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Can massage therapy boost your immunity to prevent H1N1?
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Massage therapy enhances immune system
With the H1N1 (Swine flu) world wide epidemic, many people are turning to massage therapy and other natural ways to boost their immune systems to help ward off this virus. Keeping your immune system functioning at peak efficiency is always a good idea and is even more important during an outbreak such as the one we are experiencing now.
Massage therapy which is generally used to reduce muscle pain or to increase relaxation also has been proven to boost the immune system in a variety of ways and is currently being used by some spa clients as part of their H1N1 prevention program. Massage therapy has been clinically proven to increase the amount of natural “killer cells” and lymphocytes in the body and to reduce the amount of the stress hormone cortisol. Natural killer cells are a powerful part of the body’s immune system while cortisol has been shown to interfere with their production.
Additionally, massage therapy increases the efficiency of both the circulatory system and the lymphatic system. Your circulatory system is responsibility for bringing nutrients to the billions of cells in your body and for removing toxic byproducts of metabolism. Your lymphatic system, which is the primary component of your body’s immune system, also removes toxins and additionally captures and destroys invading bacteria and viruses. By increasing lymphatic flow, massage therapy directly enhances the immune system.
While massage therapy has been proven to enhance the immune system it has not been specifically proven to fight the H1N1 and is not a replacement for the H1N1 shot. Massage therapy should be only be used as a part of your overall health plan in combination with other common sense flu prevention actions.
Additionally, you should not get a massage if you think you have H1N1. Massage therapy is a method of increasing your immune system while you are healthy and is not recommended when you have the flu. The risks of spreading the virus to others during your massage session, and the risk of over stimulating your body during a weaken time far outweigh the possible immune increasing benefits during and active, acute illness.
If you would like a massage specifically designed to enhance the immune system, look for a lymphatic drainage massage used in combination with a traditional Swedish massage. The lymphatic massage will stimulate and improve lymphatic flow while the Swedish massage will increase circulation.
All information and advice published by Steve is general in nature only and should not be used as specific medical advice. Always consult with a doctor for medical advice. All articles are copyrighted to Steve Ibach and may not be reproduced without his written consent.
More articles from Steve can by found on his Scottsdale Examiner Page.
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