Massage Therapy
What is Massage Therapy?
Massage therapy is more than just a luxurious spa indulgence—it’s one of the oldest forms of healthcare known to humanity, with roots stretching back thousands of years to ancient China, India, and Egypt. At its core, massage therapy involves the manipulation of soft tissue such as muscles, tendons, and ligaments to relieve tension, improve circulation, and support the body’s natural healing process. It’s been used to treat everything from war wounds to daily stress, and despite modern advances in medicine, it’s still one of the most beloved and effective ways to help the body (and mind) chill out and reset.
On a physical level, massage therapy can ease muscle pain, improve flexibility, boost immune function, and help regulate hormones. Mentally, it can reduce stress hormones like cortisol, promote feel-good neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, and support better sleep, mood, and even digestion. Translation: it’s not just about feeling good in the moment—massage can have lasting effects that support both your emotional and physical well-being. Whether you’re an exhausted parent, a stressed-out scientist, a restaurant server, a teacher, or a nurse, your nervous system (and your shoulders) will thank you.
Now, before you start booking massages left and right, here’s the fine print: not all massage therapists are licensed the same way. In the U.S., the laws vary wildly by state—some require licensure (with formal education and exams), others require certification or registration, and a few are still in the Wild West era with no regulations at all. So if you’re choosing a massage therapist, it’s smart to check their credentials and ensure they’ve got the proper training for your state. *Note to self: A licensed therapist should know where your spleen isn’t, how to avoid massaging your kidneys too enthusiastically, and when that knot in your shoulder might actually be something more.
On a physical level, massage therapy can ease muscle pain, improve flexibility, boost immune function, and help regulate hormones. Mentally, it can reduce stress hormones like cortisol, promote feel-good neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, and support better sleep, mood, and even digestion. Translation: it’s not just about feeling good in the moment—massage can have lasting effects that support both your emotional and physical well-being. Whether you’re an exhausted parent, a stressed-out scientist, a restaurant server, a teacher, or a nurse, your nervous system (and your shoulders) will thank you.
Now, before you start booking massages left and right, here’s the fine print: not all massage therapists are licensed the same way. In the U.S., the laws vary wildly by state—some require licensure (with formal education and exams), others require certification or registration, and a few are still in the Wild West era with no regulations at all. So if you’re choosing a massage therapist, it’s smart to check their credentials and ensure they’ve got the proper training for your state. *Note to self: A licensed therapist should know where your spleen isn’t, how to avoid massaging your kidneys too enthusiastically, and when that knot in your shoulder might actually be something more.
Benefits
Massage therapy is tremendously helpful for a multitude of reasons. Below is a non-exhaustive list of the benefits of massage therapy.
Contraindications
While there are many benefits to massage therapy, there are also contraindications; situations where massage is not appropriate or may be unsafe. *Please note, this is not an exhaustive list of contraindications.