Massage and the immune system

A headache that just doesn’t go away, a feeling of heaviness throughout your shoulders and neck. You feel a constant chill like you are getting a flu. A feeling that you can’t breathe.
This is your body trying to tell you to stop.

A medical article about massage concluded that “ 5 weeks of weekly massage stimulated a sustained pattern of increased circulating phenotypic lymphocyte (white blood cells that defend the body from disease)markers and decreased mitogen-stimulated cytokine production, similar to what was previously reported for a single massage session ”. These effects can last from one day to several weeks depending on how many sessions a person has.

Your body needs a little assistance to be able to cope with the changes in the weather, your stress levels and just life in general.
Going towards fall and winter, it is vital to get a boost in your immune system to reduce the risk of getting a cold or the flu. A massage can help increase the body’s coping mechanisms by increasing circulation, as well as affecting the lymphatic flow of the body. The lymphatic flow is a vast network of tissues, organs and vessels that work flawlessly together to move this colourless fluid called lymph to your bloodstream.

Getting a massage is a great way to relieve stress by lowering the level of cortisol (the stress hormone). Regular massage can help with pain by reducing it. Especially chronic pain and continuous stress can affect your immune system’s ability to cope. Another study by Billhult et al. (2009) stated that having a massage would lower your heart and systolic blood pressure. Getting a massage can improve the quality of your sleep and in this way strengthen your immune system. It is important to get enough sleep and stay hydrated to assist this process.

In conclusion, integrating a massage into your wellness routine can significantly boost your immune system while enhancing relaxation and recovery. So why not smile through your next massage session? It is the key to feeling at ease and keeping those pesky colds and flus at bay!