Chien Wen-jen explains that Western recuperative medicine views massage as a means to prevent tissue adhesion after surgery procedures, to promote blood circulation, and to relax the muscles so as to prevent veins and arteries being constricted by tissue. It also uses rubbing, pushing and tapping to loosen muscles, stimulate the nervous system and bring greater suppleness to the joints.
簡文仁解釋，西醫復健中的按摩定義，是為了防止外科手術後組織沾黏、促進血液循環、放鬆肌肉以免血管被組織夾住等問題發生，並以搓、揉、推、打、敲等各種手法，來鬆弛肌肉、鬆軟組織、刺激神經、靈活關節。