Is There a Message in that Massage?

By Steve Godwin, RN

Have you ever been sore from too much work or stress? Have you felt your muscles tighten up and thought that a good massage or backrub sure would feel nice? Probably most of us have. In fact, recent media stories seem to confirm this, pointing out a growing interest in massage therapy and the benefits it claims in almost every area.

This became evident to me as I read an article in my small hometown newspaper about a massage therapist opening a practice there. Later, I came across a Washington Post report about a massage therapy group offering free healing sessions using different styles of energy healing, including reiki. A recent episode of “So Little Time” on ABC Family network, starring popular teen-twins Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, had a massage therapist giving a massage to one of the twins and stating that her chi (energy flow) was really messed up. Even in the Christian community, I came across an article on massage therapy in the April 2002 issue of Christian Health, published by Lifeway. In each of these instances the benefits of massage therapy were promoted.

For example, the Christian Health article indicates we have a problem with stress and one way of dealing with stress is by massage therapy. Certainly it is true that we live in a very stressful society. This is evident by the growing number of listings in the telephone book for those who offer professional counseling, which can be an appropriate way of dealing with stress. But does massage therapy also help in dealing stress? The answer is generally, yes, depending upon the type of massage therapy being given.

There are many types of massages that may be effective stress reducers, such as deep tissue, effleurage, friction, myotherapy, petrissage, sports and Swedish massages. This is not meant to be an all-inclusive list of massages, but it shows that there are many types of massages available. Most licensed practitioners offer these, which, for the most part, involve manipulating soft tissue or muscles by long strokes, short strokes, or by applying pressure. Most massages are done in an effort to relax soft tissue and muscles and to increase blood flow to the massaged areas. Without question, one benefit provided is to help one to relax and to reduce stress.

Donal O’Mathuna, Ph.D. and Walt Larimore, M.D. agree with some clarification:

Massage itself is very safe and effective for relaxation. The main danger arises if people think it actually cures an underlying disease. Some of the more aggressive forms of massage can cause bruising and pain afterward, and should be used carefully on children and those who are frail. (Alternative Medicine: The Christian Handbook, p. 245)

O’Mathuna and Larimore also express this concern for Christians considering or utilizing massage therapy: “Given that some forms of massage can be intermixed with life energy therapies, Christians should inquire about all that will happen during a massage.” (Alternative Medicine: The Christian Handbook, p. 245) By “energy therapies” they are referring to techniques based on energy manipulation. For the one getting this type of massage, this is possibly an introduction to the New Age message or belief that we are all one with God (also referred to as the One, Ultimate Reality, Universal Consciousness, the Force, or Universal Energy).

Many New Agers believe this “Universal Energy” flows everywhere and it is the improper flow or congestion of it that is a cause of illnesses. The goal of energy therapy is to relieve congestive energy so that our “individual cells of energy” can flow more smoothly into Universal Energy. As the Washington Post states, “They [practitioners] believe they channel energy that corrects imbalances in the client’s energy fields.” (washingpost.com, Hand-ON and Hands-Off Healing, Tuesday, 5/21/02; Page HE07)

Whereas the secular media would have little problem making such statements without including any kind of disclaimer that the benefits afforded by such “therapy” techniques are questionable, one would expect Christian media reporting on massage therapy to point out that at least some practitioners of massage therapy participate in New Age or occult based practices.

The writer of the Christian Health article seems to have been aware that some connect massage therapy to the New Age when he quotes one massage therapists as stating, “In my mind, massage therapy has nothing to do with New Age.” (p. 13) Interestingly, in a telephone interview with Watchman Fellowship, this same therapist said she is a reiki master and offers the energy manipulation practice of reiki, which she describes as, “God directed life force energy.” Concerning her statement about massage therapy having nothing to do with the New Age, she clarified what she meant by saying, “In my view, what is often called “New Age” really is very old. These are just old techniques.”

Often those involved in something that is in any way connected with the New Age will try to distance themselves from being labeled New Age when promoting their practice. The above quoted practitioner exemplifies one method of doing this by redefining what is meant by “New Age.” Also problematic is that some who use such techniques will attribute the benefits gained as being from God. Such is the case with the reiki master quoted in the Christian Health article and with my hometown massage therapist whom the newspaper article identified as offering reiki and as being a “devout Christian.”

At this point some might wonder if massage therapy is something a Christians should ever consider. The answer is yes, but not without discernment. Of particular concern is that some massage therapists offering acceptable forms of massage also offer those based on energy manipulation, without making any distinctions.

Thus, if a massage therapists uses one of these methods intended to manipulate energy (chi) that has become congested in your body and in so doing to free your flow of energy to flow into Universal Energy, it is time to realize that you are getting more than a massage.

There are many practices that claim to relieve congested energy or in some way manipulate energy. Two of the most popular offered by some massage therapists are reflexology and reiki. As already seen, these will not necessarily be promoted as New Age or alternative therapies.

