Massage: meaning, definitions and examples

General term for therapeutic manipulation of the body's muscles. Used in healthcare, wellness, and relaxation contexts.

• I got a massage to relieve my back pain.
• She enjoys a massage after a long day at work.

Informal term for a massage, often implying a more casual or rough technique. Commonly used after physical exertion or in sports contexts.

• After the game, the players received a quick rubdown to relax their muscles.
• I gave him a rubdown to help with his sore back.

A female massage therapist. The term can sometimes be perceived as old-fashioned or carry negative connotations, so 'massage therapist' is often preferred.

• The masseuse was very skilled in relieving my neck tension.
• She works as a professional masseuse in a luxury spa.

Refers to a variety of alternative medicine practices involving touch and movement techniques. Common in holistic and integrative health fields.

• He specializes in bodywork to improve physical and emotional well-being.
• Bodywork helped her recover from injury more quickly.

Typically used in the context of providing physical relief or relaxation through the application of pressure and movement to muscles and soft tissues.

• She booked a massage to relieve her back pain.
• The spa offers various types of massages, including deep tissue and Swedish.

Often used in cooking to describe the process of mixing and pressing dough with hands or a tool to develop gluten. Can also refer to pressing or massaging in other contexts but less common.

• Knead the dough until it becomes smooth and elastic.
• She gently kneaded her cat's shoulders, and it purred contentedly.

Refers to moving one's hand or an object back and forth against a surface, often for cleaning, applying pressure, or creating friction.

• She rubbed her temples to alleviate the headache.
• Please rub the lotion onto your skin until it is fully absorbed.

Usually refers to handling or controlling something skillfully. It can have a negative connotation when referring to controlling people or situations for personal gain.

• The surgeon had to manipulate the tissue very carefully.
• He tried to manipulate the conversation to his advantage.