Massage Therapy Definition

Americans get massages because they want to alleviate a medical condition, reduce stress and be pampered. Each year massage therapy becomes more popular. According to the American Massage Therapy Association, "Twenty-five percent of Americans ages 35 to 44 have talked to their doctor or health care provider about massage therapy this year (2009), compared to 14 percent in 2008."

What It Is

• Massage therapy, or therapeutic massage, boosts both your physical and mental health. Soft tissue manipulation is performed using a part of the body or a prop. The person giving the massage may use his hands, forearms, elbows and feet to manipulate the soft tissue. Soft tissue includes tendons, ligaments, muscles and connective tissue. Props are inanimate objects used to give a massage, like a tennis ball. When you receive a massage it is important to communicate with the practitioner if you feel any pain or would like more pressure.

What It Is Not

• Although other healing therapies are often viewed under the massage therapy umbrella, they are not technically massage. The University of Minnesota says that massage therapy "excludes some kinds of bodywork, such as craniosacral therapy, Traeger, and Feldenkrais." Energy work like Reiki and Quantum Touch is also not considered massage therapy.

Chair Massage

• A chair massage is a great way to take a break or experience your first massage. Pricing is in 10-minute increments and usually costs $1 per minute. Tipping is considerate but optional. Massage chairs may look strange and intimidating because they are unfamiliar and ergonomically designed. Don't let that stop you from getting a relaxing and therapeutic massage. A massage chair provides the ultimate in comfort for the client and the optimum leverage for the practitioner.

  To receive massage therapy in a massage chair, you sit down so your chest is resting against the place your back normally would. Approach the massage chair facing forward. Straddle the chair, place your face in the cradle and relax. The face cradle is at the top of the chair and looks like a horseshoe. The practitioner will then adjust the face cradle to accommodate you and perform the chair massage.

Table Massage

• Massage therapy is commonly performed on a massage table for 30 to 120 minutes. Designed to be comfortable for both the client and the practitioner, it is a foam-padded table that has adjustable legs. There may or may not be a face cradle or face hole at the top of the table. Oil or a water-based cream is used to improve the table massage experience.

  Two sheets will cover the massage table. When the practitioner leaves the room, take your clothes off and lie face down between the two sheets. You can leave your underwear on if that makes you feel more comfortable. The practitioner will come back in and perform the table massage. Relax and breathe deeply.