Magic Touch

By Patty Swyden Sullivan

Health & Fitness Photography courtesy of the American Massage Therapy Association.

Burned out? Worn down? Exhausted before you even get out of bed? You may need to find a good massage therapist and book a permanent spot on his/her monthly (or weekly) calendar. Why? Massage is more than just a blissful, short-term escape from the daily stresses that wear us down and wear us out. No longer viewed as an indulgence for the elite, massage is recognized for its therapeutic benefits. As one Chicago Tribune writer likened it, a massage is to the body as a tune-up is to a car.

Massage is a systematic manual application of pressure and movement to the soft tissue of the body. It stimulates blood and lymph flow, vitalizes nerves, and loosens muscles and connective tissue, which helps them stay elastic. Massage slows the heart rate and lowers blood pressure. It releases endorphins--nature's painkiller--into the brain and breaks up the metabolic wastes, or toxins that accumulate in body tissue.

But it's not all physical--massage soothes the savage beast. The hands-to-body touch satisfies our need to be nurtured, creating a sense of well-being and contentment. Massage reduces the effects of isolation and loneliness in the elderly and alleviates depression in people of all ages.

According to Judith McKinnon of the McKinnon Institute of Professional Massage and Bodywork in Oakland, Calif., "The depth of our work is more than skin deep; it touches the hearts and lives of people, healing the invisible wounds we carry and sometimes have forgotten we have."

But choosing the right type of massage can be daunting. With so many options, how do you know which one is right for you? Here's a rundown of what's available...