What’s the difference between bodywork and massage?
One generally chooses massage for relaxation, general well-being, or for addressing specific muscular concerns. Those who are looking to address specific issues, such as pain, flexibility, posture, or low energy or vitality, normally seek out bodywork.
Bodywork, In alternative medicine, bodywork is any therapeutic or personal development technique that involves working with the human body in a form involving manipulative therapy, breathwork, or energy medicine. Bodywork techniques also aim to assess or improve posture, promote awareness of the “body-mind connection” rather than the “mind-body connection“, or manipulate the electromagnetic field surrounding the human body and affecting health.
One form of bodywork is deep tissue massage therapy, and the terms massage and bodywork are often used interchangeably. While bodywork includes all forms of massage techniques, it also includes many other types of touch therapies.
Forms of Bodywork
- Acupressure
- Acupuncture
- Anthroposophic medicine
- Apitherapy
- Applied kinesiology
- Aromatherapy
- Auriculotherapy
- Bach flower remedies
- Bates method
- Biorhythm
- Black salve
- Bodywork
- Bonesetter
- Bowen technique
- Breathwork
- Cancer treatments
- Chiropractic
- Christian Science
- Chromotherapy
- Colon cleansing
- Colorpuncture
- Craniosacral therapy
- Crystal healing
- Cupping therapy
- Detoxification
- Duesberg hypothesis
- Ear candling
- Energy medicine
- Eugenics
- Facilitated communication
- Functional medicine
- Hair analysis
- Herbal medicine
- Holistic dentistry
- Hologram bracelet
- Homeopathy
- Hypnotherapy
- Iridology
- Ionized jewelry
- Lightning Process
- Hypnotherapy
- Medical intuitive
- Mesmerism
- Magnet therapy
- Manual therapy
- Mind-body interventions
- MMS
- Myofascial release
- NAET
- Naturopathy
- Oil pulling
- Orgone
- Orthomolecular medicine
- Osteomyology
- Osteopathy
- Parapsychology
- Phrenology
- Psychic surgery
- Psychodermatology
- Radionics
- Rapid prompting method
- RBOP
- Reiki
- Reflexology
- Rolfing
- Scientific racism
- Thought Field Therapy
- Urine therapy
- Vision therapy
- Vitalism
- Zero balancing
Statistics in the United States
According to a 2002 survey of adults in the United States by the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Medicine (NCCIH) and the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS):
- Acupuncture was used by 4.0% of the population, with 1.1% having used it in the last year.
- Chiropractic was used by 19.9% of the population, with 7.5% having used it in the last year.
- Deep breathing exercises were used by 14.6% of the population, with 11.6% having used the technique in the last year.
- Yoga was used by 7.5% of the population, with 5.1% having used it in the last year.
- T’ai chi was used by 2.5% of the population, with 1.3% having used it in the last year.
- Qigong was used by 0.5% of the population, with 0.3% having used it in the last year.
- Energy healing and reiki were used by 1.1% of the population, with 0.5% having used them in the last year.
The Difference Between Bodywork and Massage
Bodywork is a broad term for many different kinds of therapeutic touch, including massage, acupressure, Rolfing, Shiatsu, Feldenkrais, Trager, Craniosacral Therapy, Reflexology, Reiki, and many more. There are almost 300 massage and bodywork methods, according to the Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals, a membership organization for massage therapists and bodyworkers.
Bodywork includes ancient healing techniques such as Shiatsu and Thai massage, along with modern methods that are often named after their creator—Rolfing Structural Integration, The Feldenkrais Method, and The Trager Approach.
Bodywork ranges from very gentle energy work where the therapist uses light or even no touch, as in Reiki, to sometimes uncomfortable modalities such as Rolfing Structural Integration. In classic Rolfing, a series of 10 treatments uses physical manipulation of the fascia to release old holding patterns and misalignments that are responsible for much of chronic discomfort and pain. Other bodywork methods are aimed at reeducating the body’s movement patterns so that it functions better.
Most types of bodywork share similar goals, such as relief from pain, improved physical functioning, more freedom of movement, a balanced mind, and a heightened sense of body awareness, vitality, and well-being. They also stress active participation in health and wellness.
The Difference Between Bodywork and Massage
In order to practice massage therapy, most states require people to be a licensed massage therapists (LMT). This includes Swedish massage and its various forms, such as deep tissue massage, medical massage, sports massage, aromatherapy massage, hot stone massage, pregnancy or prenatal massage, and even chair massage.
Some bodywork modalities, such as the Feldenkrais Method and the Alexander Technique, have a completely different yet extensive training program that doesn’t require a massage therapy license. The Barbara Brennan School of Healing offers a four-year program in energy work that culminates in a Bachelor’s in Science in Florida.
On the other hand, anyone can become a Reiki master in a short period of time. The symbols and hand positions are easy to learn, and the ability to perform the treatment is passed on via an “attunement” from another Reiki master. In most states, people must have to have a license in order to place their hands on someone, so the Reiki master might also be an LMT.
There are also different levels of training for various modalities. Someone practicing Thai massage may have learned how to practice it in their native land, learned it in a few weekends, or spent months studying overseas with a master. A person performing bodywork may or may not be an LMT. If someone calls themselves a bodyworker, ask pertinent questions, such as what kind of training they’ve had, in what modality, and what to expect during treatment. Formal training, years of experience, and natural gifts are all important in choosing a massage therapist or bodyworker.
Why Get Bodywork?
Many people turn to regular massage and bodywork because of chronic pain. It might take a variety of bodywork methods and practitioners to create lasting change. One practitioner or method might take clients to a certain point, and then it’s time to try someone or something else. In many ways, it’s each person’s own path of healing, and he or she has to direct it individually.
Many people find that it can take years, even a lifetime of regular care, to fully achieve and maintain the benefits of massage and bodywork. Getting one massage at a resort once or twice a year may be relaxing, but it is not going to undo chronic pain or keep your muscle tissue supple and responsive.
*Disclaimer: This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting with a qualified healthcare provider.
Please consult your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition.
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