massage therapy

noun

: the manipulation of the muscles and other soft tissues of the body (as by stroking, kneading, or rubbing with one or both hands or an instrument) by a massage therapist for therapeutic purposes (as to relieve pain, promote healing, or improve physical functioning)

Last year, 42 percent of American adults used some type of alternative care—herbal therapy, chiropractic, acupuncture, massage therapy or any of a number of other methods not taught in medical school, according to a nationwide telephone survey …

—Jane E. Brody

Examples of massage therapy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Additionally, with the rising demand for massage therapy services, the industry faces a growing shortage of qualified therapists, with the number of massage therapy schools in the U.S. dropping from 1,600 in 2009 to around 900 today. —Dennis Ledenkof, Forbes, 18 Oct. 2024

Myofascial release is a type of massage therapy that uses gentle, constant pressure to relieve pain and loose muscles. —Amy Brownstein, Ms, Rdn, Verywell Health, 31 Oct. 2024

Personalized healthcare can vary greatly from solution to solution and can include things such as massage therapy, physical therapy, psychotherapy, exercise classes, nutrition plans and more. —John Graham Harper, Forbes, 21 Oct. 2024

As members begin their journey, they will be provided with a recovery welcome kit, an in-depth medical and fitness assessment, one-on-one coaching focused on nutrition, sleep and fitness, massage therapy, and Function Health’s lab work analysis. —Colleen Reilly, Forbes, 19 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1888, in the meaning defined above