Benefits of Massage while fighting the common cold
Massage is a wonderful tool for dealing with all sorts of problems. From sore backs, to digestive issues, comfort during the recovery of an injury, as well as potentially speeding up the recovery process itself. Massage has a wide range of uses make it a practical choice when looking to enhance your sense of well being as well as your health. However, you might not think to use massage to help combat cold and flu season, due to beliefs that all you need to subdue the common cold and flu is take vitamin C, drink plenty of water, and attempt to manage it with over the counter medication. Although these steps undoubtedly work, why not try an additional step to fighting the cold and other common illnesses that seem to plague our beautiful country in the winter months.
Some of the reasons why massage can be an effective means to fight these annual visitors is, that it can help you feel better by boosting your levels of oxytocin, the hormone in the blood that gives the feeling of contentment. Secondly, it decreases the levels of cortisol, the stress hormone. Another great result of massage is that it can increase blood flow in the body, which helps to flush the skin and increase circulation. Doing all this to the body while being sick will definitely help, but the real reason massage works so well when fighting the cold or flu, is that it helps circulate lymphatic fluid throughout the body. Lymph, as it is called, is a fluid that carries lymphocytes. These are the disease fighting white blood cells that are crucial to staying healthy. A technique called manual lymphatic drainage helps to remove toxins and wastes by increasing the flow of lymph in the body. It also triggers the body to increase the production of lymphocytes, making the body more efficient in warding off pesky bacteria and viruses. When this technique is performed on the face, it helps to decongest the sinuses, relieves pressure (headaches), therefore helping to give you the REST that is vital to recovery.
For more information please contact Leo to book your next massage.
Written by Leonide Chartier RMT
Some of the reasons why massage can be an effective means to fight these annual visitors is, that it can help you feel better by boosting your levels of oxytocin, the hormone in the blood that gives the feeling of contentment. Secondly, it decreases the levels of cortisol, the stress hormone. Another great result of massage is that it can increase blood flow in the body, which helps to flush the skin and increase circulation. Doing all this to the body while being sick will definitely help, but the real reason massage works so well when fighting the cold or flu, is that it helps circulate lymphatic fluid throughout the body. Lymph, as it is called, is a fluid that carries lymphocytes. These are the disease fighting white blood cells that are crucial to staying healthy. A technique called manual lymphatic drainage helps to remove toxins and wastes by increasing the flow of lymph in the body. It also triggers the body to increase the production of lymphocytes, making the body more efficient in warding off pesky bacteria and viruses. When this technique is performed on the face, it helps to decongest the sinuses, relieves pressure (headaches), therefore helping to give you the REST that is vital to recovery.
For more information please contact Leo to book your next massage.
Written by Leonide Chartier RMT
