What type of service is massage therapy?

Asked by: Deontae Dach  |  Last update: July 12, 2025
Score: 4.3/5 (58 votes)

Massage therapists use their hands, fingers, elbows, and forearms to relieve pain and pressure in muscles and soft tissue. This can treat specific injuries or promote general wellness and relaxation. Massages can last anywhere from 15 to 90 minutes.

What type of service is massage?

Massage therapy is the manipulation of the body's soft tissues, such as muscles, tendons, ligaments and skin, by using various degrees of pressure and movement. It is typically performed by a professional called a massage therapist and it's often used as a treatment for various medical conditions.

What category does massage therapy fall under?

Massage therapy generally falls under the classification of "general health," which refers to a service or procedure that can provide a boost to a person's overall health and wellness but is not considered a vital treatment to alleviate a specific medical condition.

What industry is massage therapy considered?

In particular, we expressed support to maintain that massage therapy provided as an integrative health therapy should remain under the large umbrella of Other Health Practitioners (NAICS code 621399).

What field does massage therapy fall under?

Massage therapists play an important role in the field of allied health. They use touch and pressure to manipulate the soft tissues of the body to promote relaxation, relieve pain, reduce stress and promote the overall wellness of their clients.

What are the health benefits of massage? - CrowdScience podcast, BBC World Service

32 related questions found

Is massage therapy a medical service?

Definition. Clinical massage therapy is the manipulation of the soft tissues of the human body for therapeutic purposes. Based in ancient traditions, massage therapy is a professional health care discipline in the United States.

What type of therapy is massage therapy?

Massage is a type of integrative medicine in which a massage therapist rubs and kneads skin, muscles, tendons and ligaments. In massage therapy, a massage therapist rubs and kneads the soft tissues of your body. The soft tissues include muscle, connective tissue, tendons, ligaments and skin.

What is the business classification for massage therapy?

621399 - Offices of All Other Miscellaneous Health Practitioners.

Is massage therapy a type of physical therapy?

Massage therapy is not considered physical therapy. It primarily focuses on relaxation, stress reduction, and the relief of muscular tension through various hands-on techniques.

Is massage considered treatment?

Massage therapy is a clinically-oriented healthcare option that helps alleviate the Musculoskeletal disorders associated with everyday stress, physical manifestation of mental distress, muscular overuse and many persistent pain syndromes.

What is the classification of massage?

1.2: Classification of massage techniques on the basis of character of techniques. Stroking manipulations: Superficial stroking, effleurage. Pressure manipulations: Kneading, petrissage, friction. Tapotement/percussion manipulations. Vibratory manipulations.

What category does therapy fall under?

Unlike medical practitioners like NPs or MDs, therapists do not prescribe medications. This kind of care falls under the heading of “psychology,” which focuses on behavior and the mind.

What is the class code for massage therapy?

Detail for CIP Code 51.3501. Title: Massage Therapy/Therapeutic Massage. Definition: A program that prepares individuals to provide relief and improved health and well-being to clients through the application of manual techniques for manipulating skin, muscles, and connective tissues.

Is massage considered hospitality?

Most of these venues have a casual dining establishment or concession stands for people who get hungry during their visit. Many experts consider the relaxation industry a part of subsection this segment, which includes spas, massage studios, and other wellness-related services.

What kind of activity is massage?

About massage

Massage therapy is the practice of kneading or manipulating a person's muscles and other soft-tissue in order to improve their wellbeing or health. It is a form of manual therapy that includes holding, moving, and applying pressure to the muscles, tendons, ligaments and fascia.

What type of expense is a massage?

General health and wellness expenses for stress relief or overall relaxation aren't considered necessary business expenses by the IRS, whether they're mobile massages or salon massages. However, there's an exception for companies that provide wellness programs as part of their benefits package.

What does massage therapist fall under?

About This Career. Performs therapeutic massages of soft tissues and joints. May assist in the assessment of range of motion and muscle strength, or propose client therapy plans. This career is part of the Human Services cluster Personal Care Services pathway.

What category does physical therapy fall under?

Health sciences majors are designed to prepare students for careers in healthcare. This broad field encompasses anatomy, physiology, and healthcare administration courses, offering a versatile educational background for future physical therapists.

What type of program is massage therapy?

A person pursuing a career in massage therapy can earn an Associate of Applied Science or an Associate of Science in massage therapy, which teaches students the technical and mechanical aspects of massage therapy.

What industry does massage fall under?

For Massage Therapy/Massage Therapists use NAICS Business Industry Code 621399 instead (Other Miscellaneous Health Practitioners).

Is massage a specified service trade or business?

Healthcare professionals who provide services directly to their patients are SSTBs, including: Doctors, surgeons, dentists, and psychologists. Nurses and physician assistants. Physical, massage and speech therapists.

Is a massage therapist a healthcare provider?

This is just a small number of allied healthcare workers, and some estimates state that up to 60% of employees in healthcare are in allied care. So, by definition, massage therapy is part of healthcare services, and massage therapists are medical professionals.

Is massage a therapeutic service?

Massage therapy is used to help manage a health condition or enhance wellness. It involves manipulating the soft tissues of the body. Massage has been practiced in most cultures, both Eastern and Western, throughout human history, and was one of the earliest tools that people used to try to relieve pain.

What field is a massage therapist?

In fact, massage therapy is a growing field within healthcare. Be aware that educational programs vary in their emphasis on massage therapy as a form of healthcare. At NWHSU, for example, students are prepared to be healthcare professionals who provide massage therapy as part of an integrative healthcare team.

What is massage called in physical therapy?

In PT lingo, a massage is termed “soft-tissue mobilization” (STM) and is applied to a select region of the body, and only when indicated for treatment. In other words, not every knee or hip that walks in the door gets its surrounding tissues mobilized.