Massage offers real health benefits, so much so that some conventional hospitals are making them a standard therapy for their patients.

This interesting CNN article details many of these benefits (including some that may surprise you). Along with promoting relaxation and improving your sense of well-being, getting a massage has been shown to:

• Relieve pain (from migraines, labor, arthritis, fibromyalgia and even cancer).
• Boost your level of alertness and attention.
• Increase your body's natural killer cells, which help your immune system to defend against illness.
• Reduce stress, anxiety and depression, and ease insomnia.
• Decrease symptoms of PMS.
• Stimulate the lymph system, the body's natural defense, against toxic invaders.
• Relax and soften injured and overused muscles, reducing spasms and cramping.
• Reduce recovery time for strenuous workouts and eliminate subsequent pains of the athlete at any level.
• Reduce post-surgery adhesion and edema and reduce and realign scar tissue after healing has occurred.
• Contribute to shorter labor and reduce tearing for expectant mothers.