By Phil Gore, Massage Therapy Program Coordinator, Brooklyn Park campus
Massage, it conjures up all kinds of mental pictures. A dark room with soothing music, an athlete getting worked on, and, unfortunately, the completely unrealistic way Hollywood portrays massage. I teach massage because the world needs great massage therapists. Yes, I said need. I’m fond of saying that there are 2 kinds of people in the world; those that need massage and those that REALLY need massage. Science is confirming more and more that one of the reasons (a really big one I think) that our health problems are getting so bad is because of stress. The 3 main types of stress are emotional, mental, and physical. Exercise goes a long way in alleviating the first two of those, but is, in and of itself, a physical stress.
So what helps alleviate physical stress? Why, massage of course. The added benefit is that is also helps to alleviate mental and emotional stress. That being said, massage is like all careers. Some people are very skilled and talented, and some just aren’t. It’s important to find a massage therapist who makes you feel better for days afterwards, not just hours. And that you find your physical problems getting less and less painful. A great massage can change the way you see yourself and your world for the better. And I think everyone needs that every once in awhile.