按摩是指通过合格的专业人员通过身体，功能以及某些情况下的心理目的和目标来影响软组织的实践。按摩涉及通过手动或机械辅助的压力（结构化，非结构化，固定和/或移动），张力，运动或振动作用于客户的身体并激发其身体。目标组织可以包括肌肉，腱，韧带，皮肤，关节或其他结缔组织，以及淋巴管和/或器官。可以用手，手指，肘部，前臂和脚进行按摩。
Massage is the practice of influencing soft tissue by physical, functional, and in some cases psychological purposes and goals by accredited professionals. Massage involves acting on and inspiring the client's body with pressure (structured, unstructured, stationary, and/or moving), tension, motion, or vibration done manually or with mechanical aids. Target tissues may include muscles, tendons, ligaments, skin, joints, or other connective tissue, as well as lymphatic vessels, and/or organs. Massage can be applied with the hands, fingers, elbows, forearm, and feet. (Source: Australian Association of Massage Therapists)