Should I get a professional massage? What can I expect?

[Lily]

I'm an art student, I sleep on a terrible styrofoam bed and spend my days hunched over drawings and my computer. I try to have good posture, but I have an incredibly high level of stress in my life (I also have post traumatic stress disorder and severe daily anxiety). All this results in a body that pops and groans and is incredibly tightly wound. I give myself shoulder and neck massages daily, and it feels kind of good, but it hurts, and it's so hard and .. well, crunchy, for lack of a better word. I've given plenty of massages to previous partners, and they've tried to give them to me but they can never work out the knots. I've long considered going to a masseuse, I have constant pain in my back and neck and can't stay standing still for long at all.

Also, I'm fairly sure I don't have anything that would require a chiropractor, but I might, I don't know. My mom went to one once and it was great for her. My back is always cracking on me when I turn or sit up, never mind when I use an exercise ball, and I'm not sure how normal that is but I'd definitely like it to stop.

Other ways to combat this body tension would be appreciated. I might try yoga, and I know I don't get enough exercise and I don't have the money for a gym membership but I may start jogging if I can afford some sneakers (mine got worn out and resemble alligators). Also, I'm kind of doubting I can afford a masseuse. I mean I'm really broke. But if it would be really good, if a deep tissue massage or whatever really helped relieve the pain, it could be worth the investment.. anyway, yes, advice? Please?