Hi Merri Ellen, I've done alot of massage and other types of body work. Probably because I am a therapist but unable to work for about 9 months now. Massage can help keep us healthy by detoxifing us, lowering stress, assisting grief, relaxing muscles and alot lot more. One muscle in particular is the "psoas" it is a hip flexer and is in our pelvic. Sometimes it could be the cause of menstral pain and back pain. Usually the postion they put us in for surgery will cause this ms. to be tight. Can be painful to release though. I have had lots of alternative treatments. With some relief but only temporary. Helped me to contiue and not just lay down and die. Most insurances pay for pysical therapy, start calling places and ask if they do "visceral" work or "strain counter-strain"or "crainial-sacral" visceral work. Cranial-sacral work is wonderful it is very un-intrusive and you feel like you can float after ward. The visceral work is very emotional, I cried alot duing those sessions. My P.T. said she had done what she could and refferred me t a Osteopath that would go into my vagina and release pelvic walls. At the time I was too inflammed for some reason so I canceled or chickened out ! Sounded painful. Yes ,we all should have a weekly massage if pocket book will allow it. Other places to call for references would be a nutritionalist or naturepath in your area. Hey, aren't you in Seattle somewhere? If so I have a great lady for you to see up north she dose it all.E-mail me if I'm right. thanks JJ