Massage is a treatment that uses different kinds of physical contact to relax, revive and heal the body. Its is used to treat a wide range of emotional and physical health problems and is one of the most popular treatment on a spa menu. Massage is the stroking, kneading, warming, rolling and pressing of skin and muscles. There are lots of different kinds of massage, each with broadly different origins and aims- some focus on soothing muscle pain; others on increasing energy levels; some aim to improve a specific physical condition; others to help you relax. Massage makes you feel good in lots of ways, and can have a positive effect on your whole body- your bones, your muscles, your skin, your breathing, digestion, and your mental health. Massage works in various ways; it relaxes and refresh tired or knotted muscles, it increases blood circulation, it stimulates deep circulation, both of blood and lymph which helps your body to heal, and general work more efficiently, it encourages your body to produce endorphins -the natural chemical in your body that makes you feel happy. Its instinctive to give someone a hug or a pat on the back to comfort or reassure them; in some ways, massage is a formal version of that instinct.

In its various forms, therapeutic massage can help to cure and relieve a wide range of complaints.Research shows that it is particularly good at relieving stress-related problems, from anxiety and panic attacks, through to asthma, constipation and high blood pressure. It is effective at providing pain relief- treating chronic pain, back pain and even arthritis. It is also being used more and more with stroke and cancer patients and with people with dementia. Massage encourage blood flow, which increases the amount of oxygen and nutrients that reach your organs and tissues. Whilst massage encourage your body to circulate the good stuff; it also encourages it to get o the "bad stuff"- waste products, toxins, carbon dioxide, and excess water. Stimulating the nervous system and improving the lymphatic system will also boost the immune system.