London - Researchers are investigating whether giving a man a neck and shoulder massage could increase his fertility.
They believe giving a traditional Swedish massage 15 minutes before a man provides semen for intrauterine insemination - a form of assisted conception - may improve the chances of it working.
The theory is deep relaxation will reduce levels of stress and the stress hormone cortisol, and increase the volume of semen (and, with it, the total amount of healthy sperm available).
The trial, at Carolinas Medical Centre in the US, follows Italian research that found emotional stress affects fertility.
The number of healthy sperm was reduced in stressed men, but then rose after the stress was treated.
Neck and shoulder massage has been shown to lower levels of anxiety. - Daily Mail