Luxurious Necessity. - Healing Touch: A Complete Guide to the Use of Touch Therapies That Promote Well-Being - Review - book review

If you've finally convinced yourself that a good massage or some other form of touch therapy can be good for your health, but are confused by the vast array of treatments available, read Healing Touch: A Complete Guide to the Use of Touch Therapies that Promote Well-Being (Sterling/Godsfield; $19.95) by Marcus and Maria Webb. Marcus (an osteopath) and Maria (a physical therapist) review various touch therapies such as massage reflexology, shiatsu, Hellerwork, Rolfing, reiki, kinesiology and aromatherapy--giving brief histories, principles and methods of application. From these therapies they have selected four--massage, aromatherapy, acupressure and reflexology--that can be safely and effectively performed at home without prior training. They give step-by-step instructions for treatments the reader can perform on his or herself, friends or family.

If you're not convinced that these treatments are no more than a decadent afternoon at the spa, listen up. Evidence indicates they can positively affect your immune system, nervous system, muscles, bones, joints, respiration, digestion and circulation.