Is massage therapy simply a luxury, or is it truly a health care service?
Massage therapy is a health care service that is tightly regulated by the State of Washington, as well as over 25 other states in the U.S. Massage therapy has been proven beneficial for people of all ages, including newborns and the elderly. Hospital-based and other forms of clinical or medical massage therapy have become increasingly mainstream as medical professionals continue to recognize the health benefits and cost effectiveness of therapeutic touch. When provided by a licensed professional in collaboration with a client and his or her other caregivers, massage therapy is often a preferred alternative to pharmaceutical drugs for pain management and inflammation reduction. Moreover, massage therapy can help to treat long-term medical conditions such as hypertension, arthritis, tendonitis, migraine headache, digestive disorders, depression, insomnia, anxiety, and a wide variety of musculoskeletal disorders. Even though massage therapy often feels too good to be good for you, it real
