People are increasingly demanding a holistic approach to medicine in the United States. This approach includes a self-healing philosophy of keeping the body well through exercise and stretching, nutrition, relaxation techniques, and an overall reduction of stress. Careful research has shown that stress reduction prevents or relieves a variety of common health problems. Massage Therapy has become an increasingly popular means of reducing disease by reducing stress.

The first thing we usually do when we feel pain in our bodies is to rub the area; massage therapy in its most basic form. Therapeutic Massage has a long and distinguished history, having been used by the ancient Chinese, Japanese, Greeks, Romans and Egyptians. Therapeutic massage increases circulation, loosens scar tissue and "knots", and reduces stress. Today, therapeutic massage is often prescribed by doctors, and increasingly being paid for by insurance.

Massage therapy is based on the fact that our soft tissues - muscles, tendons, ligaments and fascia - respond to touch. Muscles not only move our joints, they stabilize them, and provide protective armor for our internal organs. Most pain originates from soft tissues. Trigger points - specific responsive points in muscles which radiate or refer pain to various parts of the body - can mimic numerous conditions. For instance, headaches usually originate in the muscles of the neck and head. Low back pain and sciatic pain are far more likely to originate in back muscles than from vertebral disk problems. Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome are often found to be caused by muscles in the neck. Regular massage therapy can help alleviate many manifestations of pain. For more information, see Massage Benefits.

Debra Fennell is a graduate of the Bancroft School of Massage Therapy (BSMT) in Worcester, MA. She attained her First and Second Degrees of Reiki training with Patricia Warren and her Master Level with Katie Malloy Ramaci. Also, she is a member of the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) and Reiki Outreach International.