Massage can be defined as a systematic and scientific manipulation of soft tissues of the body for the purpose of obtaining or maintaining health. Bodywork is a generic term used to describe massage and its various forms of which more than 75 forms exist.

Reduces tension and stress by relaxing muscles and calming the nervous system.

Improves muscle tone by passively exercising muscles, increasing blood supply, and allowing more oxygen and nutrients into the areas worked.

Speeds recovery from injury by helping muscles, tendons, and ligaments regain mobility by reducing the trauma to the soft tissue and enhancing circulation to the area. The healing process is promoted when nutrients are being brought to the area and waste products are taken away.

Increases energy and mental alertness by increasing circulation and bringing nutrition and oxygen to body cells and the brain.

Enhances joint function by relaxing muscles and tendons allowing for easier movement

Breaks cycle of chronic pain by calming the nerves and muscles (irritated nerves keep muscles tight and tight muscles irritate nerves.)

Reduces edema (fluid retention and swelling) by stimulating the lymphatic system which helps remove excess fluids.

Improves posture and coordination by relieving chronic muscle tension allowing greater ease of movement.

Promotes restful sleep by calming nerves and relaxing muscles, allowing greater ease of movement.

Myofascial release refers to the manual massage technique for stretching the fascia and releasing bonds between fascia and integument, muscles, and bones, with the goal of eliminating pain, increasing range of motion and balancing the body. The fascia is manipulated, directly or indirectly, allowing the connective tissue fibers to reorganize themselves in a more flexible, functional fashion.

Fascia is located between the skin and the underlying structure of muscle and bone, it is a seamless web of connective tissue that covers and connects the muscles, organs, and skeletal structures in our body. Muscle and fascia are united forming the myofascial system.

Injuries, stress, inflammation, trauma, and poor posture can cause restriction to fascia. Since fascia is an interconnected web, the restriction or tightness to fascia at a place, with time can spread to other places in the body like a pull in a sweater. The goal of myofascial release is to release fascia restriction and restore its tissue health.

Reflexology, is the practice of stimulating points on the feet, hands, and ears in order to encourage a beneficial effect on some other parts of the body, or to try to improve general health. Reflexology is most commonly performed on the feet, moving on to the hands and/or ears where physical restraints, such as veruccas or fractures, apply.

Practitioners believe the foot to be divided into a number of reflex zones corresponding to all zones of the energy of the body, and that applying pressure in the form of massage to "tight" or "gritty" areas of a person's foot will stimulate the corresponding part of the energy body and assist the self-healing process. Contrary to some beliefs, reflexology does not seek to diagnose or cure medical conditions - merely imbalances in the life energy (Ki) of the body.

Reflexology has been practiced for thousands of years in Asia. It was introduced into the United States in 1913 by William H. Fitzgerald, M.D. (1872-1942), an ear, nose, and throat specialist, and accompanied by Dr. Edwin Bowers. At the time, he showed that applying pressure had an anesthetic effect on another area.

Reflexology was further developed by Eunice D. Ingham (1899-1974), a nurse and physiotherapist, in the 1930s and 1940s. Ingham found that the feet and hands were especially sensitive, and then mapped the entire body into "reflexes" on the feet. It was at this time that "zone therapy" was renamed reflexology, and found to be effective for more than just pain reduction.