What is Massage Therapy?

Massage therapy is manual manipulation of soft body tissues (muscle, connective tissue, tendons and ligaments) to enhance a person’s health and well-being. There are dozens of types of massage therapy methods (also called modalities).

People seek massage therapy for a variety of reasons – to reduce stress and anxiety, relax muscles, rehabilitate injuries, reduce pain, and promote overall health and wellness. At Northwestern, you are not simply going to a massage school – you are studying to be a healthcare professional who provides massage therapy.

Types of massage therapy

While there are several types of massage, two fundamental categories are:

• Rehabilitative massage – also known as deep tissue, medical, therapeutic or clinical massage; practiced in many settings like clinics, hospitals and chiropractic offices
• Relaxation massage – also known as Swedish massage; practiced in settings like spas, wellness centers and resorts