Licensed or certified massage therapists are trained to do a traditional western (Swedish) massage. This qualifies them to do what is called a basic all-over relaxing massage using various techniques, such as long gliding strokes (effleurage), kneading strokes (petrissage), tapping or drumming strokes (tapotement), friction and vibration.

While what they do is considered full-body, the laws of the individual states licensing them and providing them with the scope of practice restrictions forbid a massage therapist to work in the groin or genital areas of males or females as well as the breast area of females. Additionally, these areas of the body must be draped with either towels or sheets at all times during the massage to reinforce the feeling of safety for the client.