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The Guardian - US
The Guardian - US
Health
Sarah Sloat

MYSTERIOUS: The magic touch how healthy are massages actually - You Need To See This

illustration of white, black and light and dark blue shapes
‘We all thrive on caring, compassionate touch,’ says Dr Carla Kuon. Composite: The Guardian/Getty Images

Massages can feel great. But are they actually good for you?

In one study, researchers observed that 8.5% of Americans reported using massage for “overall health” in the 2022 National Health Interview Survey. However, definitions of health tend to vary widely, explains the study’s first author, Jeff Levin, an epidemiologist and distinguished professor at Baylor University. For instance, does it refer to physical health, mental health or both? That makes it tough to study, but may explain why it has such broad appeal, Levin explains.

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