Top 12 Massage Therapist Skills to Put on Your Resume

In a competitive massage therapy job market, showcasing a strong, well-rounded skill set makes hiring managers pause and look twice. A smart resume blends technical mastery, client care, and the kind of calm presence that keeps people coming back. Build range. Show depth. Let your skills speak clearly and confidently.

Massage Therapist Skills

1. Swedish Massage
2. Deep Tissue
3. Reflexology
4. Shiatsu
5. Hot Stone
6. Aromatherapy
7. Prenatal Massage
8. Sports Massage
9. Trigger Point
10. Myofascial Release
11. Lymphatic Drainage
12. Thai Massage

1. Swedish Massage

Swedish massage uses long, flowing strokes, kneading, friction, and gentle joint movement to relax the whole body. It helps increase circulation, ease tension, and support flexibility while encouraging deep relaxation.

Why It's Important

Swedish massage forms the backbone of many sessions. It promotes relaxation, supports healthy blood flow, reduces stress, and improves general mobility—benefits most clients want on any given day.

How to Improve Swedish Massage Skills

Keep sharpening your touch and your knowledge. Try this:

1. Deepen anatomy understanding: Know muscle groups, attachments, and actions to guide stroke direction and pressure.

2. Refine pressure and pacing: Practice smooth transitions, consistent pressure, and rhythm that matches client breathing.

3. Add variations: Blend effleurage, petrissage, friction, tapotement, and gentle ROM to suit each body.

4. Ask for feedback: Calibrate pressure, speed, and focus areas based on client input.

5. Protect your body: Use good ergonomics, stance, and table height to sustain quality work over time.

6. Pursue continuing education: Take refresher courses to polish flow, draping, and session planning.

Small improvements compound. Your sessions feel better. Clients notice.

How to Display Swedish Massage Skills on Your Resume

2. Deep Tissue

Deep tissue massage targets the deeper layers of muscle and fascia to address chronic tension, adhesions, and movement restrictions.

Why It's Important

It helps relieve long-standing pain, improves range of motion, and supports recovery—especially useful for clients with repetitive strain or postural issues.

How to Improve Deep Tissue Skills

Precision beats force. Build skill intentionally:

1. Study layered anatomy: Map superficial to deep structures so your pressure lands where it matters.

2. Elevate palpation: Train your hands to read tissue tone, temperature, and texture changes.

3. Use body mechanics: Leverage forearms, knuckles, and body weight to create depth without strain.

4. Blend techniques: Combine stripping, cross-fiber friction, and active/passive movement for better outcomes.

5. Calibrate pressure with breath: Work slowly, allow tissue to melt, and check in often.

6. Keep learning: Advanced workshops refine technique, pacing, and assessment.

7. Be mindful: Watch for guarding, adjust approach, and respect pain thresholds.

Depth isn’t about pushing harder—it’s about sinking smarter.

How to Display Deep Tissue Skills on Your Resume

3. Reflexology

Reflexology involves applying targeted pressure to specific points on the feet, hands, or ears believed to correspond with organs and systems, aiming to encourage balance and relaxation.

Why It's Important

It offers a gentle, focused option for stress relief and overall balance, broadening your toolkit for clients who prefer a non-invasive approach.

How to Improve Reflexology Skills

Make it crisp and confident:

1. Study maps and theory: Learn point locations and common protocols thoroughly.

2. Practice consistency: Develop even pressure, precise thumb-walking, and seamless sequencing.

3. Seek mentorship: Learn nuances from experienced practitioners in your network.

4. Join workshops: Hands-on practice accelerates precision and comfort.

5. Earn certification: Formal training validates competency and helps with client trust.

6. Use quality mediums: Non-greasy lotions or balms can improve control.

7. Collect feedback: Fine-tune pressure and pacing based on client responses.

Precision and patience make reflexology feel remarkably restorative.

How to Display Reflexology Skills on Your Resume

4. Shiatsu

Shiatsu is a Japanese modality using finger, thumb, and palm pressure along meridians, often combined with gentle stretches, to support balance and well-being.

Why It's Important

It adds an energy-focused, whole-person approach to your practice, blending structure and subtlety in a way many clients find grounding.

