Niche specialization offers a lot of benefits to healthcare practice owners.

In this article, I want to share 27 different areas of focus that are possible in the Massage Therapy field.

Specializing as a Massage Therapist

There are any opportunities to niche as a Licensed Massage Therapist.

One option is to serve a very distinct group of patients (such as children, athletes in their 30s, or women in perimenopause), or by body system (such as focusing only on feet, or providing cranial therapy). Or you could develop skills in one particular technique, with extensive training and certifications that allow you to demonstrate expertise in your field.

Check out this article on how to develop a specialized Massage Therapy Practice Niche.

With such a variety of ways to niche in the Massage Therapy field, the possibilities to set your practice apart are nearly infinite.

Specialized Massage Techniques

Today, I want to share some ideas for specializing based on massage techniques. Here are 27 ways to develop a specialized focus.

1. Aromatherapy Massage

Full-body massage while inhaling diffused oil or with diluted oil applied to the skin.

2. Chair Massage

Quick tension relief for neck, shoulders and back while seated, to relieve stress and provide relaxation.

3. Couple’s Massage

A shared, side-by-side experience. It typically includes Swedish massages, hot stone massages, pedicures, facials, and/or body scrubs.

4. Craniosacral Massage

Gentle, soft touch to improve functioning of the central nervous system’s membranes and cerebrospinal fluid.

5. Deep Tissue Massage

Deep finger pressure with slow strokes to relieve tension in the connective tissues.

6. Digestive Massage

Gentle pressure on abdomen to relieve bloating, cramping, diarrhea, constipation, and other symptoms.

7. Electric Massage

A variety of products including hand-held, dual-handed, and tables that provide kneading, vibration, rolling, compression, percussion, infrared, TENS, and other stimulation to improve circulation and relax the muscles. Find more info at Pain Away Devices.

8. Fertility Massage

Non-invasive holds, abdominal massage, reflexology, visualization, and aromatherapy to enhance reproductive health. Find more at Muna Therapy.

9. Foot Massage

Gentle or firm pressure on various parts of the foot.

10. Hot Lava Shell Message

Tiger Striped Clam shells are heated and laid on the body, providing a release of calcium ions on the skin. This treatment can regenerate the skin, ease tension, and restore balance.

11. Hot Stone Massage

Stones that are used to apply gentle pressure and heat to the body.

12. Indian Head Massage AKA Champissage™

Based on an ancient head massage called Champi, this therapy relaxes the face, ears, scalp, neck, shoulders, and upper arms to bring pain relief, reduced stress and insomnia, and promote hair growth. Find more at Indian Champissage.

13. Integrative Structural Massage Therapy

Evaluation of gait, muscle spasms, flexibility, muscular strength and endurance to restore balance and alignment. Find more at Paths In Healing.

14. Intraoral and TMJ

Massage that is intraoral (meaning inside the mouth) focuses on muscles in the neck, face, scalp, jaw, lips, cheeks, and soft tissues inside the mouth cavity. It can relieve pain and discomfort from Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) disorders including headaches, jaw clenching, and teeth grinding.

15. Manual Lymphatic Drainage Massage (MLD)

Gentle massage to encourage natural drainage of lymph node waste products away from body tissues; uses light pressure with circular rhythmic movements.

16. Myofascial Release

Pressure on connective tissues to relieve stiffness, tension, misalignment, scar tissue, and pain.

17. NO HANDS® Massage

Application of the core Swedish strokes of effleurage, friction, and petrissage using forearms, body weight, and slower strokes. Find more at NO HANDS Massage.

18. Pregnancy Massage

Safe option for pregnant women to reduce hip, lower back, and leg tension with mild pressure.

19. Reflexology Massage

Gentle or firm pressure on feet, hands, and ears to restore energy levels.

20. Shiatsu Massage

A Japanese “finger pressure” method [指圧]using pulsing, rhythmic strokes on the palms and thumbs to relieve tension and pain. Find more at Shiatsu for Health.

21. Somatoemotional Release

Therapeutic process using Craniosacral Therapy to rid the mind and body of the residual effects of trauma.

22. Sport Massage

Limited or full-body massage for sport-related repetitive use injuries, tension, or pain.

23. Swedish Massage

A full-body kneading method to relieve tension and pain, typically done with minimal clothing, and often using essential oil blends.

24. Thai Herbal Ball Compression

Massage using a heated muslin herbal-scented ball with light or strong pressure.

25. Thai Massage

Full-body yoga-like stretching with firm pressure, twisting, and positioning to add flexibility and increase circulation. Also called Thai Yoga Massage. Find more at Unwind Bodywork.

26. Trigger Point Massage

Broad, flowing, and gentle strokes in areas of muscle tightness called “Trigger Points”; can include Neuromuscular Therapy.

27. Warm Bamboo Massage

A cross between deep tissue and Swedish massage; used to loosen tight muscles and improve sports performance.

(Sources: Healthline, Awaken Wellness, Traditional Thai Massage & Wellness, Paths in Healing, Champissage, and NO HANDS® Massage).

As you can see, these are some of the many techniques that a Licensed Massage Therapist can use to stand apart in a crowded market.

If you are looking for ideas on how to attract the right customers, let’s talk! Find out more here.