T'Pol and Trip during a neuropressure session
Massage is a physical therapy technique consisting of manual or machine-aided application of pressure to the soft tissues of the body. When employed in the fields of medicine and sports it is intended to alleviate pain, heal injuries of the muscles, tendons, and ligaments, relieve stress, and improve the circulation of blood and lymphatic fluids.
Massage is also practiced for erotic purposes and a popular prelude to intercourse among many humanoid species, notably the Humans, Vulcans, Bajorans, Risians, Talaxians, Argelians, Ocampa and Ferengi. (ENT: "E²"; TOS: "The Enterprise Incident"; TNG: "Ménage à Troi"; DS9: "Looking for par'Mach in All the Wrong Places"; VOY: "False Profits")
Intendant Kira often received massages from her Vulcan slaves. (DS9: "Through the Looking Glass")
Notable practitioners of massage
- Julian Bashir
- The Doctor
- Faith Garland
- James T. Kirk
- Leeta
- Marani
- Leonard McCoy
- Miles O'Brien
- Hoshi Sato (mirror)
- Spock
- T'Pol
- Charles Tucker III
- Vash
Types of massage
- Neuropressure
- Oo-mox