SHERRY VERDUGO-BOYD -- OFFERING NEW TYPES OF MASSAGE

She says that many parts of the body are important to massage, even down to the fingers.

Slowly Shiatsu has made its way to the western world.

One of the most popular points for massage are the feet.

Shiatsu is an ancient form of Japanese massage that works by applying pressure to certain key points on the body, stimulating and regulating the flow of blood and lymph, as well as the glands of the endocrine system.

The Reiki creed hangs on Verdugo-Boyd's massage room.

Stressed out? Migraines? Or simply sore? Maybe the solution lies in massage.

Sherry Verdugo-Boyd, a licensed Shiatsu therapist, is currently offering massages at Select-A-Style Salon, located at 204 W. Washington and she says maybe she can help.

Her techniques include a combination of Shiatsu, Swedish massage and Reiki and she says there are many benefits to these types of massage. Shiatsu has been known to alleviate stress, PMS and migraines.

But she does it because she loves the work.

"I was just drawn to it. I really wanted to do body work," said Verdugo-Boyd, who came to Jackson in 1995 after her husband got a job teaching at Southeast Missouri State University. "But I wasn't sure what people thought about it here."

She was looking for an outlet to start a business in Jackson but didn't know how to go about it. It finally came together when she and her husband were getting their hair cut at Select-A-Style.

Verdugo-Boyd got into a conversation with Emily Tuschoff, the owner of Select-A-Style, about massage and Tuschoff suggested she set up shop in her beauty parlor.

And Verdugo-Boyd loves it.

"I love body work," she said. "The thing about it is that you never stop learning."

And there was a lot to learn.

Shiatsu is an ancient form of Japanese massage that works by applying pressure to certain key points on the body, stimulating and regulating the flow of blood and lymph, as well as the glands of the endocrine system.

Verdugo-Boyd says the effect is invigorating and cleansing.

She also does accupressure Shiatsu, but she says this shouldn't be confused with acupuncture. No needles are used during her massages.

Shiatsu has a long and interesting history. The earliest forms of Shiatsu were being used in ancient China possibly as early as 5,000 years ago.

It was brought to Japan sometime in the sixth century by Chinese Buddhist monks. The rudimentary forms of Shiatsu were more fully developed in the 20th century and officially recognized in 1964.

Verdugo-Boyd says everyone uses forms of Shiatsu instintively such as when we pinch the bridge our noses for eye strain, rub our arms when we're cold or press our forehead to relieve headaches.

Reiki, however, is a Japanese word representing Universal Life Energy, the energy which is all around us. Reiki, when activated and applied for the purposes of healing, addresses body, mind and spirit.

"For me, Reiki got me in touch with sensing energy," she said.

Verdugo-Boyd became involved with "body work" in 1987 when she was working for a chiropractor in Fresno, Calif. as an assistant. The chiropractor offered several types of body work and introduced Verdugo-Boyd to them.

Verdugo-Boyd says shiatsu's also metaphysical. "What can happen for some people is they can experience maybe a ... realization of their problems in their life, and maybe something can become resolved for you."

While this may sound frivolous to some, she has an explanation.

"It's because we pack everything into the body, stress or emotional. Hopefully, the massage can help let these things out."

In addition to working with a massage table, Verdugo-Boyd utilizes a Body Buddy. This apparatus is attached to a table enabling the client's back from their head in the Body Buddy's face cradle. She can then work on the client's back from their head to lower back and they are fully supported and relaxed.

"The Body Buddy would be excellent for a 15-minute therapy where a client may not have much time or needs a quick pick me up," she said.