If you’ve never had a professional massage before, it will likely only take you one visit to understand why they’re becoming so popular: they feel great! This is because massage affects the nervous system through nerve endings in the skin, stimulating the release of endorphins, the body's natural 'feel good' chemicals.

But aside from that, massage offers real health benefits, so much so that some conventional hospitals are making them a standard therapy for surgery patients and others. CNN has an interesting article detailing many of these benefits (and some 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, 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

Massages, even between you and your significant other, can be an excellent addition to your healthy lifestyle.

CNN.com March 8, 2007