For example, the therapist at The Total Image Day Spa who gave a massage to the Christian Health reporter is certified in reflexology (telephone interview with Watchman Fellowship staff). If one goes to the web site listed in Christian Health’s massage therapy article, reflexology is one of the forms of massage listed, and there is no disclaimer. This is problematic.

On page seven of Body Reflexology: Healing at Your Fingertips, a pro reflexology book, the basis for reflexology is described:

There are main circuits to every organ, gland, and nerve in your body, and these circuits have endings in your hands and feet. By massaging reflexes in various places on the body, you not only stop pain but you also send a healing force to all parts of the body by opening up closed electrical lines that have shut off the universal life force. (Quoted in the Watchman Expositor, Vol. 9, No. 2, 1992, 1)

Although reflexology may make your feet feel good and help you to relax, O’Mathuna and Larimore indicate there is little scientific evidence it does other than that:

Reflexology may benefit people in the same way massage helps people relax and reduce their stress levels. However, little scientific evidence supports claims that the benefits exceed basic massage techniques…Reflexology seems to be a form of therapy that may help with relaxation. But given its unproven efficacy and the potential for life energy involvement, there seems to be no reason why a Christian would pursue such therapy. Have an ordinary foot massage instead. (Alternative Medicine: The Christian Handbook, O’Mathuna and Larimore, p. 265 – 266)

Unfortunately, reflexology is not the only practice Christians should avoid that is being offered by some massage therapists. Another is reiki, a “New Age . . . theory of holistic health involving the movement of the practitioner’s hand over and near (but not on) the patient’s body to allegedly balance or redirect energy chakras.” (Index of Cults and Religions, p 30) Note that some practitioners of reiki might lightly touch the client.

In the practice of reiki, healing is alleged to occur as a result of the patient drawing on energy from the universe that is channeled through the reiki practitioner and into the patient. In order to do this, the reiki practitioner must be attuned through rituals and thereby activate universal energy.

According to one reiki website,

We are alive because life force is flowing through us. Life force flows within the physical body through pathways called chakras, meridians and nadis. It also flows around us in a field of energy called the aura. Life force nourishes the organs and cells of the body, supporting them in their vital functions. When this flow of life force is disrupted, it causes diminished function in one or more of the organs and tissues of the physical body. . . . Reiki heals by flowing through the affected parts of the energy field and charging them with positive energy. (http://www.indianreikimasters.com/reikitreatments.htm)

According to Marcia Montenegro, former astrologer and now a Christian involved in ministry to those in the New Age,

Reiki is more akin to the occult than to medicine: As in all esoteric systems of belief, initiation into secret teachings and techniques is required in learning Reiki. This initiation and secrecy is a hallmark of occult systems. The belief in summoning, controlling, manipulating or channeling an invisible energy that cannot be objectively measured or identified, and for which there is no biological, medical, or other evidence, is another classic trademark of occultism. Although disguised with spiritual language and beliefs, Reiki fits the profile of an occult practice. (Reiki: Healing With the Force, 2, http://cana.userworld.com/cana_reiki1.html)

Reiki is also problematic in that second and third degree practitioners (there are three degrees, with the third being a “reiki master”) access spirit guides, a practice clearly forbidden by Scripture.

O’Mathuna and Larimore write,

Reiki is clearly antithetical to biblical Christianity. Communication with spirits is an integral part of the practice, during both attunements and healing sessions. Contacting spirits is denounced in the Bible as sorcery, mediumship, and spiritism (Lev 19: 26, 31; 20:6: Deut 18:9-14; Acts 19:19; Gal 5:20; Rev 21:8). Contacting spirit guides is dangerous spiritually, physically, and emotionally. ‘Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour’ (1Peter 5:8). In their literature, Reiki practitioners claim to seek what is called the Kundalini experience, the pinnacle of psychic experiences, which can cause severe emotional and psychological disturbances. (Alternative Medicine: The Christian Handbook, p. 268)

We must not readily accept a “medical” practice as consistent with Christianity simply because it is mentioned in a Christian magazine or utilized by one who claims to be a Christian or believer in God. Even a fellow believer or Christian publication can get it wrong, so we must use discernment, particularly in this instance. Certainly it was not the intent of Christian Health to introduce Christians to New Age practices. In a telephone interview its editor-in-chief, Brenda Polk, agreed that a Christian should use discernment. This is good advice for Christians and for those of us who write publications for Christians.

There is nothing wrong with a good massage. But when the massage therapist uses techniques intended to alter the flow of energy so that your own energy field can more smoothly flow into Universal Energy, BEWARE!

Steve Godwin serves as Senior Research Analyst in Watchman Fellowship’s Birmingham, AL Office and continues to work as a hospital RN.  E-mail him by clicking here.

This article was excerpted from the Spring Issue of The Watchman Update.