De-stress with massage.

Byline: Bill Clapper

Life has become a literal pain in the neck for many of us. We live with throbbing pain between our shoulder blades, a daily headache or an aching jaw because that is all we know, and we have the accepted discomfort as normal. Much of the pain stems from tension in our muscles brought on by stress.

But there are strategies to relieve our stress-related discomfort. One that is readily available, safe, and free of pharmaceuticals is therapeutic massage. With regular, professional massage treatments, stress is reduced, pain is alleviated and healing can begin.

Researchers from the traditional Western medical community, as well as the Eastern-leaning complementary and alternative medicine camp, suggest that nearly 90 percent of disease is stress-related. By managing stress, we can decrease anxiety, enhance the quality of sleep, function with more energy, improve concentration and focus, and reduce fatigue.

Nikki Campanale of Worcester uses massage to manage the stress of everyday life.

"My stress manifests itself in a number of ways - aches, pains, headaches - but I didn't know I was stressed out until after my first massage. The pain was coming from stress."

Once she was able to de-stress and manage her aches and pains with massage, Campanale saw a dramatic change in her life. "Since I've been getting regular massage, I'm more productive. I'm a nicer person to be around. I don't concentrate on pain any more."

Massage therapists agree. "Massage is an opportunity for a person to reconnect with who they are and to let go of daily stress," says Martha Davis of In Balance Massage Therapy Center, East Brookfield. "People realize they don't have to carry that stress any more. Massage and bodywork helps people feel more connected to themselves and the world."

"Massage really is a way to keep the body moving and to de-stress, especially the way the economy is now," says Sheree Grey of Back-N-Touch Wellness Center in Fitchburg. Grey is one of four massage therapists at Back-N-Touch, which also houses a chiropractor and body energy workers.

How does this healing happen? It isn't magic or some form of New Age spirituality. In very simplistic terms, physiological and chemical changes cascade throughout the body as a direct response to massage. We don't need to know how it happens. Our only concern is with the effects of massage on the body and mind and how we individually relate to and cope with our stress-filled environment.

Luxury day spas, massage centers, health clubs, hair and nail salons, individuals in private practice and massage schools offer healing, relaxation massage. The level of service, treatments offered, location and price are factors to consider when you seek to connect with a massage therapist.

At the high end of the scale are the day spas. The focus at the spas is pampering, and massage is only one of many services offered. Prices at a spa depend on the type of the massage offered and can range from around $50 for a 30-minute session to $125 for an hour-long, specialty massage.

At Tu Moda, a day spa in Worcester, defusing stress is the name of the game. "Yes, it is a luxury. But people go for a massage because of the relaxation," says the spa manager Leann Pontbriand. "When someone comes into Tu Moda, we want them to forget about what's out there in the world. Most massages are for relaxation, and we welcome anyone."

In Uxbridge, the newly opened Spa at Capron Falls offers a full menu of massages as well as standard spa treatments. The emphasis at the spa is relaxation and well being.

Massage centers are a growing segment of the massage market. These businesses are usually franchised and often offer memberships. At a massage center, a staff of therapists perform massages that range from the basic Swedish relaxation session to deep tissue, sports and even pregnancy-related massage.

The franchise concept is relatively new, with most facilities clustered in and around Boston. There is one in Sudbury, about 25 minutes from Worcester.

"We have clients who live in the Worcester area and they pass by here when they travel to and from Boston for work," said Charnan Bray, owner of Zen Massage Center on Route 20. "Several of our therapists come from Worcester to work here."

Zen fills a niche for people looking for an economical massage, according to Bray. A basic, Swedish massage at Zen is $49.95.

Independent massage therapists, the preferred term for those who practice the ancient art of healing touch, are found at wellness centers; allied with other health care professionals such as chiropractors, physical therapists, acupuncturists and practitioners of Traditional Chinese Medicine; fitness centers, health clubs and athletic training rooms; and in individual and group practices. A basic, no-frills massage from an independent practitioner can run anywhere from $60 to $80.

Keith Barbieri, of Muscle Works Massage Therapy on Grove Street in Worcester, works with athletes, body builders and "anyone who pushes their bodies to the limit or abuses their bodies daily at work, like construction workers," he says.

Treating injuries and overtaxed muscles is Barbieri's expertise and he sees a shift in public attitude toward massage therapy. "People are becoming more aware of personal health and fitness," he says. "There's a large group of people who take self-care seriously. Many people that I see get bodywork done before injuries occur."

An alternative to massage centers, individual practitioners or spas are the massage schools where future massage therapists prepare for careers in the field.

