Massage therapy is a hands-on therapeutic practice that involves the manipulation of the body's soft tissues, including muscles, tendons, ligaments, and fascia, to promote relaxation, alleviate pain, reduce stress, and improve overall well-being. It is both an ancient healing art and a modern healthcare profession that draws on various techniques and modalities to address a wide range of physical and emotional issues.

Massage therapy offers a range of physical and mental health benefits, including:
- Reducing muscle tension and soreness.
- Improving blood circulation and lymphatic drainage.
- Enhancing joint mobility and flexibility.
- Relieving stress, anxiety, and depression.
- Alleviating headaches and migraines.
- Boosting the immune system.
- Enhancing sleep quality.
- Reducing symptoms of certain medical conditions, such as fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis.

Manual osteopathy, often referred to simply as osteopathy, is a holistic healthcare practice that focuses on diagnosing and treating various musculoskeletal and somatic dysfunctions within the body. It uses a hands-on, manual approach to assess, diagnose, and treat a wide range of conditions, emphasizing the body's innate ability to heal itself. Manual osteopaths typically focus on non-invasive manual techniques and do not prescribe medications or perform surgeries.