It's Nice To Be Kneaded

Massages are usually considered a luxury, something people afford themselves when they're stressed out or for a special occasion.

But what if your health insurance company covered the cost of a massage?

Many health insurance companies are getting wise to the benefits and the savings of a healing touch.

Cherlyn Christoffels has fibromyalgia, a condition causing painful muscle tightness, and receives massages, not for recreation but for therapy.

"When you wake up, you feel like you've been hit by a truck," Christoffels said.

To ease the pain and tension Christoffels experiences, she receives hot stone massages.

The heated stones penetrate muscle tissues. A therapist then kneads the skin. Studies show that kneading can relieve stress, prevent headaches and increase circulation.

Christoffels feels that her pain level has improved more than 90 percent thanks to massage therapy.

The notion that massages are a luxury is changing. Now they're considered legitimate therapy.

Doctors and insurance companies agree that, in the long run, massage therapy can save money.

"They (the insurance companies) are recognizing massage can be an integral part of the healing program," Dr. Jerry Blow, a physiatrist, said.

More than 50 plans cover massages. Not all states make licensing massage therapists mandatory.

To find out if your company covers massages, visit www.healthsurfing.com.