Massage is a general term for pressing, rubbing and manipulating your skin, muscles, tendons and ligaments. Massage may range from light stroking to deep pressure. There are many different types of massage Benefits of massage Massage is generally considered part of integrative medicine. It's increasingly being offered along with standard treatment for a wide range of medical conditions and situations. Massage benefits can include: Reducing stress and increasing relaxation Reducing pain and muscle soreness and tension Improving circulation, energy and alertness Lowering heart rate and blood pressure Improving immune function While more research is needed to confirm the benefits of massage, some studies have found massage may also be helpful for: Anxiety Digestive disorders Fibromyalgia Headaches Insomnia related to stress Low back pain Myofascial pain syndrome Nerve pain Soft tissue strains or injuries Sports injuries Temporomandibular joint pain Upper back and neck pain