Massage therapists massage clients and administer body treatments for relaxation and remedial purposes.

Massage therapists may perform the following tasks:

• massage the soft tissues of the human body, including muscles, tendons and ligaments, to assist healing
• use massage techniques to enhance relaxation and wellbeing
• use techniques such as muscle stretching to assist with recovery and to enhance muscle performance
• use finger pressure techniques in therapies such as Shiatsu and reflexology
• use complementary aids, such as infra-red lamps, wet compresses, ice, essential oils and herbal or mineral therapies to promote recovery, relaxation and wellbeing.

Massage therapists generally work in three broad (sometimes overlapping) areas:

Remedial Massage This is a paramedical massage treatment to assist in healing parts of the body which have been injured or left inactive due to age, illness or injury.

Relaxation Massage This combines massage techniques to promote relaxation, improve circulation, relieve muscle tension and increase range of movement.

Sports Massage This combines different massage techniques to enhance sports performance and recuperation and prevent injury. It can include pre-event, post-event and maintenance techniques.

Massage therapists may specialise in one or more of the following techniques:

Alexander Technique uses non-manipulative touch to improve coordination and posture.

Aromatherapy combines the therapeutic properties of essential oils with other massage techniques to promote health and wellbeing.

Feldenkrais uses movement sequences to expand awareness and self-image.

Kinesiology uses methods that study motion, in particular how muscles act and coordinate to move the body, for detecting and correcting energy imbalances and movements in the body.

Reflexology uses thumb and finger pressure on the reflex points (nerve endings) of the feet (which correspond to all areas of the body) for therapeutic and diagnostic purposes.

Shiatsu uses a system of finger pressure along acupressure meridians to release discomfort and re-balance energy.

Swedish Massage refers to a collection of techniques designed to relax muscles by applying pressure to them against deeper muscles and bones, and rubbing in the same direction as the flow of blood returning to the heart.

The Job Guide Book