For me, massage is personal. I don't give massages but I do get them on a regular basis. I find that the quality of my life is so much better when massage is part of it.

I started getting massages five years ago because of a medical condition I was diagnosed with. At the time I started getting massages I was unable to drive, walk without difficulty and pretty much perform any ordinary, every day task. Life was pretty hard and very depressing!

A friend convinced me to try massage to help me relax and to get the muscles to relax and remember how they used to function. I was actually leary of getting one - I know that sounds pretty silly! Who doesn't like a relaxing massage?!

Like, I said, when I started getting the massages I couldn't drive yet. So, my wonderful massage therapist would come to my house once a week. At first I guess I wouldn't have called the massage relaxing! My body would respond to touch by going into spasms! But, thankfully both my massage therapist and I stuck with it.

My monthly and then weekly progress was truly amazing! My body started to respond in positive ways to the touch of the relaxing massages. I would actually feel like my muscles were melting instead of holding their rigid positions.

After a year of massage I could finally drive again!! That in itself was amazing because the condition I had (and still have) isn't curable! Without massage I would still be living with the devastating effects from it.

Now after several years of getting a massage every week I am back to living a normal life! And, I still get a massage! I find that they are an important part of my continued recovery. When I get a massage my muscles remember what a relaxed state feels like and they quickly return to it. I also find that I am more relaxed about life in general.

You don't have to have a medical condition like I do to be able to enjoy a relaxing massage. I think they benefit any body and anybody! It is always amazing to me that my massage therapist can work out kinks in my muscles and target areas that are tight and affecting movement in other areas.

Find a massage therapist that is liscensed - I believe to keep that liscense they have to take classes and stay current on new techniques. I appreciate my massage therapist/friend because she always has new things to try to help me stay flexible.

Don't be surprised that when you try a relaxing massage for the first time - you will be hooked!!