According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine..If stress is not released, it can lead to health conditions such as hypertension, heart disease, cancer, rheumatism, aches and pains, infertility and infectious diseases. Massage Therapy can aid in stress reduction by kneading and rubbing muscles so they can relax. full article may be found at www.livestrong.com/article/116429-massagetherapy/