Exercise vs. Massage: The Power in Rehabilitation

From the Author

Below is the original post exchange for reference:

There’s a conversation in the massage community here on good ‘ole FB about confusing the industry and public with so many names… As in any profession, there’s a difference between a license title and a marketing title. I personally have a 30- year old permit to practice Massage, but I never say I’m a Massage Therapist because I don’t provide massage services I haven’t “given a massage” in over 20 years.

The therapeutic approach I use includes some manual manipulation with my hands ( or elbow) on their tissue while guiding client-activated movement. We also incorporate corrective exercises in the session.

If somebody’s looking for a massage and books with me, they’ll be sorely disappointed. My Active Modulation Therapy® session’s goals, client experience and responsibility, and treatment plan structure might resemble a massage in about 2%. The other 98% is not Massage. The reason I am sharing this is because the concern is over the titles that professionals use and how the consumer and the industry is all over the place. 

Massage is wonderful. I have Massage Therapist practicing at Diamond Pain Relief & Wellness in San Francisco. But… when we have a new client reach out, we have a conversation about what their clinical goals are and what they’re looking for experientially It’s all about marketing to attract the best fit clients and setting the expectation beforehand so we and our clients are thrilled.

When it comes to a business title, i always advise a service provider focus on the benefits rather than just listing modalities or credentials. Instead of simply stating "licensed massage therapist," They are better off sharing something like, "stress relief specialist” It sets an expectation of the outcome/ results The session may include many modalities such as stretching, massage, breath work, as long as it’s in the Scope Of Practice.

A non- modality specific title also opens up much more opportunity to work with people during pandemics, snowstorms, sick kids at home … by providing outcomes and results over video visits. Massage Therapists cannot touch clients through a video camera. If they are limited to only referring to themselves as MTs, providing actual hands-on massage…They’re stuck. if they’re giving education or guidance on self Massage, now their title is educator rather than therapist. (during the pandemic I taught a program called “clinic from anywhere“. ( it was fab BTW , and available in recorded self- paced program now)

But people who came in thinking they were a Massage Therapist had the hardest time wrapping their brain around how they could provide services over video. Where my yoga instructors, physical therapists, personal trainers, chiropractors , even hairstylists, quickly understood they were not limited to just what they did with their hands! 

The title we pick shares how we can enhance their lives rather than just the name of 1 of the modalities we do. I’m always excited to help professionals create a juicy title.

My title has been “Pain Reliever & Mover Improver” for years. Other therapists who become trained and hold a certificate in Active Modulation Therapy® also use that title. It describes exactly what we do, in that order! There’s no confusion. and if someone wants to know HOW we relieve their pain and help them move easier… Well, that begins a deeper conversation. ( I’m not worried about confusing the industry… they’re pretty smart. ) Together, we’re even more brilliant.

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My reply:

Excellent post for clarification.

You mentioned that you’re not using your massage license and not practicing massage. If I understand correctly, are you saying that whatever you are doing does not require possessing a massage license?

Regarding liability insurance, do you currently hold professional liability insurance as a massage therapist while engaging in work that is not massage?

If the answer is no, then why would you call yourself a massage therapist? If you’re not practicing massage, you don’t need to use that title. Honestly, as a member of the massage therapy community, I feel strongly that the title of “massage therapist” should only be used by those who actively and passionately practice massage and are proud to represent this profession.

You mentioned practicing Active Modulation Therapy. Is this therapy conducted using machinery? Does it require a specific license to perform?

Irene, it’s simple: if someone is performing soft tissue manipulations using their hands, by all means, they are practicing massage. While part of our work can involve complementary movement therapies—active or passive modulation techniques—these should serve as supportive tools. The majority of healing stimulation comes from manual applications through massage. This is crucial to achieving sustainable results—not merely inhibiting pain or providing temporary relief but preventing surgeries and promoting lasting health improvements.

However, if you are not using your massage license and not practicing soft tissue mobilization in the form of massage, then, respectfully, you should not call yourself a massage therapist.

Best wishes,

Boris

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she replied

Boris, thank you for your contribution. For clarification I am using my massage permit because it’s the only permit appropriate for my city which does require it.

I don’t use the title “Massage Therapist “ because I am not “actively and passionately practicing massage” so we are in alignment .

Active Modulation Therapy is not conducted with any machinery, although many providers use exercise equipment, resistant, bands, or dumbbells

I disagree with your comment where you say ” the majority of healing stimulation comes from manual application through Massage“

there’s lots of interventions that can stimulate healing that have nothing to do with manual manipulation or massage.

As my original post stated, I agree with your last sentence, I do not call myself a Massage Therapist

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my reply 

Please reread what you wrote: “For clarification I am using my massage permit because it’s the only permit appropriate for my city which does require it.

I don’t use the title “Massage Therapist “ because I am not “actively and passionately practicing massage” so we are in alignment .”

Irene, please read it again carefully. It doesn’t make sense. Honestly, speaking as a friend, it even sounds fraudulent. You’re saying, “I’m using a massage permit, but I’m not a massage therapist”? Really?

You are operating under a massage therapy license, using professional liability insurance, and performing so mething else entirely?

Do you realize that this group is called the World Massage Festival & Massage Therapy Hall of Fame? It’s about massage! There are so many types of massage—Swedish, medical, sports massage, various forms of oriental massage techniques, and more or less clinically oriented styles. But at the core, massage is what defines the work we do.

You said :”I disagree with your comment where you say ” the majority of healing stimulation comes from manual application through Massage”

I’m very busy right now, but when I have time, I will elaborate further on my claim.

Best wishes

PS. When reviewing all healthcare fields, particularly those related to physical medicine and physical treatments, none possess the comprehensive power to stimulate and heal as effectively as we massage therapists do. The foundation of any treatment methodology lies in its physiological effects on the human body.

To form an informed opinion, I encourage you to carefully consider this statement: “What other methods of physical stimulation have the ability to affect and balance the autonomic nervous system as effectively as massage?”

https://www.medicalmassage-edu.com/.../physiological...

For a deeper understanding of the profound healing power of massage, as well as its simplicity in application and comprehension, please click on the link provided.

https://www.medicalmassage-edu.com/.../holism-vs-holistic...

While reading, note that this research paper was published in one of the most respected and authoritative medical journals. It represents data we can regard as definitive and well-established.

https://www.medicalmassage-edu.com/.../massaging-muscles...

Taking the time to review this material will hopefully lead you to agree on the unique and comprehensive power of massage therapy.

Best wishes,

Dear Readers,

She shared links to references about the effects of exercise and movement therapy on autonomic activities. To save time, I briefly explained in my responses that various factors—including, but not limited to, movement, different exercises, and both emotional and physical stress—can positively or negatively affect autonomic activities.

This discussion, encompassing both her claims and mine, centers on the power of stimulation.

In Part 2 of the article” "Exercise vs. Massage: The Power in Rehabilitation", I will delve into the specific powers of massage in stimulating the healing process versus the role of movement therapy, including exercise, in the rehabilitation of painful back and limb disorders, post-surgical recovery, sensory impairments, and stress-related illnesses.

Everything I present in Part 2 will be rooted in clinical science rather than general statements about how good it feels—whether during a massage procedure or movement therapy.

In the meantime, I invite you to post questions, share your opinions, or offer your personal experiences.

Best wishes,
Boris Prilutsky