The prospect of lying naked on a table and waiting for a stranger’s touch might seem anything but relaxing, but massage therapists seek to heal with the same professionalism as doctors.

Vincent Yanez, a licensed massage therapist, has 640 hours of training in massage. He maintains a practice called Knots-B-Gone in Flagstaff.

He said people should not be self-conscious about their bodies when getting a massage. Massage therapists are professionals who are occupied with relieving pain and promoting relaxation, not judging their clients’ appearance.

Yanez said though massage therapists have a more personal kind of interaction with clients than chiropractors or doctors, the same attitude and ethics apply.

“I was nervous when I got my first massage and I will never forget what the therapist told me,” Yanez said. “She said those of us who choose to do massage are committed to the health and well-being of our clients. Massage therapists not only respect the human body, but we are also fascinated by it. We always take into account the person on the table is putting their complete and total trust in us.”

Yanez said he has no concerns about the personal appearance of his clients.

He focuses on the client’s needs.

“You are paying me to help you relax, feel cared for and hopefully reach a sense of calm and well-being,” Yanez said. “As far as shaved legs and such, that’s a personal choice that has no bearing on the help I’m there to provide. For women who ask if it’s a problem, I usually just say, ‘Don’t worry, I didn’t shave mine either.’”

Erin Dietzler, senior elementary education major, said she has had a massage and found the experience rewarding. She was not self-conscious about her appearance.

“It was really nice,” Dietzler said. “I was way more relaxed afterward. I didn’t want to do anything, whatsoever. I just wanted to sleep.”

Yanez said massage’s main positive effects are stress relief and pain reduction.

“The common benefits of massage are the gift of relaxation, a greater range of mobility, relief of various forms of chronic or acute pain and a positive influence on mental and physical well-being,” Yanez said.

Mike Lebec, assistant professor of physical therapy, said scientific research shows massage therapy does have benefits. The temporary effects include the lowering of a person’s heart rate and respiration.

He said one of the larger effects of massage is a temporary overall feeling of wellness, but the physical and mental effects are only transitory ones.

Massage will not permanently alleviate the underlying issues surrounding physical pain and emotional distress.

“(Massage) feels good, so why wouldn’t you have positive psychological effects?” Lebec said. “But if your life is stressful, after the massage is over, the stress comes back.”

Lebec said massage is a useful tool, but should be utilized carefully.

“For the average person who doesn’t have an existing medical condition, there’s no obvious harm,” Lebec said. “If somebody has a back problem, it will help the symptoms, but it doesn’t cure the condition.”

Lebec said massage is only part of a successful treatment for pain or injury. Other therapies also help strike at the root of a person’s pain.

“From a physical therapist’s point of view, we utilize massage as what we call a treatment modality – a treatment that reduces a patient’s symptoms so they can tolerate other, more beneficial treatments, such as exercise,” Lebec said. “Under all circumstances, people should see a licensed healthcare professional (if they are in pain), because massage could make their condition worse.”

Dietzler said she did not consult a doctor before receiving a massage, but she was not concerned about the possibility of the massage therapist hurting her.

“I just trusted that the person would notice if there was a knot or something that needed to be fixed,” Dietzler said. “They’re trained to notice stuff like that, so I figured it would be okay, and it was. It was great.”

Dietzler said she would recommend massage therapy for students who have problems with stress or pain.

“I think it’s a great way to de-stress, and it improves circulation,” Dietzler said. “If I had the money, I’d do it every other week. Or even every week.”

Yanez said massage therapy is particularly helpful for high-stress groups of people, such as college students, who rarely place much importance on taking care of their bodies and minds.

“I have quite a few student clients,” Yanez said. “Students benefit from massage in a very big way. Having been a student myself, I know at certain times being a student is one of the most stressful times in our lives. Massage can make all the difference in your sleeping and waking hours.”

Yanez said just one massage will not cure what ails you. Frequent therapy helps people maintain a healthy lifestyle.

“Students, along with regular clients, find if they try to receive massage on a somewhat consistent basis, it keeps them at a more stress-free level, regardless of what surprises life may bring,” Yanez said.

For more information on Yanez’s practice, visit www.knots-b-gone.com or call (928) 814-9167.
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