What is massage therapy?

Massage therapy is the assessment and treatment of the soft tissues of the body. Therapeutic massage is used to prevent dysfunction, to relieve pain, to restore or augment function and to promote health.

Used alone or in conjunction with other medical, pharmaceutical or physical modalities, massage therapy can be effective in the treatment of many different conditions: soft tissue injuries and dysfunctions, chronic painful conditions, and many different stressful illnesses. Massage therapy can help to improve relaxation and reduce stress. Infants, seniors, sports enthusiasts, office workers, people of all ages and walks of life can benefit from the healing touch of massage therapy.

Massage therapy encompasses a wide range of different techniques which can affect the circulatory, musculoskeletal, nervous, and respiratory systems, and which form the basis of massage therapy treatment. Hydrotherapy, stretching and strengthening exercises, instruction in proper breathing, and assessment and correction of posture are also tools that massage therapists regularly employ in their treatment protocols.

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