Virtual Warfighter is late to the game , but we are now 25 % off <| sep |> This question could easily be the title of a book . The variety of answers you may get for this question will be all over . Massage can be broken up in at least 2 different areas Therapeutic and Relaxation . On top of that , there are many different styles and on top of that , there are many different applications . These varying styles and applications come from all over the world . Probably the most important thing to consider is all the information the world has learned over the decades in regards to the clinical application of massage and health hazards and benefits that go along with it . Right off , I will tell you without a doubt that massages 50 years ago were not as good . You would pay a lot of money for an uneducated and unskilled masseuse that has not been licensed by a board or even certified by his or her peers . What goes with that in very basic terms is an unclean atmosphere with a propensity of sexual misconduct , andor prostitution . The clinical aspect of today ' s massage will reflect many contraindications for massage . Yes , massage CAN be bad for you if you are sick or on drugs . So basically a massage in 1966 or before would have been different in many ways . I do realize in some locations of the world , they have ancient methods that have barely changed and are still being used today . So ask yourself , why do you want a massage and what do you expect ? Edit The buttthing happens . People massage glutes all the time . Elbows and fists to the glutes are great . I ' m also a male massage therapy student in a predominantly woman field .