Bothered by migraines? Trying to recover after an intense workout? Well, you may not have to take a pill for pain all the time. Our Elyse Mickalonis has more on a study that says you may benefit from massage.

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NATIONAL -- Many people take painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs when they’re in pain, but researchers at McMaster University in Canada found that getting a massage could do the trick.

That’s because massage affects how some genes work and directly reduces inflammation in muscles. It's the same result you’d get from taking drugs such as aspirin or ibuprofen. But why try it?

“Anti-inflammatory drugs have side effects,” said Pat Collins, American Massage Therapy Assn. New York President. “With massage therapy the side effect is happiness, contentment and relaxation. It reduces the chemical that actually causes the pain and inflammation and stimulates the mitochondria that help the healing.”

Experts say results vary from person to person, but you could start seeing these benefits and more from massage in just an hour.

“Studies have shown that a one hour massage can heal your body with the equivalent of 8 hours of sleep it is amazing,” said Eddie Smith, Massage Therapist at Body and Soul.

It can even help fight off headaches.

“I see people with migraines, headaches, brain injuries, autistic children, babies with colic and I’ve had babies who have stopped being colicky after the first session,” said Collins.

Experts say that if you’re going to try massage out, you should tell your massage therapist about any medical conditions you have so they can adjust the session to fit your needs.

“You have to be very careful with people who have high blood pressure. They cannot get deep tissue work,” said Smith. “Again because you are working with the blood flow and you don’t want to increase that. Lighter work and stretching is excellent.”

Whether you’re in it for the health benefits or the yummy smelling oils, experts said it doesn’t hurt to try massage out.