This type of massage has been developed by the Western osteopaths and masseurs, and is most popular in the U.S. This is a form of deep-tissue massage, which aims to influence the nervous system, tension joints, and other connective tissues, which remain untreated at soft-tissue massage. It is performed with the pads of the thumbs.

The neuro-muscular massage is very useful with muscular tension, spasms, and dislocated joints.