MODEL RELEASED. Baby massage. Therapist massages the back of a baby girl watched by the baby's mother. Massage involves rubbing and kneading areas of the body. It has a variety of functions, one of which is to relieve pain by counter irritation of nerve endings in the skin. It is also used to promote relaxation, relieve muscle spasm, reduce oedema (build up of fluid), and to prevent tethering of scar tissue. Some people believe that it can relieve the symptoms of colic in babies. Baby massage has the added benefit of keeping babies amused by indulging their need for attention.