Besides the obvious uses of massage to alleviate the pain of stress, physical injury and degeneration, massage and bodywork are powerful tools in assisting the reshaping and healing of an unkind self-image -- through increasing the sense of self in the body, awareness of how one is living in one's body and honoring the body's messages.  Why do this?  Because we need a healthy sense of self, based in reality (not fantasy) to be in charge of our lives with honesty, integrity, love, respect and passion.