Homeostasis is the internal balance of the body's systems, and stress is the stimulus that upsets that balance. Both physical and psychological stress can upset homeostasis. The internal structure of the body is designed to compensate for most stresses; however, at times stress becomes too much for the body to handle. Stress can lead to disease if certain functions within the body are inhibited. Massage helps to reduce this interference by inhibiting the depleting effects of stress while promoting proper system function.