Therapeutic massage is performed with a variety of hand-to-patient contact techniques used on body tissues to assess and relieve pain, soften muscle spasms, stimulate nerve tissue, restore mobility, increase venous and lymphatic return / circulation and mobilize tissues (tendons, muscle fibers, skin, scar tissue). Physiotherapeutic massage can be combined with stretching, passive or active movements, proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation, cryotherapy or heat therapy.