Webb Plaza

Most of us know the basic premise of massage — working the hands or a tool through the muscles, usually to release built up tension and relax the body. The art of massage therapy requires a holistic awareness of the mind and body, encompassing the skill, patience, and intuition to sense the recipient’s muscle tension and breathing, and maneuvering like a dance within their body signals to create a calm, relaxing experience.

Massage is an ancient practice, embraced universally in various ways all over the world. Record of massage therapy dates back more than 5,000 years, originally recorded in India, China, and Egypt, before moving to the west, where it was embraced by the Romans and Greeks, who employed it as a way to prepare their bodies for competitions. Massage has endured as a medicinal and therapeutic practice and is still ingrained in cultures around the world.

In the United States, massage therapy as a profession did not originate until the 1700s, and practitioners were not called massage therapists, they were called “rubbers.” Although the name might be amusing today, these people, usually women, worked in medical settings, using friction to rehabilitate the muscles of patients who were lame or had other joint ailments. In spite of the minimal training required to practice, this was a profession where women could make a living independently, a rare occurrence during that period.  

In the 1800s, techniques created by Swedish practitioner Pehr Henrich Ling advanced massage forward as an occupation, ultimately spreading from Sweden to the United States during the 1850s. Practitioners of this approach were trained in a specialized two-year program at the Royal Central Institute in Sweden, where they studied pathology, anatomy, and physiology through a holistic and scientific lens.

Despite the fact that massage had been an occupation for several centuries, the first structured association for massage therapists was established in 1943, called the American Association of Masseuses and Masseurs. The title underwent several variations before arriving at what it is now — the American Massage Therapy Association. This body established standards of ethics and education for licenses massage therapists.

Although massage has evolved throughout history, today we think of it as a tool to heal from injuries, to relieve tension, and to separate ourselves from the stressors of life. The quiet, tranquil space provided by massage creates a special experience that nourishes the soul and enables many of us to truly take a breath. Receiving a massage allows us to restore our bodies and minds and revitalize our strength, giving us permission to relax and welcome serenity.

This is the goal of the team and Empower Life Spa, to offer a secluded space to escape daily stressors. They are committed to providing a blissful, luxurious environment to help you relax, rejuvenate, and unwind. Their experienced massage therapists offer deep tissue, Swedish, and prenatal massages, along with hot stones and cupping.

But the team at Empower Life Spa also know that holistic care should target a variety of different treatments, so they offer an array of services to meet your wellness and beauty needs, including infrared sauna, waxing, body treatments and body wraps.

Their esthetic and skin care services include facial treatments, spray tanning, lash lifts, and brow tints for when you need a boost of self-care.

Confidence stems from feeling good inside and out, and Empower Life Spa is here to help provide you with the nourishing care you need to de-stress, revitalize, and reset. You can browse their services at https://empowerlifespa.com, and call to book an appointment at (308) 381-7002. Located in Webb Plaza at 2418 N Webb Rd, Grand Island, NE.