Besides the obvious — duh, it feels amazing — massage actually has myriad benefits that go far behind easing aching muscles. "The biggest benefit of massage is that it heals," says Stein. "It relaxes muscles and soft tissue, which stimulates nerves and increases lymph and blood circulation, boosts the immune system, and lowers blood pressure. It also soothes and aids our organs, alleviates swelling and discomfort during pregnancy, improves sleep, decreases stress, and puts you in a great mood. It's hard to be depressed during a soothing massage." Fair point.

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