Did you know that one single massage can produce immune-boosting effects? Now more than ever, people are looking for preventive ways to stay healthy and support their immune system. Eating right, physical activity, and taking care of your mental health are just some of the measures we can take to increase our chances of not getting sick. These factors also play a part in helping us recover sooner.
Massage is also a way to help you maintain your health and give your immune system a better chance of fending off colds, viruses, and other illnesses. In fact, there have been studies that scientifically measure the advantages of massage on your immune system.
Cedars-Sinai Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences conducted a study that demonstrated how massage offers more than just feel-good benefits. In the study, participants had their blood taken during and after a 45-minute massage session. The results of the blood samples showed:
- Significant changes in lymphocytes numbers, or white blood cells
- Decreases in Arginine Vasopressin, a hormone linked to aggressive behavior
- Decreases in the stress hormone cortisol
- Decreases in inflammatory cytokines, produced by infection-fighting white blood cells
Keep in mind, these positive results were from just one massage.
Massage Therapy to Reduce Stress
Another study focused on pregnant women and how aromatherapy massage helped decrease stress and improve their immune function. Chronic stress limits the immune system’s ability to fend off antigens leaving us more vulnerable to infections. Massage therapy’s ability to reduce stress levels, not just in pregnant women but anyone under stress, is just one other way massage therapy can keep us out of the doctor’s office.
If you would like more information on how massage can boost your immune system and help protect your health and well being, please feel free to contact our Merrimack, NH office. You can email us directly or call our office.
