While most people associate a massage with a spa experience or a "luxury," it may be that therapeutic massage should be a part of an overall health strategy for dealing with certain types of chronic pain.

Research shows that regular massage can be particularly helpful for those with fibromyalgia, arthritis, migraine and tension headaches, and low back pain. Not only does it reduce inflammation and swelling but it also appears to reduce anxiety; and it is our anxiety about pain that can intensify our experience of it.  

Also, in terms of the vicious cycle of pain (causing insomnia that can lead to exhaustion and more pain) massage has shown promise in restoring normal sleep patterns.