Given that there is a global pandemic, and we are quickly approaching the flu season, many people are finding ways to guard their bodies and improve their immune system.
Some people add more vitamin supplements to their medicine cabinets, while others try different home remedies to protect their bodies. Besides that, some people are considering getting massage treatments believing that it can boost their immune system.
In the past, massages were known to be a luxury, but now, they are quickly becoming a part of healthy and fulfilling lifestyles. This is because massage targets our bodies that go through stress, which ultimately affects our body’s functions and mental headspace. Since we are aware of this, does massage influence our immune system?
If you are curious about the wonders of massage therapy and what it could do for your immune system, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we have listed the benefits of massages and how it helps strengthen your immune system. Give your body a bit of a stretch, and let’s get started!
What are the benefits of massage therapy?
Massage therapy has numerous health benefits that target different health concerns that we may be experiencing.
It is known that massages decrease the levels of cortisol, which are stress hormones, and vasopressin, an aggressive hormone. Massages can also improve blood and lymph flow, making it beneficial for the whole body, including your immune system.
Before we dive into how it affects your immune system, here are other benefits that you get from massage therapy:
- Improved flexibility and range of motion, making it easier for you to do daily physical activities
- Promotes cell and organ growth, which can ultimately help fight infections
- Improves blood pressure and oxygen levels in the blood
- Benefits cardiovascular functions, improving overall health
In addition to these advantages, regular massage increases the immune system’s cytotoxic capacity, responsible for eliminating virus cells, infections, bacterium, and more.
Besides that, massage therapy is known to improve your sleeping habits, which is an important activity that affects your immune system. When you get proper rest, you eventually improve the way your immune system functions, helping you fight diseases and infections.
Why should I strengthen my immune system?
The immune system’s primary role is to detect foreign cells in our bodies that should be eliminated in our system. When your immune system detects a foreign cell, it sends out a signal to the body to release white blood cells to combat and destroy these foreign cells. This is the ultimate reason you should strengthen your immune system to keep your body healthy.
A common reason why your immune system is compromised is that its functions are greatly affected by your emotions. When you are exposed to stress, fatigue, anger, and other negative emotions, it decreases your immune system’s natural defenses. This makes you more susceptible to infection, diseases and lowers your recovery and healing rate.
How does massage therapy help our immune system?
The best way to deal with illnesses is to prevent them from happening in the first place. A great way to prevent your immune system from getting weak is by getting massage therapy.
Since the immune system is affected by our emotions, it is crucial that we keep our mental and emotional state stable. By getting massage therapy, you calm and relax your body, and eliminate stress, putting you in a better space that positively affects and strengthens your immune system.
Conclusion
Now that we are in the middle of a pandemic and the flu season is fast approaching, we must keep our bodies in-check and our immune system in tiptop shape. By having a healthier lifestyle and getting treatments, such as massage therapy, you’ll improve your well-being and strengthen your immune system, making you strong enough to fight illnesses and viruses during this season.
If you are looking for massage therapy in Edmonton, you don’t need to look much further because Therapeutic Body Concepts has what you need. We are an Edmonton massage and acupuncture clinic that offers exceptional services that improve our clients’ well-being. Check out our services today!
