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Massage techniques as a therapeutic instrument were introduced into society at the beginning of the 20th century, with the immigration of Asians to Brazil.

The massage profession was recognized by federal law 3,968 in October 1961, but was not regulated.

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Massage is a very broad term that encompasses a multitude of maneuvers and techniques, proven or not, whether therapeutic, aesthetic, restorative, relaxing, tortuous...

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In 1980, body techniques that had defined protocols were included, within the scope of what is legally permitted and proven not to be harmful: Shantala, Shiatsu, Tuina, Ayurveda, Lymphatic Drainage, Reflexology, Chiropractic, Reiki, Pranic Therapy, among others; and called Massage Therapy or Massage Therapist.

By Ordinance 397 of October 2002, the Brazilian Classification of Occupations was approved for use throughout the country. Its purpose was to establish a standardized document for recognition, with the sole purpose of classifying the designation and content of occupations in the Brazilian market, establishing their fields of activity. This began the structuring of the Professional Category. These professionals use their hands as their work tools, based on the principle of expressive and differentiated care, with dedication, responsibility, respect, ethics, awareness, attention, and concern, working with freedom and promoting health with love.

From then on, the term masseur began to be used for any person who freely wants to perform a massage, without studies, without technique and without guarantees, and massage therapist for the professional who studied and specialized in at least one of the body techniques included in the 2002 Brazilian Classification of Occupations.

There are 1,200-hour technical courses approved by the Ministry of Education. It's important to remember that the Ministry of Education recognizes education, not health.

There are also free courses with a legal basis in Presidential Decree No. 5,154 of 2004 with less formal modalities and of variable duration, designed to provide students and workers with knowledge that allows them to professionalize, qualify and update themselves for work.

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