There is no harm at all in thinking that having a massage is all about being pampered. Usually, you will go to a beautiful and welcoming spa with soft lighting and music, the aroma of essential oils wafting in the air, and you will meet a Massage Therapist who’s sole function is to make sure that your massage session is exactly tailored to your health and wellness issues (of course now days working within COVID-19 safety guidelines!). Who would not consider that a pampering treatment?

Yes, massage can be that “me time” that you seek to rest and relax, but massage has much more to offer, so much so that even the renown Mayo Clinic lists massage as a complementary therapy to good old “doctoring”.

I visited the Mayo Clinic’s website (www.mayoclinic. org) to see what the Clinic had to say about massage, and to back up my information in this article to make sure that my opinion of the benefits of massage actually match up with what our experts had to offer in their thoughts about the subject. I am happy to report that the Mayo and I (and a lot of other folks) are thinking alike on massage and body work “upsides”.

Basically, massage involves the manipulation of soft tissue, i.e., skin, muscle, tendon, and ligament to help increase blood flow, lymph drainage, relieve muscle tension, and promote a “relaxation response” in both mind and body. Not a very romantic explanation of massage, but this is the essence of what happens during a massage treatment. Over the years, various types of massage have been developed to address different health issues such as Swedish, deep tissue, trigger point, cranial sacral, or Thai techniques. The difference between all of these, and there many more types of massage not listed here, are the types of pressures used, the types of tissue manipulations used, and always, what symptoms and issues a Client is dealing with, and what protocol(s) would be best for that Client’s needs and goals.

Some of the reasons the Mayo Clinic lists recommending massage as a complementary therapy to the public are: Digestive disorders Fibromyalgia Headache and jaw tension Myofacial pain syndrome Soft tissue injuries or sprains and strains Anxiety and stress reduction Let us say that your health care provider has recommended massage therapy or body work to you as a way to assist you with “what ails you”. And let us say that offhand, your health care provider does not have a particular Therapist in mind to send you to. How do you know if you will be working with a true professional? Of course, word of mouth from someone you know and trust, be they a friend or relative is usually the first and quickest way to get in touch with a Therapist Another sound way to research providers in your area would be to go to the Association of Bodywork and Massage Professionals (ABMP)’s website to find a list of certified or licensed professionals. A certified or licensed Therapist will be happy to share their credentials and experience with you. These professionals will also work within their scope of expertise, never prescribing medications or in any way offering medical advice that is beyond their education and training. Once you have found a professional you have researched and feel comfortable with, keep up a dialog with your Therapist, letting them know if any body areas are painful or uncomfortable during the work, if the room temperature is too hot or cold, if the music is too loud, quiet, or not needed, if you would like essential oils or lotions used, or if you have any allergies, etc. A spa or Therapist “worth their salt” will usually have you fill out a medical background form where you may provide information about yourself that makes communication more transparent, and moves you toward the relief you are seeking during your session. You may even have a note from your health care provider to give to the Therapist with their instructions for your session.

Besides treating your body’s sore back or stiff neck and shoulders, massage can also treat your “heart” and mind, too. If you are experiencing stress or anxiety, the release and relaxation that can come from massage may release dopamine or the “relaxation hormone”. Often times, Clients report that they had no idea how much they were “holding on to” stress, and how there was relief of body and mind during the work. Some Clients even report that they fell asleep during their massage, and wake up feeling refreshed.

If further questions come to mind about massage or body work, I would recommend going to the Mayo Clinic or ABMP’s website as you will find an FAQ page that answers many queries you may have about what to expect during massage during the session and afterward. In conclusion, massage and body work can offer both body and mind healing, or health therapy and pampering all in one. Nice!