Massage therapy is a hands-on technique used to manipulate soft tissues in your body. Most often, soft tissues include muscle, tendons, ligaments and joints. During a therapy session, the therapist uses different movements, techniques and varying degrees of pressure to treat issues and help the body return to a more balanced state. There are many reasons to use massage therapy as part of your overall wellness plan. It can have both immediate and long-term benefits for individuals of all ages.