What term describes the manipulation of the soft tissues of the body in a systemic and scientific way?

• A. Massage
• B. Reflexology
• C. Aromatherapy
• D. Shiatsu

Answer: (A)

Manipulating soft tissues in a systematic and scientifically informed way is described as massage. It encompasses hands-on techniques such as kneading, stroking (effleurage), friction, and compression applied to muscles, fascia, and other connective tissues to improve circulation, reduce muscle tension, relieve pain, and enhance range of motion. This approach is grounded in anatomy and physiology, focusing on how tissue state and nervous system responses respond to mechanical work.

The other options refer to different modalities with distinct focuses: reflexology targets specific points on the feet or hands believed to affect other areas of the body; aromatherapy uses essential oils to influence mood and physiology; Shiatsu is a Japanese modality that uses finger pressure along energy pathways and includes stretches, but the broad term for systematic soft-tissue manipulation in a scientific context is massage.