It's generally considered part of integrative medicine. Massage is increasingly being offered along with standard treatment for a wide range of medical conditions and situations. If you have never tried massage, read on to learn about its many benefits.

Studies of massage benefits have found massage can: Help reduce stress. Lessen pain and muscle tightness. Increase relaxation.

How it works. Massage causes physiological changes in your body through: The relaxation response, which is an involuntary, yet predictable response of the nervous system to massage techniques and touch. Mechanical responses, which are physical effects that occur in the body when pressure is applied to the soft tissues.