What is the difference between medical massage and massage therapy?

According to the American Massage Therapy Association, the most respected professional organization of massage therapists, there is no such category as medical massage since all forms massage are therapeutic.

When a massage therapist or business refers to medical massage verses just massage therapy they are generally distinguishing between a deep tissue, injury treatment or sports massage verses a relaxation, swedish or spa massage. The intention of the massage is different. All massages are mean't to be theraputic, however an injury treatment or deep tissue massage can be very far from relaxing. Injury treatment massages, unlike most relaxation massages, are not full body. They are site specific and relate to a specific problem someone may be having that limits their range of motion or causes pain that prevents their daily activities.

Medical massage verses spa or just massage therapy also can refer to the accounts receivable or billing process. Depending on your insurance coverage, and if the state you live in offers coverage to massage therapists.