"The goal of our student clinic is to develop the highest level of professionalism and practice skills," says Tim Starkey, on-site director at Spa Tech Institute in Westboro. "The clinics and students are teacher supervised. All the teachers are professionals, they are licensed and the school is nationally accredited."

At the Bancroft School of Massage Therapy in Worcester, the advanced students participate in clinic settings.

"They have a working knowledge of the body and they are putting together what they learn in class with the hands-on treatments," says Bancroft Admissions Director Judie Morin.

The clinic is run much like a business, with students responsible for various aspects of the clinic's operation.

Schools have student clinics where massages can be had for around $30. But the low price and high quality of massage at student clinics is appealing and getting an appointment is sometimes a challenge.

Receiving massage on a regular basis is an investment in your good health and as a self-care strategy it is an integral piece of your health and wellness plan. Massage may feel like pampering or appear to be a luxury but that doesn't make it any less therapeutic to your body and your overall well-being.

Finding a massage therapist

So where should you go to de-stress and reconnect with self? Fortunately, there are a number of options in Worcester County. A Google search for massage therapists in the region generated 16 printed pages of practitioners and outlets ranging from hair salons to health care organizations. But selecting a massage therapist from a Web search would be like picking a name out of the Yellow Pages - you are never sure of what you will get.

Another option is to locate a massage therapist on the Web sites for the American Massage Therapy Association, www.amtamassage.org, or the Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals, www.abmp.com. These professional organizations govern massage therapists and have stringent guidelines regarding membership, ethics and business practices. Another way to vet a massage therapist is to check for state licensure or national certification. In Massachusetts, therapists and the establishments where they work must be licensed. You can check to see if a person holds a Massachusetts massage therapist license by going to www.mass.gov and looking into the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation pages for massage therapy. To find a nationally certified massage therapist, go to www.ncbtmb.org/consumers_find_practitioner.php.

Getting the most from massage

Receiving a massage for the first time can be an unnerving experience if you're not prepared. Here are a few suggestions to ensure a pleasant, healthy experience.

Timing: Be on time and relaxed for your appointment. Expect the actual hands-on session to last about 50 minutes. The rest of your hour is taken up with a brief health interview with the therapist, undressing and dressing.

Attire: Your therapist will suggest you to get undressed to your level of comfort. That's a delicate way of saying you have the option of disrobing completely, partially or not at all. Clients often wear underwear, and even socks, while receiving a massage. If you prefer to remain completely dressed, wear clothing that is comfortable for you and allows the therapist to access areas of your body you expect to be massaged.

Privacy: The therapist will provide privacy while you undress and redress by leaving the room. A sheet, large towel or blanket will be on the table for you to cover yourself. The therapist will make sure the draping is secure and covers all of your body. During the massage the therapist will uncover only the part of your body being worked on and respect your modesty at all times.

Communication: Communicate with your therapist. Before the session, give accurate health information and let the therapist know your expectations. During the massage give feedback to the therapist concerning pressure, pain or trouble spots. You may feel momentary pain when a sensitive area is addressed but sustained pain is not part of a relaxation massage. Mention discomfort, whether it's from the massage or distractions related to the environment, such as room temperature, scents, music volume or lighting. Relay any allergy information to the therapist.

Talking: Some people like to talk during a massage while others use the time to quiet their body and mind. Tell your massage therapist what you prefer.

Control: If you experience anything during the massage that you dislike, makes you uncomfortable or seems improper, you have the right to tell the massage therapist to stop whatever it is she is doing. You have the right to end the session at any time and ask the therapist to leave the room so you can get dressed and leave.

Relax: Breathe normally to get into a relaxed state. Relax your body. Contracting or hardening your muscles is counterproductive. Free your mind. Focus on the massage and how the therapist's touch feels. This will help keep you centered and your mind won't be crowded with extraneous thoughts. And if you doze off during the massage, don't be concerned. That is the highest compliment you can give to your therapist, who is striving to bring you to a state of relaxation.

Return: If you found the massage session helpful, be ready to schedule another session. Benefits of massage accumulate, meaning the more often you receive massage treatments, the better you will feel and your body will respond to treatment quicker.

ART: PHOTOS

CUTLINE: (1) At left, massage therapists at Tu Moda Spa for Beauty and Wellness. (2) This page, Chelsea Carr, a student at the Spa Tech Institute in Westboro, receives a massage from an instructor. (3) Tim Starkey, director of Spa Tech Institute, gives a massage to a student at the school in Westboro. (4) Melissa Turner of Worcester is given a massage by Keith Barbieri of Muscle Works Massage Therapy in Worcester. (5) At right, Judie Morin is the director of admissions at Bancroft School of Massage Therapy in Worcester, where students put their knowledge to work in clinic settings.

PHOTOG: PHOTOGRAPHY BY TOM RETTIG