Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)

Frequently Asked Questions

7. What are manipulative and body-based practices? - cont'd

There are over 80 types of massage therapy. In all of them, therapists press, rub, and otherwise manipulate the muscles and other soft tissues of the body, often varying pressure and movement. They most often use their hands and fingers, but may use their forearms, elbows, or feet. The goal of the therapy is usually to relax the soft tissues, increase delivery of blood and oxygen to the massaged areas, warm them, and decrease pain. (Answer continues on next page.)