How to Improve Shiatsu Skills

Bring clarity to your touch:

1. Study anatomy and meridians: Know pathways, points, and structural landmarks.

2. Practice mindfulness: Slow your pace, sync with breath, and listen with your hands.

3. Continue education: Workshops refine point work, body positioning, and sequencing.

4. Invite feedback: Track what calms, what releases, what needs adjusting.

5. Prioritize self-care: Maintain flexibility and posture to deliver steady, grounded pressure.

Presence plus precision—Shiatsu thrives on both.

How to Display Shiatsu Skills on Your Resume

5. Hot Stone

Hot stone massage uses smooth, heated stones placed or glided over the body to release tension, warm tissues, and deepen relaxation.

Why It's Important

Heat softens tissue quickly, reduces guarding, and helps clients unwind deeply, which can prepare muscles for more targeted work.

How to Improve Hot Stone Skills

Make the heat work for you—safely:

1. Train formally: Advanced courses clarify setup, safety, and session design.

2. Master temperature: Keep stones in a safe, comfortable range—typically about 110°F to 130°F—and verify on your forearm before contact.

3. Choose quality stones: Varied sizes and well-shaped basalt stones improve control and flow.

4. Vary technique: Alternate stationary placement with slow, gliding strokes for layered heat and release.

5. Communicate clearly: Check comfort often; adjust heat and pressure immediately if needed.

6. Follow hygiene and safety standards: Clean and sanitize stones and equipment after each session; adhere to local infection-control guidelines.

7. Protect yourself: Use sound ergonomics and tool handling to spare hands and wrists.

8. Keep evolving: Refresh knowledge with workshops and peer exchange.

Consistent heat, patient pacing—the difference is palpable.

How to Display Hot Stone Skills on Your Resume

6. Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy integrates essential oils into sessions to support relaxation, mood, and comfort. Thoughtful blending can complement the physical work beautifully.

Why It's Important

It adds a sensory layer that calms the nervous system, deepens relaxation, and can personalize the experience for each client.

How to Improve Aromatherapy Skills

Keep it safe, simple, and intentional:

1. Learn the oils: Study benefits, dilutions, and contraindications; engage in reputable coursework (for example, through recognized professional associations).
2. Choose quality: Use pure, well-sourced essential oils and proper carriers.
3. Customize thoughtfully: Select blends based on health history and client preferences.
4. Screen for safety: Ask about allergies, sensitivities, pregnancy, and medications.
5. Stay current: Read professional journals and attend trainings to refine practice.
6. Document blends: Track what works for whom—and why.

Light, precise, and client-centered—that’s the sweet spot.

How to Display Aromatherapy Skills on Your Resume

7. Prenatal Massage

Prenatal massage adapts techniques for pregnancy to reduce discomfort, relieve stress, and support circulation—always with safety, positioning, and communication top of mind.

Why It's Important

It can ease back, hip, and leg tension, improve sleep, and help expectant clients feel more at ease in their changing bodies. Specialized care matters here.

How to Improve Prenatal Massage Skills

Safety first, comfort always:

1. Stay current: Follow guidance from professional associations and continuing education providers.

2. Conduct thorough intakes: Review trimester, medical history, and any red flags before you begin.

3. Position with care: Use side-lying setups and supportive bolstering to reduce strain and maintain comfort.

4. Use gentle techniques: Avoid deep pressure on the abdomen and caution with areas and points associated with contraindications.

5. Check in often: Adjust pressure, pace, and temperature to client comfort.

6. Seek certification: Formal prenatal training deepens knowledge and builds trust.

7. Create a soothing space: Quiet room, comfortable temperature, and unhurried pacing.

8. Encourage feedback: Listen closely and adapt in real time.

Gentle, supported, and informed—that’s effective prenatal care.

How to Display Prenatal Massage Skills on Your Resume

8. Sports Massage

Sports massage blends techniques like compression, stretching, friction, and mobilization to support performance, speed recovery, and help prevent injury.

Why It's Important

It targets sport-specific demands, helps resolve overuse patterns, and keeps athletes moving well through training cycles and competition.

