The difference between Massage and Bodywork

Generally speaking, the difference between massage and bodywork can be explained as the difference between Western and Eastern practices.

Massage modalities such as Swedish, Deep Tissue, and Myofascial address specific musculature or circulatory systems, working with the body by releasing specific areas of tension. These are the modalities more frequently encountered in a spa setting, and, typically, clients are expected to relax as their soft tissue releases.

Bodywork modalities like Reflexology, Shiatsu, and Reiki treat the body holistically. With bodywork, the expectation is that increased overall wellbeing will prompt individual musculature to release, and will ease and increase circulation as energetic systems clear and restore the body’s ability to heal itself.

Really, both Massage and Bodywork modalities address the same issues, they simply approach it from different perspectives, massage from the micro, and bodywork from the macro. Modalities like the Raindrop Technique are wonderful because they incorporate the best of both (aroma to address rebalancing of the energetic system, and massage techniques utilized on specific musculature).

In the end, choosing the modality best suited to you is completely individual. Often the best way to find out what works for you is to alternate trying new modalities with integrative sessions, where the therapist chooses. Communicating about what works from each can help to quickly develop your ideal treatment plan.