1. the art of treating the body by rubbing, kneading, patting, or the like, to stimulate circulation, increase suppleness, relieve tension, etc.

Massage is relaxing. When the body and mind are calm the body is better able to heal itself. Massage improves sleep, and sleep allows the body to heal itself from the damage inflicted by everyday life. Nerve pain is often caused by muscle spasms; massage helps relieve the muscle spasms and, in turn, the pressure on the nerve.