Massage has been practiced for thousands of years. If you need or want a massage, you can choose from among 80 massage therapy styles with a wide variety of pressures, movements, and techniques. These all involve pressing, rubbing, or manipulating muscles and other soft tissues with hands and fingers. Sometimes, even forearms, elbows, or feet are used. Styles used in massage therapy range from long, smooth strokes to short, percussive strokes. A massage can last anywhere from 5 minutes to 2 hours.