Massage can be defined as “manual soft tissue manipulation, and includes holding, causing
movement, and/or applying pressure to the body.”1 Massage therapy is the practice of
massage by accredited professionals to achieve positive health and well-being (physical,
functional, and psychological outcomes) in clients.1,2 As a distinct allied health and/or
complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) practice, massage therapy encompasses
different types of massage originating from Western and Eastern practice, alongside the use
of various supplementary therapeutic modalities e.g. cupping and dry needling.2
In Australia, a recent national survey showed that 70% of respondents used one of 17
forms of CAM, with 45% of respondents having visited a CAM practitioner in the preceding
year.3 CAM use in the United States of America appear to be similar to Australia.4 However
CAM use in the United Kingdom was more protracted, with ten per cent of survey
respondents receiving treatment from a CAM practitioner in a 12-month period.5 Amongst
the numerous forms of CAM surveyed, massage therapy ranked as one of the most
commonly used.