07/03/2026
Manual Manipulation of our Muscles Matters.
Society has decided that staying "fit," exercising, going to the gym, etc., is crucial to a healthy, vibrant life. We prioritize time and money for gym memberships, personal trainers, and exercise equipment. And yet for many people, massage and bodywork are put into the category of "special luxury." Christopher and I founded BeWell because we consider bodywork ESSENTIAL for daily living and longevity. Not a fluffy extra thing.
We know that accumulation happens. Our bodies thrive on dynamic movement, so anything we do (or don't do) repeatedly creates excess fascia in the body. And this fascial build-up limits movement and potentially creates pain. For example, if you are experiencing nerve pain, the nerve is probably fine. The issue is generally the tight muscle and connective tissue surrounding the nerve that are congested and are putting pressure on the nerve. Manipulating our tissues affects our nervous system and can literally change the structure of our fascial web. Massage and bodywork help create more space in the body to increase mobility and decrease pain. It increases blood and lymph circulation. It balances the nervous and endocrine systems. It improves our sleep and digestion. How many more reasons do we need to start prioritizing massage?
"Bodywork" can be many different things. It includes massage, physical therapy, myofascial release, acupressure, neuromuscular therapies, and more. But it also includes activities you can do on your own. During our many trips to Thailand, I noticed massage was something that everyone did on a regular basis. It's worth kneading, squeezing, twisting, and pinching our bodies every day. For over 20 years, we have been teaching self-massage: using sticks, rollers, rocks, the corner of a table, etc., to work our bodies. It's as basic as brushing our teeth or cutting our nails.
So go ahead and start squeezing. Move your skin around. Press into your belly. Tap or gently pound all over your body. Be creative. And schedule a massage!