There are several major bodily systems that can receive enormous benefits from massage therapy, and one of the single most significant here is the immune system. Our immune systems are our bodies' primary defense against illness and various threats, and there are multiple ways in which massage therapy boosts the immune system's activity level and ability to protect the body.
At Body Balance Massage and Float, we're happy to offer a wide range of massage therapy services to clients in Lehi and Orem, including options like deep tissue massage, cupping therapy and numerous others. Here are some of the ways massage therapy may help boost or support your immune system.
One of the most important and common ways massage therapy boosts your immune system is through increased circulation. When massage therapists use kneading and other techniques to target specific areas of the body, it results in improved blood flow throughout the body's circulatory system. This increased circulation helps carry oxygen and essential nutrients to parts of the body that can often be difficult to reach with traditional medications.
For instance, a deep tissue massage can help break down scar tissue, which is often linked to decreased circulation and thus hampered immunity. Similarly, Swedish massage techniques are known to improve the flow of lymphatic fluid in the body, helping rid it of any toxins that have built up, again improving overall immunity.
Another vital way massage therapy boosts immunity is by providing stress relief. Stress can have a hugely detrimental impact on our bodies, affecting our sleep cycles, mental health and so much more. This in turn can weaken our immune systems, making us more susceptible to illness and disease.
By reducing the amount of stress we're under through massage therapy, we give our immune systems an important boost. Massage therapy has been shown to reduce levels of cortisol and other hormones linked to stress, enabling our bodies to better tackle any threats that come their way.
The pressure and touch of massage therapy can also help to increase the activity of the body's lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is responsible for filtering out toxins from our bodies, and massage therapy helps stimulate it into better action. This improved action helps rid the body of any excess waste or toxins more quickly, improving overall immunity.
This can be particularly beneficial for people who have issues like fluid retention or lymphedema, which can lead to the build-up of toxins in the body and a weakened immune system. Massage therapy can help reduce the amount of fluid that's retained and thus has huge implications for immunity.
Another key way massage therapy can boost the body's immunity is through improved digestion. Massage therapy works to relax the muscles in the digestive system, which can help provide relief for conditions like indigestion, IBS and more. It also helps move food through the digestive system much more quickly, ensuring that we're getting all of the essential nutrients our bodies need to stay healthy.
Traditional Swedish massage, for instance, can be particularly beneficial for those with digestive problems, as the kneading motions it uses help to stimulate digestion and push food through the system.
If you're not aware of it already, the parasympathetic nervous system is responsible for calming and soothing the body. When massage therapy activates this system, our bodies experience a deep state of relaxation which can help boost immunity as well.
This relaxation response helps reduce levels of cortisol in the body and even lowers blood pressure, both of which have huge implications for improving overall immunity. Massage therapy can also help to reduce fatigue and allow the body to recover more quickly, which again helps our immune systems remain strong.
Overall, there are numerous ways in which massage therapy can boost or support your immune system. From increased circulation to digestive system impact and from reduction of stress to activation of the parasympathetic nervous system, massage therapy can help you stay healthy and strong. So make sure to schedule regular massage sessions to keep your immune system in top shape!
At Body Balance Massage and Float, we offer a wide range of massage therapy and float therapy services for numerous needs, including boosting your immunity. Contact us today to find out more about this or any of our other programs in Lehi or Orem.