Massage as a part of Chinese medical treatment goes back about 4,000 years. Written massage textbooks began to appear as early as the fourth century B.C., along with the earliest Chinese medical texts. Massage appears to have developed alongside both therapeutic exercise (qigong) and acupuncture, as it depends on the same understanding of the meridians and the flow of qi in the human body. The type of massage known as qi healing, or curing with external qi, was developed by master teachers of qigong.

Chinese massage is not intended to be an experience of pampering or relaxation. It is a form of deep tissue, myofscial and meridian therapy that speeds the healing of injuries and clearing bruises as well as stimulates blood circulation and regulates the nervous system. Chinese massage also removes scar tissue, eases emotional distress, cures some conditions affecting the internal organs, increases flexibility in the joints and improves posture. It can relieve chronic pain, improve athletic performance and strengthen the body's resistance to disease.

Chinese massage is excellent for maintaining wellness and functioning as a form of preventive care. Other benefits include the fact that some forms of Chinese massage do not require extensive training and can be used at home.

Massage therapy is one of the most pleasurable ways to become healthy. An increasing number of research studies show that massage slows heart rate, lowers blood pressure, improves circulation, enhances the immune response, increases range of motion, and simply feels terrific.

Adam Byrn Tritt, M.Ed, CHt, LMT is a Massage Therapist, author, teacher, activist, shaman and some say, a mensch. He offers Oriental bodywork and Western massage to patients at The Wellness Center in Palm Bay.