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Massage therapy is the scientific manipulation of the soft tissues of the body to normalize those tissues. 

It consists of manual techniques that include applying fixed or movable pressure, holding, and/or causing movement of or to the body, using primarily the hands but sometimes other areas such as forearms, elbows, or feet. These techniques affect the musculoskeletal, circulatory - lymphatic, nervous, and other systems of the body.

Because massage usually involves applying touch with some degree of pressure, the  massage therapist must use touch with sensitivity to determine the optimal amount of pressure appropriate for each person.

Touch used with sensitivity also allows the massage therapist to receive useful information about the body, such as locating areas of muscle tension and other soft-tissue problems.