Massage is one of the earliest remedial practices and is said to be the most natural and instinctive means of relieving pain.  Research of artifacts found in many countries indicates nearly all ancient cultures utilized some form of touch or massage as a healing method.  Massage may be defined as the systematic manual manipulation of the soft tissues of the body by methods such as effleurage, petrissage, tapotement and friction.  The predominant health benefits include stress relief, pain relief, relaxation, promotion of the circulation of blood and lymph and an improved sense of well-being.  Therapeutic massage is the combination of touch with a working knowledge of anatomy and physiology and is a viable tool for the relief of physical and psychological stress.