by Barbara Cunningham, R.M.T.

OAKWORKS®, a large U.S. manufacturer of treatment tables with global distribution in the spa, massage, physical therapy, athletic training and medical diagnostic markets, and Paul Lewis, R.M.T., an international presenter, fitness instructor and educator, have teamed up to promote quality products and education for the massage therapy industry worldwide. 

OAKWORKS® has debuted its educational series of products by including a condensed version of the Multi-lingual Instructional In-Chair Massage DVD, featuring Lewis, complementary with every massage chair purchase. The full version is available for purchase as well. 

Jeff Riach, co-founder and CEO of OAKWORKS®, is excited to collaborate with Lewis, “When I met Paul at the AMTA National Convention, I understood immediately his innate ability to communicate. Working together just made sense, so for the first time in our company’s history, we are offering a professional seated massage DVD.”

Lewis' diligent and comprehensive teaching style “clearly demonstrates the many treatment techniques, client positions and versatility of our massage chair,” Riach added. Lewis was recently accredited as a continuing education provider in the U.S. and will begin an active schedule in 2010. 

Jeff and Linda Riach started OAKWORKS® more than 32 years ago on their Pennsylvanian commune. Despite its humble beginnings, OAKWORKS® has become one of the most reputable, innovative leaders in the massage therapy industry. Not only catering to massage therapists, OAKWORKS® has broadened its product line to include equipment for physical therapists, athletic trainers, spa owners, technicians, surgeons and others dedicated to the health and well-being of

The contents of the DVD prepare therapists to perform safe and effective in-chair massage on a client in either prone or supine positions. Basic and advanced modified Swedish massage techniques incorporating joint mobilizations are clearly demonstrated with proper body mechanics. Warm-up, self-care and grounding exercises, not to mention effortless execution of techniques, are included to reduce stress on the body. Treatment modalities are combined in the sample routines and suggestions of alternative uses, assessment and strategies for integrating in-chair massage into your existing practice are explained. A step-by-step demonstration on how to properly adjust and maintain the massage chair is another very useful component of this DVD.    

OAKWORKS® and Lewis believe the collaboration will benefit health-care professionals, customers, patients and the massage therapy industry worldwide due to their combined dedication to delivering high-quality products and education.      

Paul Lewis is a Toronto, Ontario, Canada-based registered massage therapist, as well as a NCBTMB- (U.S.) and FHT- (U.K.) approved provider. He is an international presenter and fitness instructor. For more information, visit www.paullewis.ca.

OAKWORKS® is a leading U.S. manufacturer of treatment tables and accessories with global distribution in the spa, massage, physical therapy, athletic training and medical diagnostic markets based in New Freedom, Pennsylvania. For more information, visit www.massagetables.com.

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