How massage therapy boosts immunity
Most people know that massage therapy is relaxing and that it can assist in pain relief, but did you know that it is good for your immune system? That’s right, getting regular massages can actually play a part in keeping your body stay healthy. In order to understand how massage therapy can help, we must first understand our bodies immune system.
A healthy immune system makes it easier to fight off disease and creates general feelings of vitality. Your immune system is your bodies line of defense to eliminate germs and other invaders that have no business in your body. So if you inhale a cold virus through your nose, your immune system targets that virus and either stops it or prepares you to recover. It takes time to get over an infection, and you may need medicine to help, but the immune system is the primary method of prevention and recovery.
One of your immune systems key players in keeping you healthy is your lymph nodes. Lymph nodes are known as little bean shaped structures that act as filters which are located along lymph vessels. They are a powerful defense mechanism, which protects our bodies from unwanted invaders. Lymph nodes house our killer B cells, T cells and phagocytes. The combination of cells destroy bacteria, viruses and foreign substances.
More than one hundred lymph nodes are distributed throughout our bodies. Regions include: neck, arm pit and groin area. These regions will enlarge if the body experiences a local infection. By stimulating the lymph nodes through massage, it helps to clear any blockages and gives the lymphatic system a boost, keeping it running healthy and strong. This in turn keeps your body free of toxins and illness, while also creating a stronger immune system.
While receiving a massage therapy treatment, the lymph moves through the vessels from pressure of muscles contracting. This is good news! The lymphatic system moves fluid from spaces within tissue and circulates it back to the bloodstream. Major functions of the lymphatic system include: returning tissue fluid to the blood, carry absorbed food molecules, fluid and waist removal, ridding the body of toxins that may cause illnesses, and defend the body against infections. Basically, the lymphatic system is made up of many structures which work together to keep us healthy.
Edema is referred to as a pool of lymph in an area. This is a problem because it can cause the body to feel tired, heavy and be more susceptible to illnesses. But by stimulating the lymph nodes through massage, it helps to clear any blockages and give the lymphatic system a boost keeping it running healthy and strong.
The most important thing to remember about our body is that when our immune system is healthy, we are also strong and healthy.