Massage therapy, like acupuncture, is a therapy that was created thousands of years ago and used by the ancient Chinese, Hindus and Persians to address a variety of ailments. Today, while often included as a luxury treatment at spas, massage therapy is increasingly recognized by medical professionals as an important therapeutic application for certain health conditions. The use of massage therapy has led many who lead a stressful lifestyle to achieve a higher sense of emotional well being and relief from the physical side effects of stress.
There are many variations and types of massage. The best known is Swedish massage, though practitioners also incorporate aromatherapy, hot stone, and deep tissue techniques. Professional massage therapists generally study at an accredited institution and receive a variety of certifications based on their level of knowledge and demonstration of competence.

As with chiropractic treatment, the use of massage therapy is increasingly recognized and covered by traditional healthcare insurance carriers.