Our bodies go through a lot every day. The daily stress experienced from jobs, relationships, exercise and sports all take a toll. Hard work and play combined with a lack of quality sleep can result in headaches, TMJ, muscle tension, fatigue, immune system suppression and other problems. Because massage therapy is relaxing, it reduces stress hormones and releases rejuvenating hormones. Massage helps to loosen tight muscles and increase blood flow, bringing nutrients to muscles and eliminating waste products and toxins.

In addition to its physical effects, stress affects our mental and emotional states. Massage therapy feels good, increases our sense of well-being, and is an excellent way to create and maintain emotional balance. It helps us to be mentally clear and can also address emotional trauma.

A lack of physical or mental balance may result in not feeling connected to the universe, the earth or our spirituality. Massage therapy and bodywork allow the soul to speak – to express itself. As we become more grounded and centered in our bodies, instead of being caught up “in our heads,” we begin to see our way with more clarity. Massage therapy is a very important way to get the nurturing, caring touch we crave.

Massage training was not required in San Diego until 1976. In those days, massage parlors advertised, “Masseuse wanted. No previous experience necessary, training on the job.” Training consisted of 15 minutes of instruction by a person that had worked in the parlor for a few weeks, and there were only a few places where one could get a massage.

Mueller College of Holistic Studies was founded in 1976, making it one of the first bodywork schools in the country. In 1977, Mueller College became one of 14 massage schools approved by the American Massage Therapy Association. At this time the college developed a 1,000-hour curriculum in addition to the 100-hour technician certificate.

In 1978, Mueller College of Holistic Studies and its students became significantly involved in the process of getting San Diego to require a written and practical test as prerequisites for a massage license.

In the early 1980s, Mueller College led the drive to get the city of San Diego to agree to recognize the 1,000-hour Holistic Health Practitioner (HHP) certificate with its attendant privileges. This was about the same time that the Olympic Committee allowed massage to be given to participants in the 1982 Olympics, which took place in Los Angeles.

Massage was beginning to be recognized as a non-medical health profession. Health magazines began to cover what was happening in the massage profession, and society in general began to accept massage therapy and bodywork as positive forces.

Now San Diego requires a minimum of 500 hours of training and successful completion of the National Certification Exam for licensure within the city limits, and many therapists go above and beyond the minimum requirement to become holistic health practitioners.

The only COMTA-accredited college in California, Mueller College now offers Western and Asian massage therapy programs, and still offers the 1,000-hour Holistic Health Practitioner certificate.

From its humble beginnings to its current status as a viable holistic health practice, massage therapy and bodywork should be a regular part of staying healthy and balanced.

E.W. “Bill” Mueller, M.Ed., HHP, is a holistic health practitioner and the founder of Mueller College of Holistic Studies. Bill teaches at Mueller College and maintains a private practice.

To learn more about Mueller College of Holistic Studies, call (800) 245-1976 or visit this column at www.gaylesbiantimes.com for a link to their Web site.