What Is Massage Therapy?

Massage therapy is the skilled manipulation of the body’s soft tissues—muscles, tendons, ligaments, and fascia—to support healing, reduce tension, and restore balance. Therapists use techniques such as applying steady or rhythmic pressure, stretching, holding, and mobilizing areas of the body. While hands are the primary tool, forearms and elbows may also be used to target deeper layers of tissue.

At its core, massage therapy helps the body do what it was designed to do: heal, recover, and thrive.

The Power of Touch

Massage therapy is both a science and an art. Practitioners are trained to assess the body and apply just the right amount of pressure to relieve tension, improve circulation, and restore optimal function. But just as important as technique is the power of touch itself—it communicates care and creates a healing connection that many patients describe as deeply grounding and restorative.

Why It Works

When muscles are overused or stressed, they can accumulate waste products like lactic acid, leading to soreness, stiffness, and spasms. Massage therapy increases circulation, helping the body flush out these toxins while bringing oxygen-rich blood to tired tissues—speeding up recovery, reducing pain, and improving mobility.

Proven Benefits of Therapeutic Massage

Research continues to support what massage therapists and their clients have known for centuries: massage offers real, measurable health benefits.

Massage has been shown to:

  • Reduce pain and muscle tension

  • Improve circulation and lymphatic flow

  • Decrease stress and anxiety

  • Lower blood pressure and heart rate

  • Improve immune system function

  • Enhance sleep and relaxation

  • Support emotional well-being and self-esteem

  • Aid recovery from injury, surgery, or illness

  • Improve focus and mental clarity in the workplace

Scientific Support

Numerous studies confirm massage therapy’s broad benefits:

  • Medical students receiving massage before exams experienced reduced anxiety and improved immune markers.

  • Cancer patients reported less pain and anxiety after massage at the James Cancer Hospital in Ohio.

  • Mothers grieving the loss of a child showed reduced depression following massage therapy.

  • Premature infants gained more weight and developed faster with regular massage.

  • Office workers who received chair massages were more alert, productive, and less stressed.

  • Burn patients reported decreased pain, anxiety, and itching after massage sessions.

  • Surgical patients recovered faster and with fewer complications when massage was part of their care plan.

Covered by Insurance?

Therapeutic massage is often covered by insurance when prescribed or combined with chiropractic care. If you’re interested in incorporating massage therapy into your wellness plan, ask us how to check your benefits.