People use to think of massage as a luxury, but that’s changing.  Massage is finally being acknowledged as an integral part of a healthy lifestyle.  We seek massage for stress relief, but massage is much more than that.  A good massage, performed by a professional, is structured, therapeutic touch.  Professional therapeutic touch is not random, rather a purposeful, organized system of patterns.  It requires education and understanding of anatomy & physiology, pathology, and the systems of massage and other forms of soft tissue methodology.  

While massage requires skillful planning, it is also heart-based work -- it relies on intuitive thinking, a caring professional, and the healing power of touch.  Healing, is the restoration of well-being, and therapeutic applications like massage promote a healing environment within the body.  When the body feels at ease, the mind can relax, and "switching off" is often something we rarely get to do.

So, what are the benefits of massage?  Massage therapists apply massage and related modalities to help clients on their quest to high-level wellness. Massage helps relieve pain, stress, and tension.  It is used as treatment and recovery from illness and injuries, as part of an injury prevention program, for health maintenance, personal growth, athletic development, psychological well being as well as the enjoyment of life to its fullest. Massage is part of a network of holistic practices in complimentary and integrative medicine.  Whether used alone or together with mainstream medical care, it can help one achieve greater awareness of the inner self, greater body system functioning, and can leave one feeling better integrated in mind and body.