Pediatric MT, defined as the manual manipulation of soft tissue intended to promote health and well-being in children and adolescents, can be applied with a wide range of variability in terms of pressure, pacing, and selected modality. The pacing with which the treatment is applied can be substantially modified with the goal of increasing or decreasing stimulation through the use of faster or slower movements. Site restrictions may make one area of the body unavailable for MT, whereas other areas are safe to massage.

A wide variety of MT modalities exist, each providing suggested benefits. These include therapies such as swedish, sport, myofascial release, neuromuscular, trigger point, lymphatic drainage and many more. Particular massage techniques and modalities have either stimulating or calming effects and a range of healing outcomes.