Massage (derived from the French massage "friction of kneading," possibly from Arabic massa "to touch, feel, handle" or from Latin massa "mass, dough" ) is a treatment and practice of manipulation of the soft body tissues with physical, functional, i.e. mechanical, medical/therapeutical, and in some cases emotional purposes and goals.

The massage is a manipulation

For the purposes enumerated upwards, they are being achieved through acting and manipulating over someone's body with pressure (structured, unstructured, stationary, and/or moving), tension, motion, or vibration done manually or with mechanical aids. Target tissues may include muscles, tendons, ligaments, skin, joints, or other connective tissue, as well as, lymphatic vessels, and/or organs of the gastrointestinal system. Massage can be applied with the hands, fingers, elbows, forearm, and feet, as far as there are over  different types of massage.  The most cited reasons for introducting a massage was patient demand and clinical effectiveness.

Effects

There are many beneficial effects of massage, including pain relief, stress reduction but also relief of many diseases.

Theories behind what massage might do include blocking pain signals to the brain (gate control theory), activating the parasympathetic nervous system, stimulating the release of endorphins and serotonin, preventing fibrosis or scar tissue, increasing the flow of lymph, and improving sleep.

Who can make a massage and in which cases?

Massage can be performed by a professional Massage Therapist, or by other health care professionals, such as Chiropractors, Osteopaths, Athletic trainers, and/or Physical Therapists. Massage therapists work in hospitals as allied health professioners, in nursing homes, sports and fitness facilities, spas, beauty salons, cruise ships, private offices, and travel to private residences or businesses.  Contraindications to massage include, deep vein thrombosis, bleeding disorders or taking blood thinners such as Warfarin, damaged blood vessels, weakened bones from cancer, osteoporosis, or fractures, and fever.

How massage is done?

 

In professional settings, massage involves the client being treated while lying on a massage table, sitting upright in a massage chair, or lying on a pad on the floor. Except for modalities such as Acupressure, Shiatsu, Tui Na, Thai Massage, or Barefoot Deep Tissue, the massage subject is generally unclothed or partially unclothed, also referred to as disrobed, and their body would be "draped" with towels or sheets. The client and therapist should discuss the type of treatment expected which includes the intention of the massage (relaxation, invigoration, etc.), preferred techniques, areas to be massaged and to be avoided, and the amount of pressure that is comfortable. They will then gather the patients medical history, informed consent, and data on their current physical condition.