When is massage essential? The answer is whenever you really need it to help with healing or relaxation, to relieve pain or to calm anxiety, or just to treat yourself to a few moments of total, feels-great pampering.  The power of human touch, especially as practiced by a trained massage therapist can be amazing. That is the power of Essential Massage and Wellness Center at 1641 S. Milford Rd in Highland. It is the only stand-alone massage therapy business in Highland and is licensed by Highland Township.

Co-owner and certified massage therapist Tammy Ware moved to Michigan from Minnesota  with her husband 16 years ago. After working in several other spa’s and massage centers, Tammy started the Essential Massage and Wellness Center along with co-owner (and massage therapist) Cindy McLaughlin in 2008.

Today, Essential Massage has three massage therapists on staff and offers a variety of massage types – Thai massage, deep tissue massage, relaxation massage, sport massage and medical massage for pain management. Other forms of massage and wellness therapies offered include: Bellanina Facelift Massage, Essential Facial, Essential Foot Spa, Hot Stone Massage, and Raindrop Aromatherapy. They also have a psychologist and an acupuncturist available for consultations and treatments. In addition, they offer Reiki, a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing.

A unique set of offerings is their pre-natal and infant massage. For the moms they actually start before birth with pre-natal massage is help pregnant women relax and help them heal sore muscles. The infant massage often involves help soothe and ease pain in infants, as well as helping with issue like weight gain in underweight babies. They also train dads in the techniques as a means of getting them more involved with their babies and less fearful of causing harm through mishandling of the infant.

Tammy gets many of her referrals from physical therapists, sports medicine doctors and chiropractors; however, most of her referrals come from satisfied clients. Tammy says that there is a saying in the massage industry, “You carry your issues in your tissues.” She can help you deal with your issues by taking great care of your tissues.

Visit their Web site at www.essentialmassagewc.com or, better yet, call them at 248-714-9901 and set up an appointment. With Christmas coming up, you may want to get gift certificates for massages for loved ones – they’ll thank you for a great, relaxing experience.