Massage Therapy

• Introduction to massage therapy
• What is massage therapy, and what are the types of massage?
• Who provides massage therapy?
• What do massage therapists do in treating patients?
• What are side effects and risks of massage therapy?
• What are some other points to consider about massage therapy as complementary and alternative medicine?
• What are the health benefits of massage therapy?
• Where can people get more information about massage therapy?

Massage therapy is a practice that dates back thousands of years. There are many types of massage therapy; all involve manipulating the muscles and other soft tissues of the body. In the United States, massage therapy is sometimes part of conventional medicine. In other instances, it is part of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). This Backgrounder provides a general overview of massage therapy used as CAM and suggests some resources you can use to learn more.

Key points

• People use massage therapy as CAM for a variety of health-related purposes, from treating specific diseases and conditions to general wellness.



• Scientists do not fully know what changes occur in the body during massage, whether they influence health, and, if so, how. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) is sponsoring studies to answer these questions and identify the purposes for which massage may be most helpful.



• There appear to be few risks to massage therapy if it is used appropriately and provided by a trained massage professional.



• Tell your health care providers about any CAM therapy you are considering or using, including massage therapy. This helps to ensure safe and coordinated care.