What type of service does massage therapy provide when it is for therapeutic purposes?

When massage therapy is provided for therapeutic purposes, it is classified as a health care service. This distinction is important because therapeutic massage focuses on alleviating physical ailments, promoting healing, and enhancing overall wellness. Such services are often aimed at addressing specific medical conditions, pain management, and improving the body’s physiological function.

In contrast, fitness training services primarily focus on enhancing physical fitness through exercise regimes, while recreational services emphasize enjoyment and leisure rather than health outcomes. Cosmetic services are concerned with enhancing appearance but do not typically address health-related issues. The categorization of massage therapy as a health care service signifies its role in the broader context of medical and therapeutic interventions designed to improve health and well-being.