What is the term for the manipulation of soft tissue to enhance a person’s well-being?

The term that best fits the description of manipulating soft tissue to enhance a person's well-being is massage therapy. This practice involves various techniques specifically designed to alleviate tension, improve circulation, and promote relaxation by focusing on muscles, fascia, and other soft tissues of the body. Massage therapy is widely recognized for its therapeutic benefits, which encompass both physical and emotional wellness.

Physical therapy, while also aimed at improving health, typically focuses on rehabilitation and restoring function after injuries or surgeries, often incorporating exercises and modalities beyond just soft tissue manipulation. Chiropractic care primarily concentrates on spinal alignment and may involve manual adjustments of the spine and joints rather than direct manipulation of soft tissues. Acupuncture utilizes the insertion of fine needles into specific points on the body to relieve pain and promote health, which differs significantly from the manual techniques used in massage therapy. Thus, massage therapy is the most accurate term for the manipulation of soft tissue aimed at enhancing well-being.