Massage is one of the oldest healing arts: Chinese records dating back 3,000 years document its use; the ancient Hindus, Persians and Egyptians applied forms of massage for many ailments; and Hippocrates wrote papers recommending the use of rubbing and friction for joint and circulatory problems. Today, the benefits of massage are varied and far-reaching. As an accepted part of many physical rehabilitation programs, massage therapy has also proven beneficial for many chronic conditions, including low back pain, arthritis, bursitis, fatigue, high blood pressure, diabetes, immunity suppression, infertility, smoking cessation, depression, and more. And, as many millions will attest, massage also helps relieve the stress and tension of everyday living that can lead to disease and illness.

So what is it exactly?

Massage, bodywork and somatic therapies are defined as the application of various techniques to the muscular structure and soft tissues of the human body. Specifically:

Massage: The application of soft-tissue manipulation techniques to the body, generally intended to reduce stress and fatigue while improving circulation. The many variations of massage account for several different techniques.

Bodywork: Various forms of touch therapies that may use manipulation, movement, and/or repatterning to affect structural changes to the body.

Somatic: Meaning “of the body.” Many times this term is used to denote a body/mind or whole-body approach as distinguished from a physiology-only or environmental perspective.

There are more than 200 variations of massage, bodywork, and somatic therapies and many practitioners utilize multiple techniques. The application of these techniques may include, but is not limited to, stroking, kneading, tapping, compression, vibration, rocking, friction, and pressure to the muscular structure or soft tissues of the human body. This may also include non-forceful passive or active movement and/or application of techniques intended to affect the energetic systems of the body. The use of oils, lotions, and powders may also be included to reduce friction on the skin. Please contact us with any questions you may have regarding body therapy and massage techniques.

A collection of massage strokes designed for relaxation. Some of the therapeutic effects include increased circulation, increased flexibility, removal of lactic acid and toxins, relaxes the nervous system and stimulates the skin.

Swedish massage employs soft strokes on the more delicate and bony structures of the body, such as the face, hands and feet, and stronger strokes over thickly muscled areas that retain stress, such as the neck and shoulders. The careful attention to the amount of pressure makes Swedish massage great for relaxation.

Deep Tissue Massage is a massage technique that focuses on the deeper layers of muscle tissue. It aims to release the chronic patterns of tension in the body through slow strokes and deep finger pressure on the contracted areas, either following or going across the fiber's of the muscles, tendons and fascia.

Deep tissue massage is used to release chronic muscle tension through slower strokes and more direct deep pressure or friction applied across the grain of the muscles not with the grain. Deep tissue massage helps to break up and eliminate scar tissue. Deep tissue massage usually focuses on more specific areas and may cause some soreness during or right after the massage. However, if the massage is done correctly you should feel better than ever within a day or two. Deep tissue work is helpful in treating chronic pain and injury rehabilitation.

Massage for the sports and fitness enthusiasts. Loosens tight muscles and improves circulation speeding up the process of waste product removal from the body, which would otherwise cause soreness in the muscles. Assisted stretching for more flexibility and muscle warm-up and cool-down after athletic events or exercising.

Sports Therapy massage assists in recovery and helps to facilitate the healing processes after injuries. It utilizes techniques similar to Swedish and Therapeutic Massage but usually is appropriate for young and fit individual and is adapted to the athlete’s current needs.

Trigger points (TrP) are hypersensitive areas of muscles, fascia, tendons, and ligaments that refer pain to distal regions of the body. They can be the result of repetitive or stressful motion, trauma, or poor posture. Dietary, environmental and emotional stress can also create these localized areas. Treatment is sustained digital pressure applied to the TrP to relieve pain and discomfort.

Trigger point massage is not a relaxing, "fluff and buff" technique. It requires the participation of the client to communicate the presence and intensity of pain and discomfort. The therapist and client work together as a team to maximize the effectiveness of the treatment.

Buddhist in nature, reiki (pronounced “ray-key”) is the combining of universal energy with individual energy to open pathways of healing. It teaches that disease is not separate from the body; it is the body out of balance. This energy healing method involves placing the hands on or just above the body in order to align chakras and bring healing energy to organs and glands.

The practitioner, trained to access and serve as a channel for the life energy, uses a passive touch that some clients experience as a warmth or tingling. The hands remain in position for 3 to 5 minutes, alternately covering 10 to 12 positions over the body. Treatments work by dissolving or eliminating toxic energy and substances from many levels of one’s being, whether it is physical, emotional, or mental. This works to strengthen the harmonic flow of energy within the body. The three levels of training in the initiation process of becoming a reiki master are referred to as attunement levels. Through this training, the practitioner reaches a level where she can access energy flow through the hands to heal herself and others.

Reflexology is the physical act of applying pressure to the feet and hand with specific thumb, finger and hand techniques without the use of oil or lotion. it is based on a system of zones and reflex areas that reflect an image of the body on the feet and hands with a premise that such work effects a physical change to the body.

Pressure sensors in the feet and hands are a part of the body's reflexive response that makes possible the "fight or flight" reaction to danger. Feet ready to flee and hands ready to fight communicate with the body's internal organs to make possible wither eventuality. The sudden adrenal surge that enables a person to lift a car is an example of this reaction. Reflexology taps into this reflex network, providing an exercise of pressure sensors and thus the internal organs to which they are inextricably tied.

Chair massage counters the circulatory problems inherent with office work—and provide an appreciated break for employees. Sitting in a massage chair opens up the back muscles, relieves strain on the neck and provides a gentle respite for eyes usually glued to a computer monitor. Even 15 minutes of massage to the neck, back, arms and hands can increase circulation, returning energy levels and helping keep the body injury free.

Chair massage makes a great gift to an office that has worked hard all year, or a wonderful activity for a student group looking for programming ideas, or even as a program for your resident hall.