Unit 5
Massage Therapy

Massage therapy is commonly described as a therapeutic tool to loosen and stretch muscles and tissue. Others add assessment and manual application of touch to the soft tissues (muscles, ligaments, and tendons) of the body using the hand, foot, knee, arm, and elbow. Whichever definition is used, massage is a relaxation therapy and has been a method to promote health for centuries.

Objectives

When you have completed this unit, you should be able to

1. define “massage therapy,” and discuss the nature of massage therapy.
2. identify situations where massage therapy is commonly used.
3. determine the effectiveness of massage therapy by analysing the available research.
4. identify trends and issues related to the use of massage therapy.