How to Improve Sports Massage Skills

Think specific, responsive, and informed:

1. Pursue advanced training: Stay updated on assessment and technique through accredited courses.

2. Specialize: Focus on particular sports or common injuries to build sharper protocols.

3. Use appropriate tools: Integrate cups, floss bands, or percussive devices when indicated and safe.

4. Build feedback loops: Coordinate with athletes on training loads and soreness patterns.

5. Prioritize your own conditioning: Strength, mobility, and recovery keep your work consistent.

6. Collaborate: Connect with coaches and rehab pros to align care plans.

Clear goals, tailored work, measurable results—athletes appreciate all three.

How to Display Sports Massage Skills on Your Resume

9. Trigger Point

A trigger point is a taut, hypersensitive spot within muscle or fascia that can cause local tenderness and referred pain.

Why It's Important

Recognizing and treating trigger points can reduce pain, restore function, and improve overall tissue health—especially in stubborn, recurring problem areas.

How to Improve Trigger Point Skills

Precision and patience pay off:

1. Study patterns: Learn common referral maps and associated muscles.

2. Refine palpation: Practice locating nodules, bands, and tender spots accurately.

3. Use sound mechanics: Apply sustained, tolerable pressure without straining your hands.

4. Blend methods: Pair ischemic compression with stretching, heat, or myofascial work.

5. Promote hydration and movement: Encourage post-session water and gentle mobility.

6. Track outcomes: Gather feedback to adjust pressure, duration, and frequency.

Trigger point therapy works best when careful assessment guides each touch.

How to Display Trigger Point Skills on Your Resume

10. Myofascial Release

Myofascial Release uses gentle, sustained pressure and stretch to ease restrictions in fascia, aiming to reduce pain and improve movement.

Why It's Important

Freeing fascial restrictions can enhance circulation, mobility, and tissue glide, supporting lasting changes beyond the session.

How to Improve Myofascial Release Skills

Slow down, feel more, force less:

1. Learn fascial connections: Understand lines and regional interdependence throughout the body.

2. Develop sensitivity: Use patient, melting pressure; wait for tissue creep before moving on.

3. Add movement: Incorporate gentle active or passive motions to amplify release.

4. Advance your training: Specialized courses can refine assessment and technique choices.

5. Self-experience: Practice self-MFR to better understand sensation and pacing.

6. Review and adjust: Track client responses and refine your plan session to session.

In MFR, the magic is in the wait—the tissue tells you when to proceed.

How to Display Myofascial Release Skills on Your Resume

11. Lymphatic Drainage

Lymphatic drainage is a gentle, rhythmic approach aimed at encouraging lymph flow to reduce swelling, support immune function, and promote recovery.

Why It's Important

It can decrease edema, ease discomfort after injury or surgery when appropriate, and promote relaxation—especially helpful for clients with fluid retention.

How to Improve Lymphatic Drainage Skills

Light, directional, consistent:

1. Master MLD technique: Use soft, skin-stretching strokes directed toward regional lymph nodes.

2. Sequence smartly: Clear proximal areas before distal work to create space for drainage.

3. Encourage hydration: Recommend adequate water intake around sessions unless medically contraindicated.

4. Add breathing: Gentle diaphragmatic breathing supports lymph movement.

5. Promote movement: Suggest light activity like walking or simple mobility drills to maintain flow.

Go lighter than you think. The lymphatics respond best to subtlety.

How to Display Lymphatic Drainage Skills on Your Resume

12. Thai Massage

Thai massage blends acupressure and assisted stretching with rhythmic, full-body movement—often performed clothed, without oil.

Why It's Important

It improves flexibility, supports circulation, and offers whole-body resetting—an energizing complement to table-based techniques.

How to Improve Thai Massage Skills

Flow, alignment, and breath matter:

1. Study anatomy and biomechanics: Understand joint ranges and safe end-feels for stretching.

2. Train with experts: Hands-on instruction refines body positioning and transitions.

3. Learn basic yoga principles: Insights into breath and alignment elevate assisted stretches.

4. Practice mindfulness: Maintain steady rhythm and attentive presence throughout.

5. Request feedback: Adjust angles, leverage, and support based on client comfort.

6. Rehearse regularly: Consistent practice builds smooth, confident flow.

Done well, Thai massage feels both grounding and spacious—movement with intention.

How to Display Thai Massage Skills on Your Resume