Massage therapy can be considered a complementary form of physiotherapy, which many people from all walks of life can benefit from. Some may seek massage therapy to help ease their pain or reduce mobility, whereas others may want it for the more therapeutic and calming benefits. Interestingly, some researchers have found that regular massages can boost the human immune system.
How Massage Can Boost Your Immune System
This article will discuss how massages can help boost your immune system and some of its other benefits.
Types of Massage
Reflexology massage involves the use of a reflexology map. The map will show the therapist which reflex spots on the foot or hand of the patient will stimulate a particular body part or organ.
For example, if you are currently suffering from stomach pain and do not want to take drugs to treat it, a reflexology massage may help. Applying pressure on a specific area of your foot may alleviate your stomach pain.
Hot stone massage involves the use of stones that are heated to relax and massage your sore muscles. In some cases, the therapist may apply some pressure, while in others, they will not.
Basalt rocks are commonly used, as it is a type of rock that absorbs and stores heat. The flat and smooth stones will be placed on your body’s problem areas to promote healing and comfort.
Aromatherapy massage may help you relax and sleep better. Popular scents include rose, lemon, lavender, and peppermint. Essential oils are often used in tandem with deep tissue and Swedish massages.
Deep tissue massage involves the use of added pressure to penetrate deeply into your sore tendons and muscles. Those who suffer from stiffness and pain caused by arthritis may benefit from a deep tissue massage. The connective tissues in the patient’s body are targeted to relieve chronic pain, surround, inhabit, and support many nerves, bones, muscles, and organs.
Trigger point massage involves the targeting of knots or muscle tightness. Deep tissue and Swedish massage techniques are often combined during a trigger point massage. A trigger point is a part of the body that causes problems somewhere else. By eliminating muscle tightness in affected areas, you may notice a reduction in headaches and other ailments.
How Does Massage Boost Your Immune System?
Recent research has found that receiving regular massage therapy may help boost your immune system. There’s a myth that massage releases toxins (specifically, lactic acid), as proven not to be the case. However, it can be a detoxifying experience and facilitate the healthy flow of blood throughout your body.
As well, massage therapy will augment the number of white blood cells. White blood cells are necessary to help the body fight or stave off infections and pathogens. Massage therapy may also reduce the amount of cortisol that is produced by the body. Cortisol is a stress hormone, so an abundance of stress will hinder the ability of your immune system to work as intended.
If you want to increase the number of lymphocytes (white blood cells) produced by your body, you may want to consider a 45-minute massage. Clinical research has found that regular massages will help improve the immune system’s ability to kill specific dangerous cells organically.
Massage therapy may lower the number of T-cells as well, which will help improve overall immunological functionality. In the study, twenty men with HIV received twenty 45-minute massages over a month.
The subjects showed an increase in the cells that comprise the system’s defense against disease. The subjects also showed an increase in serotonin levels. The researchers concluded that regular massage therapy might accelerate the recovery process due to elevated circulation of the vascular and lymphatic systems.
Even pregnant women may benefit from massage therapy. A randomized controlled trial found that pregnant women who received a 70-minute aromatherapy massage every other week showed drastically lowered cortisol levels.
They demonstrated ameliorated levels of other immune markers as well. The research team concluded that regular aromatherapy might help reduce stress levels in expectant mothers and enhance their immune systems.
It is important to note that chronic stress will increase your susceptibility to becoming infected with a cold or flu virus. This is because stress impairs the inflammatory immune response of the human body. Regular massages have been shown to reduce chronic stress, so the added boost to your immune system will make you less vulnerable to certain infections and diseases.
Other Benefits of Massage Therapy
Massage therapy has been clinically proven to help lower both acute and chronic stress. However, it also has many other health benefits.
For example, it can help your body eliminate toxins faster and more efficiently to make you feel healthier and more energized. It can also boost your flexibility, allowing for an improved range of motion and lower susceptibility to strains, sprains, and muscle spasms.
As well, those who suffer from nocturia or insomnia may benefit from massage therapy, as aromatherapy may help you sleep better. Massage therapy will also help reduce chronic pain and elevate your energy levels to be motivated to exercise more and maintain a healthy weight.
Stay Healthy
When combined with regular exercise and a healthy and balanced diet, massage therapy can help increase energy levels, reduce chronic pain, increase your range of motion, boost sleep quality, reduce stress and anxiety, and strengthen your immune system.
If you are currently suffering from a chronic or acute health problem, you should first speak to your doctor. After a proper diagnosis, they may refer you to a massage therapist to obtain a holistic treatment for your health problems. Massage therapy is non-invasive and does not involve drugs, such as painkillers, to reduce pain and promote healing.
