Massage the healing power of touching another person. Hippocrates, considered massage of prime importance to any health and well-being regime. Galen and the Romans also prized the healing benefits of massage. The therapeutic strokes and manipulations of massage help to rebalance the body's systems speed the blood flow from the extremities and clear toxins from the tissues. Massage helps to stretch the muscles and tendons and to shorten the recovery time of muscle injury or strain. Massage also stimulates and soothes the skin and the nervous system. It reduces emotional and physical stress and has many clinical uses in sports, medical and remedial therapies. Therapeutic massage is also known as Swedish massage and differs from the lighter massage of aromatherapy in that the pressure and depth of the strokes are firmer and more defined. Consultation with a therapist is required to assess the type of massage most suitable for you.