Body Work Resource Center

Touch Research Institute About this site: Touch therapy, as massage is sometimes called, is finally getting serious scientific attention. Researchers at the University of Miami's Touch Research Institute's are investigating the effects of touch therapies on ailments from arthritis to stress, and you can read about their experiments on TRI's Web site. (http://www.miami.edu/touch-research/)   Pluses: Articles from "Touchpoints," the institute's quarterly newsletter.   Minuses: The site uses frames and is confusing to navigate.   Best feature: The TRI Database lists article abstracts that examine how massage, yoga, and tai chi have been used to treat diseases.

American Massage Therapy Association About this site: Interested in a straightforward crash course in the various types of massage and their benefits for health and fitness? The American Massage Therapy Association smartly guides you through your options and helps you locate a qualified local therapist. (http://www.amtamassage.org/)   Pluses: Thorough discussion of average costs and whether your insurance will cover them.   Minuses: News and chat room features are only available to members of the association.   Best feature: Finding a Massage Therapist lets you know what questions to ask in order to find a qualified professional, and provides an online locator to aid in your search for a therapist.

Clinical Somatic Education About this site: Currently, only 50 specialists worldwide are practicing Hanna somatic therapy, a new treatment designed to relieve chronic pain, prevent or treat injuries, and improve balance and alignment. This site outlines the highly specialized movements and exercises used in this form of physical therapy. (http://www.somatics.com)   Pluses: Testimonials from somatic therapy clients, complete with e-mail addresses.   Minuses: Lacks illustration and explanation of actual exercises.   Best feature: Articles by somatic therapists on such common problems as repetitive stress injury, and links for further reading.

Health World: Massage Therapy and Body Work About this site: Substance, not style, is the attraction of this site, which offers an excerpt from the American Holistic Health Association's Complete Guide to Alternative Medicine. The selection contains scientific explanations of the theories and practices of massage therapy and therapeutic touch. (http://www.healthy.net/library/books/mind/bbody.htm)   Pluses: Includes extensive definitions of massage varieties and groups them with case studies.   Minuses: One long scrolling page makes the information difficult to read.   Best feature: null