Insights | Health, Rehabilitation & Workplace Experts | Habit Health

Stay injury-free this summer

Written by Anna Hinderwell | May 6, 2026 12:15:00 PM

Massage therapy has been used for centuries to support health, relieve pain and promote recovery — and modern evidence increasingly supports what practitioners and their clients have long known. 

What is massage therapy?

Massage therapy

Involves the systematic manipulation of the soft tissues of the body — muscles, fascia, connective tissue, tendons and ligaments — using hands-on techniques.

Qualified massage therapists apply varying pressure, rhythm and technique to achieve specific therapeutic outcomes.

In New Zealand, qualified massage therapists hold recognised qualifications and may be members of professional bodies such as Massage New Zealand. At Habit Health, our massage therapists work as part of a multidisciplinary team, meaning your care can be coordinated with physiotherapy, occupational therapy or other services as needed.