We all know that massage therapy helps one to relax, anyone who has had a massage can attest to that.
First
of all, it is a tremendous stress reducer. Massage slows down the heart
rate,lowers blood pressure, and decreases the production of stress
hormones, particularly the stress hormone cortisol.
But did you know that massage therapy has been scientifically proven to help the immune system?
Massage
boosts the immune system directly by increasing the number of white
blood cells in the body. In particular, massage is linked to lymphocytes
which make up about 25% of the white blood cell count in humans. A
study by researchers at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles
assigned participants a 45 minute session of deep-tissue massage. , the
subjects
experienced significant decreases in cortisol levels, AND an increase
in lymphocytes. Another study published by the International Journal of
Neuroscience found that HIV patients showed white blood cell levels
increased after receiving two 20-minute massages per week for 12 weeks.
Clearly massage has a positive effect on increasing white blood cell
count, which can benefit a myriad of conditions and illnesses.
In
particular, those of us who live in Austin may suffer from seasonal
allergies. At this time of year, ragweed can be a big culprit. In
addition to the immune boosting benefits of a massage therapy session,
your practitioner can customize a massage for you that includes sinus
drainage. This massage concentrates on the head, neck, face, and ears to
flush out blocked sinus cavities as well as enhance blood flow to keep
the area clear and healthy.
Reflexology of the hands and feet
are also an excellent way
to customize a session, and reduce the symptoms of allergies without
directly working in what may be a sensitive area. What is reflexology?
Reflexology is the practice of applying pressure to the feet and hands
utilizing specific thumb and finger techniques with a premise that such
work effects a physical change in the body.
A
reflexology chart mirrors a map of the body on the feet and hands, left
foot or hand representing the body's left half and right foot or hand
its right half. In practice, the technique is applied to the relevant
reflex area(s) to prompt a change in the related part of the body.In the
case of allergies, the practitioner would work the points on the hands
and feet which correspond to the sinuses, eyes, and ears.The application
of pressure sends a calming message from the peripheral nerves in these
extremities to the central nervous system, which in turn signals the
body to
adjust the tension level, so to speak. This enhances overall
relaxation, brings internal organs and their systems into a state of
optimum functioning, and increases blood supply (which brings additional
oxygen and nutrients to cells and enhances waste removal). It
positively affects the circulatory, respiratory, endocrine, immune, and
neuropeptide systems in the body.
With so many body pleasing
benefits, Massage therapy is an excellent preventive to add to your
repertoire of proper nutrition, exercise, adequate rest and alternative
therapies.
No matter which modality you choose, it is
important to remember that you are the ultimate source for your own
healing. Practitioners do not heal clients, they facilitate; the body
repairs itself. Massage therapy is offered to help bring the person
back into balance so that the body can nurture and repair itself. You
are the healer.
Misty R. Odom
Registered Massage Therapist
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