Most people know that both regular exercise and massage are great for your health. But a little-known fact about both is that they are nearly identical and their health benefits.

Both increase circulation, promote the flow of lymph throughout the body, tone the muscles, release endorphins, reduce stress and yes, burn calories! It is very common for one’s stomach to start rumbling unexpectedly during a massage. Burning calories can make you very hungry!

There is, of course, one major difference.

There is no cardiovascular benefit to massage like there is with exercise. In other words, it will not raise your heart rate which is an important benefit of exercise.

So the next time you don’t feel like working out but want to get all the same benefits (minus one) schedule yourself a nice long therapeutic or relaxing, depending on what you prefer, MASSAGE!