Their purpose is to encourage the ability of the body to heal itself. Nineteen state governments, at last count, license massage therapists. Their national organization, the American Massage Therapy Association, has more than twenty thousand members. All massage therapies manipulate the soft tissues of the body for the purpose of reducing muscle spasm and tension, improving range of motion, and improving the interactions of the different components of the soft tissues including fascia, blood flow, and lymphatic drainage. Many combine the different approaches.
All techniques have their avid adherents, their devoted followers.
All when practiced by competent, experienced, and responsible individuals can comfort, relieve symptoms, and help people cope with a chronic illness. I do recommended combination of the greater techniques, postural work, and trigger point work to those who can afford these services.