A family member or friend could give you a massage. Or you could get a professional massage. In either case, there are things you can do to help make sure that the massage is safe. If you get a professional massage, tell your massage therapist that you are pregnant. Be sure that your massage therapist has special...

Discusses aromatherapy (essential oils therapy) to treat disease. Includes oils that are put on the skin or in bath water, sprayed, inhaled, or massaged. Looks at uses to relax, relieve stress, and treat illness. Covers safety.

Manual therapy is a general term for treatment done mostly with the hands. The goals of manual therapy include relaxation, less pain, and more flexibility. Manual therapy can include: Massage. Pressure is applied to the soft tissues of the body, such as the muscles. Massage can help relax muscles, increase circulation...

Discusses exercise, manual therapy, and education for chronic conditions like COPD or arthritis. Covers goals that include increasing flexibility, strength, and endurance. Covers what to expect.

Painful knee arthritis can keep you from being as active as you need to be. You may not walk as much. You may avoid going up and down stairs. But when you don't move that knee as much, the ligaments, tendons, and muscles around it can shorten and get weaker. Movement also pumps fluid in and out of the joint space, which...

Information on fibromyalgia, a syndrome that causes people to feel pain even when there is no injury. Covers symptoms and how it is diagnosed. Includes info on treatments such as medicines, exercise therapy, and cognitive-behavioral therapy.

Explains how aerobic, strength, and range-of-motion exercises help with arthritis, and offers tips for how to get started with these types of exercise. Provides tips for using heat and ice after exercise. Recommends checking with a doctor or physical therapist before starting new exercise.

Identifies a variety of techniques for relaxing your mind and body. Includes links to more information on many techniques.

What is neck pain? Neck pain is pain that can occur anywhere in your neck, from the bottom of your head to the top of your shoulders. It can spread to your upper back or arms. It may limit how much you can move your head and neck. Neck pain is common, especially in people older than 50. What causes it? Neck pain can be...

After a stroke, you may not feel temperature, touch, pain, or sharpness on one side of your body. This may lead to injuries such as: Cuts and scratches.These can happen if your nails aren't kept short and smooth. For example, if you can't feel...

Discusses bone spur, a bony growth formed on normal bone. Includes info on common sites for bone spurs like the heel and shoulder. Covers causes, symptoms, and how they are diagnosed. Discusses treatment with medicines or surgery.

Covers the causes and symptoms of upper and middle back pain. Looks at treatment with rest, pain medicine, and surgery. Includes steps to prevent back pain from returning, such as practicing good posture and getting regular exercise.

The rotator cuff is a group of tough, flexible fibers (tendons) and muscles in the shoulder. Rotator cuff disorders include: Irritation or damage to the tendons (tendinopathy, sometimes called tendinitis). Inflammation or irritation of a bursa...

Provides tips for managing swelling from lymphedema. Covers symptoms to watch for, ways to keep lymph fluid moving, and tips for protecting and caring for the affected arm or leg.

Discusses chronic pain caused by problems other than cancer. Covers symptoms and how chronic pain is diagnosed. Covers conditions that can be treated, like neck pain, low back pain, and arthritis. Info on treatment with medicine and lifestyle changes.

Discusses causes and symptoms like sadness and feelings of helplessness. Covers related illnesses like bipolar disorder and SAD. Looks at treatment with medicines, counseling, and lifestyle choices. Discusses suicidal thoughts and when to call a doctor.

Discusses herniated disc, which is also called a slipped or ruptured disc. Covers symptoms like back pain, numbness, and weakness. Looks at sciatica and bulging disc. Discusses nonsurgical and surgical treatment options. Offers prevention tips.

Covers causes and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. Looks at treatment with medicine, exercise, and lifestyle changes. Discusses things you can do at home to relieve your symptoms and help control the disease. Includes importance of regular checkups.

Discusses exercises to stretch and strengthen the plantar fascia ligament and Achilles tendon. Includes step-by-step instructions and photos for each exercise.

Covers the four courses of MS: relapsing-remitting, secondary progressive, primary progressive, and progressive relapse. Discusses early and advanced symptoms. Also covers complications. Discusses diagnosis and treatment. Includes info on pregnancy and MS.

Covers exercises that may help reduce low back pain. Provides step-by-step instructions for each exercise. Groups the exercises based on whether pain is relieved by standing, sitting, or neither.

Defines flatfoot, its causes, and who is affected by the condition. Lists symptoms and discusses treatment options. Offers pictures of exercises that may help.

What are sexual problems? A sexual problem is something that keeps sex from being satisfying or positive. Most people have symptoms of a sexual problem at one time or another. For some, the symptoms are ongoing. But your symptoms are only a sexual problem if they bother you or cause problems in your relationship. There...

Lymphedema is a collection of fluid called lymph in the tissues of the body. Normally, this fluid flows through the lymph system. If that system isn't working as it should, fluid can build up in the affected area and cause lymphedema. This happens most often in an arm or leg. What causes lymphedema? Lymphedema may be...