Beyond Relaxation: What Makes a Massage Therapeutic?

Massage therapy is often associated with spa days, soft music, and relaxation. While those elements can be deeply restorative, massage therapy is far more than a luxury.

Research has shown that the health benefits of massage therapy extend well beyond relaxation. Therapeutic massage can support healing, pain relief, stress reduction, and overall well-being by positively influencing multiple systems of the body.

At Abundant Life Wellness, we believe in the power of intentional, therapeutic touch to promote relief, restoration, and whole-body health. Relaxation is valuable, but massage therapy can also play an important role in supporting the muscular, cardiovascular, lymphatic, nervous, and endocrine systems, among others.

So what makes massage therapy truly therapeutic? Let’s explore.

What Makes a Massage Therapeutic?

Every body is different, and every person has a unique health background influenced by genetics, environment, illness, mental health, and more. The most important factor to consider when comparing a therapeutic massage to a spa treatment is personalization. At Abundant Life Wellness, we rely on four key elements to ensure a therapeutic massage: 

1. Assessment: All clients are required to complete a health history form prior to their first session. This allows the therapist to understand past or current health challenges as well as client goals to determine the best course of action. 

2. Intention: There are many massage therapy techniques, and each are chosen for a purpose (e.g., pain relief, lymphatic flow, easing muscle tension). 

3. Pressure & Technique Variety: Not every massage needs to be deep to be effective. For example, a client with a diagnosis of frozen shoulder would likely benefit from a deep tissue massage whereas a client dealing with the side effects of an autoimmune disease might benefit from more gentle techniques to improve inflammatory responses. 

4. Integration with Whole Health: Massage therapy doesn’t have to be (and probably shouldn’t be) a standalone service. Massage can complement medical care, stress management, or recovery.

   
   

Beyond Relaxation: The Health Benefits of Therapeutic Massage

The health benefits of receiving therapeutic massage are numerous. Each system of the body can be impacted in a positive way. Though these benefits aren’t exhaustive and massage therapy shouldn’t be viewed as a “cure” for any diagnosed illness, clients (in partnership with their medical providers) may experience many of the rewards of receiving massage.  

Body systems that may be affected by massage therapy:

Muscular System	decreases muscle tension, reduces muscle spasm, decreases soreness, fatigue, and muscle recovery time
Cardiovascular System	improves local circulation by allowing blood to flow more freely, decreases blood pressure, supports venous return
Nervous System	activates the parasympathetic nervous system response, supports the biological rhythms of the body, changes the levels of chemical messengers in the body, promotes emotional balance
Lymphatic & Immune Systems	boosts immune function, increases lymph circulation, decreases swelling
Endocrine System	naturally boosts oxytocin levels, reduces stress levels and cortisol, assists in hormone regulation, supports thyroid health, enhances insulin sensitivity, increases endorphins, serotonin, and dopamine
Skeletal System	improves posture and body alignment, relieves stiff joints, decreases inflammation, restores range of motion, releases restrictions in fascia
Digestive System	activates body’s “rest and digest” state, may relieve bloating and constipation, supports chronic digestive disorders
Respiratory System	helps establish deep, free, natural breathing patterns, loosens mucus in the lungs and aids mucus expulsion, improves respiratory function
Urinary System	increases blood volume and filtration in the kidneys, promotes urine production by activating the parasympathetic nervous system
Integumentary System	exfoliates skin cells, increases scar tissue mobility, nourishes and conditions skin, stimulates sebaceous glands which improves softness, suppleness, and elasticity of the skin

Who Can Benefit from Therapeutic Massage? 

The answer is simple. Everyone can benefit from therapeutic massage. Our mission at Abundant Life Wellness is to provide safe, nurturing massage therapy for individuals of all health backgrounds, including those who are medically frail or living with cancer. Massage can benefit people living with chronic pain, caregivers experiencing burnout, people receiving hospice or palliative care, and the list goes on.  Anyone seeking intentional, restorative touch beyond surface-level relaxation can benefit from therapeutic massage. 

How to Choose the Right Massage Therapist

Every massage therapist has a unique approach, training background, and style of touch. What feels supportive for one person may feel too intense, or too light, for another.

When choosing a massage therapist:

• Ask about their training and areas of specialization

• Don’t hesitate to ask, “What’s the goal of this session?”

• Communicate openly about pressure, comfort, and your needs

• Speak up if something doesn’t feel right—adjustments are always part of therapeutic care

Look for therapists who pursue continuing education and specialized training aligned with your health goals.

Massage Therapy: More Than a Luxury

Massage therapy is not just a treat. It’s a meaningful tool for supporting physical, emotional, and nervous system health. While insurance coverage is still limited, even a single session can provide lasting benefits.

If regular massage isn’t accessible, consider asking your therapist about simple self-care practices or exercises you can do at home between sessions.

Relaxation is part of healing, but therapeutic massage offers benefits that extend far beyond the table.

At Abundant Life Wellness, we would be honored to support you in the ways we know how. Our office is open to all and ready to walk alongside you on your wellness journey.

Contact Abundant Life Wellness

(717) 321-6752

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About Lynneah

Lynneah Smith is a Licensed Massage Therapist, Certified Manual Lymphatic Drainage

Therapist, Registered Yoga Teacher, and Owner of Abundant Life Wellness, LLC. She is a hospice/palliative care and oncology trained LMT as well as a trained End-of-Life Doula. Lynneah believes in the ability of compassionate touch to support the body, mind, and spirit through every stage of life.