Massage Therapy is a healing art involving a range of techniques to manipulate the soft tissues. The purpose of massage therapy is to prevent, develop, maintain, rehabilitate or augment physical function or relieve pain. It is a clinically-oriented health option that achieves results in the relief of an array of discomforts stemming from stress, muscular overuse and many chronic pain syndromes.

The technique or style used is Swedish massage. Massage therapists use long, smooth strokes, kneading and other movements focused on superficial layers of muscle using massage oil or lotion.

Massage therapy improves circulation by bringing oxygen and other nutrients to body tissues. It relieves muscle tension and pain, increases flexibility and mobility, and helps clear lactic acid and other waste, which reduces pain and stiffness in muscles and joints.

People get massage therapy for relaxation or for a variety of health conditions:

• Back pain
• Inflammatory conditions such as arthritis and tendinitis
• Stress relief and stress-related conditions
• Headaches and migraines
• Muscle and related conditions such as spasms, strains and sprains
• Repetitive strain injury, such as carpal tunnel syndrome
• Circulatory and respiratory problems
• Post-injury and post surgical rehabilitation

Massage therapy relieves stress. It is thought to help the body’s stress response by lowering levels of hormones such as cortisol.