Massage has many benefits besides making you feel pampered. In the medical community, massage is being offered along with standard treatment for many medical conditions and situations. Some studies have found massage to be helpful for stress relief, pain, stiffness, sports injuries and blood pressure control. Massage also has been found to be helpful with infant growth, boosting immunity and cancer treatment, according to the Mayo Clinic.

A recent Oprah magazine article about a research study involving touch treatments suggests that massage might be effective in treating inflammatory and autoimmune conditions. Research participants who received a Swedish massage with moderate pressure experienced decreases in stress hormones and increases in white blood cells, indicating a boost in the immune system. Those who had a "light touch" treatment showed higher levels of oxytocin, a hormone that promotes bonding.

Read about the benefits of massages at the website massagetherapy.com. Kidney-transplant patients, cancer survivors, those suffering from Crohn's disease and back pain, and others share their stories about how a massage improved their well being.

So why not try a massage this month. The Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals encourages everyone to participate in the 17th annual EveryBody Deserves a Massage Week, July 17 to 23.