Function

• Massage eases pain partly by increasing blood flow to affected areas. Studies with animals also show that massage releases opioids, natural painkillers in the brain, according to The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, a U.S. government agency, citing a 2002 article in the European Journal of Neuroscience.
  
  

Expert Insight

• A study published in a 2001 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine found that of 262 people with chronic low-back pain, after 10 weeks of massage, over 70 percent found pain relief.
  
  

Arthritis

• Gentle massage can help arthritis patients by improving joint movement and stimulating circulation, bringing warmth and nutrients to skin and tissues.
  
  

Localized Massage

• Trigger point massage therapy is especially helpful for problems with localized muscle cramps. These include neck stiffness, carpal tunnel syndrome, bursitis and tennis elbow.
  
  

Further Benefits

• Massage therapy provides pain relief for headaches, scoliosis, sports injuries, shin splints and many other problems.