Gentle rhythmic skin massage to move lymph fluid and reduce swelling
Gentle massage to move lymph
Lymphatic soft-tissue techniquePerformed by trained therapists, often as part of lymphedema care delivered by certified clinicians; the manual technique is not an FDA-regulated product, though related compression devices may be cleared.
Hands-on soft-tissue manipulation for pain, tension, and stress
Touch for pain and calm
Soft-tissue bodyworkMassage therapists are licensed at the state level in most of the US, with required training hours and exams; massage itself is not an FDA-regulated medical product.
Ayurvedic warm-oil massage done daily or as therapy
Ayurvedic daily oiling
Ayurvedic oil bodyworkAbhyanga is not FDA-regulated; in the US it is offered by massage therapists and Ayurvedic practitioners (Ayurveda is not a licensed medical profession in most states), and the herbal oils used are sold as cosmetics or supplements, not approved drugs.
Finger-pressure therapies from China and Japan
Finger pressure on acupoints
Acupoint finger-pressure bodyworkNot regulated as a medical product; acupressure wristbands for nausea are sold over the counter as low-risk devices. Shiatsu practitioner licensing varies by country and US state.
Sustained gentle pressure on connective tissue to ease pain and stiffness
Slow pressure on fascia
Soft-tissue bodyworkPracticed by licensed massage therapists, physical therapists, and others within their existing scope; the technique itself is not separately regulated by the FDA.
A multi-session program of deep connective-tissue work to realign the body in gravity
Deep work to realign posture
Structural soft-tissue bodyworkRolfing is a trademarked term; practitioners are certified by the Dr. Ida Rolf Institute rather than licensed as a medical profession, and the FDA does not regulate it.
Assisted-stretch bodywork from Thailand on UNESCO's heritage list
Assisted-stretch Thai bodywork
Assisted-stretch and pressure bodyworkNot regulated as a medical product; in the US practitioners work under state massage-therapy licensing. Thailand certifies Nuad Thai therapists through its public-health system.
Chinese therapeutic massage rooted in traditional medicine
Chinese push-and-grasp massage
Soft-tissue and acupressure bodyworkNot regulated as a medical product in the US; practitioners are usually licensed under massage therapy or acupuncture boards, with scope varying by state.
Aquatic bodywork: gentle stretches and cradling in warm water
Warm-water cradling bodywork
Aquatic bodyworkNot an FDA-regulated medical product; Watsu is taught and credentialed by private bodywork schools and the Worldwide Aquatic Bodywork Association, with no government license required to practice in most places.
Light rolling moves over muscle and fascia with rest pauses
Gentle rolling fascia moves
Soft-tissue bodyworkNot an FDA-regulated medical product; Bowen practitioners are trained by private schools and trade associations, with no standardized government license and widely varying course lengths.
Native Hawaiian massage and healing rooted in prayer and aloha
Hawaiian healing touch
Indigenous Hawaiian bodyworkLomilomi is not an FDA-regulated product; practitioners generally work under state massage licensing, though Hawaii law (Act 304, 2001) created a path for Native Hawaiian practitioners to be certified through Native Hawaiian health organizations rather than the standard exam.
Folk manual therapy: massage and resetting bones and joints by hand
Folk massage and bone resetting
Folk manual and bonesetting therapySobadores, hueseros, and traditional bonesetters are unlicensed folk practitioners and are not regulated by the FDA or, in most places, by any medical board; they operate outside formal healthcare, which is part of the safety concern.
Gentle rhythmic rocking and movement to ease holding patterns
Rhythmic rocking bodywork
Movement-based bodyworkNot an FDA-regulated medical product; Trager practitioners are certified by the private Trager International organization, with no government license required to practice.
Gentle hands-on technique aimed at the internal organs
Gentle organ mobilization
Soft-tissue organ-mobilization therapyNot an FDA-regulated product; no separate license. It is taught as a continuing-education technique to osteopaths, physical therapists, and massage therapists.