Massage is the practice of applying structured pressure, tension, motion or vibration — manually or with mechanical aids — to the soft tissues of the body, including muscles, connective tissue, tendons, ligaments, joints and lymphatic vessels, to achieve a beneficial response. A form of therapy, massage can be applied to parts of the body or successively to the whole body, to heal injury, relieve psychological stress, manage pain, and improve circulation. Where massage is used for its physical and psychological benefits, it may be termed "therapeutic massage therapy" or manipulative therapy.

Massage can also be a part of lovemaking for many couples (see erotic massage, tantramassage), and often takes place in the context of sex work. As massage is a lightly regulated industry, clients are advised to get references, ask questions and judge for themselves.

In commercial settings, massage techniques involve the client being treated lying down on a massage table or in a massage chair, or on a mattress on the floor. Except for modalities such as Thai Massage or Barefoot Deep Tissue, the massage subject is generally unclothed, and the body may be "draped" with towels or sheets. This also helps keep the client warm. In some jurisdictions it is required that certain areas such as the genitals on both genders and the breast/nipple area on women be draped at all times. Due to the necessary physical contact between the practitioner and the client, sexual arousal (or signs of it) is possible, but rarely intentional. In many forms of massage, the treatment may start with the client face up or down for the first part of the session: the client then rolls over for the second half of the session. Relaxation is necessary for maximum therapeutic benefits to be achieved.

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Featured place of the hour: Houston Massage Co (Houston) http://bit.ly/ecakz #houston
CenterdinHOU (Center'd in Houston) Fri, 06 Nov 2009 03:22:46 -0000
Featured place of the hour: Houston Massage Co (Houston) http://bit.ly/ecakz #houston
I'm so exhausted. In need of a massage. I feel feverish. I hope i'm not getting sick.
SiMpLy_MiMi (Miriam Vences) Fri, 06 Nov 2009 03:22:43 -0000
I'm so exhausted. In need of a massage. I feel feverish. I hope i'm not getting sick.
#massage Mind-body medicine founder to speak at conference - Terre Haute Tribune Star http://ow.ly/15ZMHe
massageresourc (MassageResource.com) Fri, 06 Nov 2009 03:22:20 -0000
#massage Mind-body medicine founder to speak at conference - Terre Haute Tribune Star http://ow.ly/15ZMHe
RT @danmartell: Anyone else in? t-minus 9 days till the Run the River marathon - it's going 2 be *interesting* <--book the massage!
mikepgww (Mike Shanks) Fri, 06 Nov 2009 03:21:43 -0000
RT @danmartell: Anyone else in? t-minus 9 days till the Run the River marathon - it's going 2 be *interesting* <--book the massage!
#whenimdrunk I DREAM that OPRAH is giving me a full body MASSAGE while I lay in all her $$$$$$$
marcusbowers (Marcus Bowers) Fri, 06 Nov 2009 03:20:44 -0000
#whenimdrunk I DREAM that OPRAH is giving me a full body MASSAGE while I lay in all her $$$$$$$
Hell week is over!! Finally I can breath...and sleep. God I could use a bubble bath right about now. Will someone pls give me a massage?
slukban (Samantha Lukban) Fri, 06 Nov 2009 03:20:43 -0000
Hell week is over!! Finally I can breath...and sleep. God I could use a bubble bath right about now. Will someone pls give me a massage?

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