classical massage. This is the core of most massage training programs. Other techniques or styles include deep tissue massage, hot stone massage, sports massage, clinical massage, prenatal massage, lymphatic drainage massage, and others.
Acupressure, Aromatherapy, Ayurveda, Reflexology, and Shiatsu include massage elements but are covered in other parts of this guide.
Recommended Resources
American Massage Therapy Association
AMTA is a non-profit professional association serving member massage therapists, massage students, and massage schools. Its mission statement, core values, and member benefits are listed, along with its boards and committees, position statements, awards, national elections, core documents, scholarships, and advertising and sponsorship opportunities. Headquartered in Evanston, Illinois, the address and contacts, including organization chapters, are posted.
https://www.amtamassage.org/
Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals
Founded in 1987, ABMP is a national membership association that offers a comprehensive program of massage liability and business property insurance, as well as a package of member benefits that include continuing education hours, member discounts, a free business website, and a subscription to "Massage & Bodywork" magazine. Headquartered in Golden, Colorado, its address, service hours, and contacts are published on its site. Member benefits and levels are listed.
https://www.abmp.com/
Offering services throughout Australia, Body Moves has locations in Sydney and Oatley, employing several therapists, and offering private massage in one of its three clinics in Sydney or coordinating multiple therapists in any location in the country, for individual and corporate clients. Accredited members of the Australian Traditional Medicine Society, its qualifications and professional associations are stated, contacts provided, and its services are listed, with online booking capabilities.
http://www.bodymoves.net.au/
Certified Registered Massage Therapist Association
CRMTA is a professional association of registered massage therapists in Alberta, Canada. Member benefits include professional liability insurance coverage and a range of membership options and benefits highlighted here. Approved continuing education courses and recognized RMT education programs are set forth, and the types of CRMTA memberships, fee schedules, payment options, fees, forms, and information sheets are posted, and its head office address, hours, and contacts are included.
https://crmta.com/
Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation
COMTA accredits educational institutions and programs offering instruction in massage therapy, bodywork, esthetics, and skin care. Recognized by the United States Department of Education as a specialized accrediting agency, the Commission is governed by a commission of volunteers consisting of from ten to thirteen elected commissioners. Training, endorsed curriculum, accreditation, and a member directory are set forth. Contacts and volunteer opportunities are posted.
https://comta.org/
Massage Library with Dr. James Mally
A library membership will grant access to more than 900 organized and cross-referenced massage techniques, as well as real-time updates, insider tips and tricks, and a massage library newsletter. Members are encouraged to complete a member profile. Located in Roseville, California, Dr. Mally is also available for orthopedic massage therapy for musculoskeletal problems. Free videos are also available. The schedule of workshops is posted, and an online shopping area offers various resources.
https://massagelibrary.com/
Created for the Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals (ABMP), the site specializes in general information about massage therapy and career information in the field of massage therapy. Those interested in becoming a therapist can determine what they need to know, including a downloadable guide and a directory of schools in the area. Massage therapists can learn about ABMP membership benefits, and read a copy of Massage & Bodywork" magazine, published by the ABMP.
https://www.massagetherapy.com/
Founded in 1990, the Foundation was incorporated for charitable, scientific, and educational purposes to advance the science and art of massage therapy through education on the benefits of the service, to promote the development of knowledge, scientific advancements, and community services in the massage therapy field, and to secure and provide funding for research, education, and charitable community outreach initiatives. Research, education, and community service topics are defined.
https://massagetherapyfoundation.org/
This career guide to natural healing schools lists schools by location and subject area. Through the site, prospective students can compare and research listed schools and programs, find traditional classrooms or online alternative medicine programs, request free information from specific schools, and explore education options and guides to various career paths. Financial aid programs and information is also provided, and an informational blog is included.
https://www.naturalhealers.com/
OriGym is a leading fitness education provider in the United Kingdom, offering a wide range of fitness courses and qualifications, including personal training, specialist fitness courses, and online nutrition courses. Its Level 4 Sports Massage Diploma course provides the essential skills, knowledge, and practical experience to pursue a career in sports massage. Completion qualifies for freelance and. employed opportunities as a Level 4 sports massage therapist.
https://www.origym.ie/course/level-4-sports-massage-therapy/
San Francisco School of Massage & Bodywork
Training massage therapists and bodywork professionals since 1969, the San Francisco, California school includes a campus and a student clinic, in separate locations within the city. Its 600-hour massage therapist program covers a variety of massage and bodywork modalities, and its massage clinic provides opportunities for students to practice what they are learning on actual clients while providing a service to clients. A continuing education program is also available.
https://www.sfsm.edu/
The Thai massage boutique is located in central London. Fully insured and licensed, it has two branches serving central London, which are featured here, with directions and contacts. Offering aromatherapy massage, deep tissue massage, foot massage, four hands massage, head, neck and shoulder massage, Thai combination massage, and traditional Thai massage, services may be booked online. A photo tour of the facilities is available, and contacts are posted on the site.
https://www.thai-kosai.com/
Situated in Aargau, in one of the most northerly cantons of Switzerland, the massage studio features a massage table with three electric motors, with individual height adjustment for the upper body and pelvic area, and manual adjustment of the head, foot, and arm area is also possible. The studio offers flexible opening times, as the studio is adjacent to their private living space, and thirty-minute pampering programs are available for those who don't have time for a full-body massage.
https://www.wellness-fee.ch/EN/index.htm
