The cold and flu season is well upon us, when the weather gets cooler and germs are more prevalent, a massage to boost the immune system would be a good way to stay healthy, energized and reduce stress.
Maybe you already take a defensive stand this time of year with a more diligent use of vitamins and herbal supplements, heightened precautions with hand-washing, or an extra glass of orange juice or serving of broccoli. But have you ever considered a lymph massage to help your body stave off the blues of winter illness?
"At the start of the flu season, have one or two lymph massage sessions to really charge the immune system," says Ramona Moody French, author of Milady's Guide to Lymph Drainage Massage, and founder of the Desert Resorts School of Somatherapy in Palm Springs, Calif. "There's a lot of scientific evidence for how effective it is," she says, both in its ability to increase the production of white blood cells and to stimulate the immune system.
According to the American Massage Association, medical studies have found that massage may boost the body’s immunity. Several studies have measured the stress hormone called cortisol in subjects' saliva before and after massage sessions, and found dramatic decreases. Cortisol, which is produced when you are stressed, kills cells important for immunity, so when massage reduces your stress levels and hence the cortisol in your body, it may help you avoid getting a cold or another illness while under stress.
Massage techniques move the blood through the body which brings oxygen-rich blood to tense and/or sore muscles which help them heal and rejuvenate. The squeezing and pulling techniques of massage also flush lactic acid from the muscles which improves circulation of lymph fluid that carries metabolic waste away from muscles and internal organs.
Many chiropractors offer a massage therapist and if you have insurance for a chiropractor, massage is usually included.
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