Massage therapy involves the manipulation of muscle and connective tissue to promote circulation of blood, relieve muscle tension, induce relaxation and encourage healing. A therapist may use her hands, forearms, elbows, feet and even warm stones. Plant essential oils may be added to the massage oils to enhance relaxation and to augment relief of pain and inflammation.

There are a number of types of therapeutic massage ranging from the long, kneading strokes of Swedish massage to the deep bodywork developed by Ida Rolf to acupressure, an Asian technique that stimulates key acupuncture points.

Massage is to work and act on the body with pressure. Massage techniques are commonly applied with hands, fingers, elbows, knees, forearm, feet, or a device. The purpose of massage is generally for the treatment of stress or pain.

In professional settings, clients are treated while lying on a massage table, sitting in a massage chair, or lying on a mat on the floor. In amateur settings, a general purpose surface like a bed or the floor is more common. Aquatic massage and bodywork is performed with recipients submersed or floating in a warm-water therapy pool.