What does the term “bodywork” mean and why do we use “functional bodywork” when talking about what we do?

According to medicinenet.com, bodywork is “Any of a number of therapeutic or simply relaxing practices that involve the manipulation, massage, or regimented movement of body parts. Examples include massage, craniosacral therapy, and Pilates. Bodywork may be used as an adjunct to medical treatment, or it may be prescribed as a form of physical therapy for certain conditions.”

Bodywork incorporates traditional massage techniques with techniques often more associated with physical therapy, exercise, and alternative manual therapy techniques. Functional Bodywork uses this broad range of techniques to address the “why” of the pain and dysfunction as well as the “what.”

What do you think of when you hear the word massage? Most people think of relaxation or a spa. While functional bodywork can certainly be relaxing and a good spa massage can be therapeutic, the purpose of functional bodywork is to address specific causes of pain and dysfunction in order to promote overall wellness. Everyone loves a good spa massage, but at Nurture we use the term that best describes our services – functional bodywork.