When your muscles are tight or you’re feeling tense and stressed, there’s nothing quite like a good massage to leave you feeling supple and relaxed. Here’s a closer look at some of the benefits of massage therapy.

1. Stress relief

Anyone who’s ever had a good massage can attest to its calming effects, and Mayo Clinic states that, “Studies of the benefits of massage demonstrate that it is an effective treatment for reducing stress, pain and muscle tension.” Stress can have a very negative effect on the body, with symptoms ranging from fatigue and anxiety to digestive issues and headaches. If you find yourself feeling frazzled and you’re looking for ways to unwind, you may want to consider having a few sessions with a qualified massage therapist.

2. Better sleep

Sleep is vital for your overall health, and a lack of shut-eye can leave you fatigued and irritable and make it harder for you to focus. If you’re having trouble sleeping, massage may help. The American Massage Therapy Association states that massage therapy can improve sleep, and they cite a number of studies which indicate it can have benefits for children, adolescents, adults and the elderly.

3. Pain relief

If you have tight, sore muscles or an achy hand or knee, you may want to give massage therapy a try. According to Harvard Health Publishing, “Therapeutic massage may relieve pain by way of several mechanisms, including relaxing painful muscles, tendons, and joints; relieving stress and anxiety; and possibly helping to ‘close the pain gate’ by stimulating competing nerve fibers and impeding pain messages to and from the brain.

”Remember: It’s always a good idea to speak to your doctor before trying any new therapy. According to Mayo Clinic, there are some instances in which massage may not be recommended – for example, if you have certain skin conditions, fractures, deep vein thrombosis, bleeding disorders, severe osteoporosis or are taking blood-thinning medication.