Massage techniques you can perform on yourself for daily relief.
Self-massage involves using your own hands, fingers, or tools (foam rollers, massage balls, gua sha tools) to relieve muscle tension and promote relaxation between professional sessions. While it can't replicate the full experience of professional bodywork, regular self-massage can maintain the benefits of professional sessions, address acute tension, and serve as a daily wellness practice.
Knowing what self-massage means makes it easier to talk with a masseur before the session starts. Mention it during the intake conversation if it matters to you — a professional male massage therapist will explain how it fits the modality you booked, adjust pressure or positioning around it, and tell you honestly when a different approach suits your body better. You will find the same vocabulary used across our massage service pages, our wellness guides, and the NYC neighborhood pages, so the terms you learn here carry over to booking a real session.