For centuries mankind has envied pizza dough and wondered how we too could be kneaded to relaxed, savory states without paying for the luxury of being escorted via wooden paddle to a Sicilian brick oven. Be pounded into the shape of relaxation with today's Groupon: for $35, you get a one-hour custom massage at Knead for Health in Jefferson City (a $70 value).

Bending and shaping the human body with a combination of techniques, such as myofascial release, deep-tissue massage, sports massage, and classic relaxation-massage therapy, Lori Maloney at Knead for Health eases tension out of weary flexors. Each muscle manipulation is fully customized, addressing specific aches and heightening the relaxation of the entire body.

The myofascial-release treatment works to untangle frazzled fascia and unleash a torrent of pent-up serenity, while deep-tissue therapy stretches, compresses, and bends the body in hopes of evicting chronic pain, stiffness, and trouble spots from the frame. For soreness caused by running, lifting weights, or medicine-ball juggling, sports-massage techniques work on problem areas such as the upper and lower back while the gliding, smoothing, and kneading motions of classic relaxation massage relieve mental stress.