What does 'massage therapy' NOT include?

The definition of massage therapy primarily encompasses various manual techniques applied to the body's soft tissues, aimed at enhancing relaxation, improving circulation, and alleviating stress. While the techniques can provide relief from tension and may result in perceived health benefits, the practice of massage therapy does not explicitly include the treatment of specific illnesses or injuries, which falls under the domain of licensed medical practitioners.

The other components of the definition often involve physical interventions that do not diagnose or treat medical conditions, but rather focus on relaxation, wellness, and balancing the body's energy through touch. Therefore, the correct answer highlights that the treatment of illness or injury is outside the scope of massage therapy as defined in Maryland law.