Monthly Article
By Linda Hall LMP
The summer has flown by and we are getting into fall, soon to be winter!. Hard to believe summer went that quick! Well, now we need to get ready for the cold weather and all that it brings to us.
Flu season is upon us and it’s time to fight back. By boosting your immune system you can actually reduce the number of upper respiratory tract infections that you’re bound to get by fighting off those cold and flu bugs going around your workplace, school, or even your home. Regular massage therapy treatments help to boost your immune system by directly affecting circulation and indirectly affecting your lymphatic system. The circulation of red and white blood cells increase, which in turn helps to rid your body of unwanted debris or metabolic waste products that can cause disease.
The lymphatic system is a major factor in your body's battle to ward off infection and heal injuries. The lymphatic flow is usually very sluggish in most people and especially so in those that have less active life styles. Massage therapy not only improves the circulation of blood and its vital nutrients, but also increases the circulation of lymph in your lymphatic system thus helping your body to fight off infection and speeding your recovery from injuries and illness.
Don’t forget that stress can lower your resistance to illness. We all experience periods in our lives when stress is high and we seem more vulnerable to infectious illness such as respiratory or urinary problems. If we asked ourselves why this was happening, we could generally recognize that we were “run down”, stressed out” or in some other way not taking care of ourselves properly with enough sleep, proper nutrition etc. We know that we are constantly exposed to bacteria and viruses that are blamed for illnesses, but generally we are able to resist infection. When we need a little help, because we are run down, massage can stimulate our lymphatic system so that our immune system can fight more effectively and nourish our whole body.
You can reduce the mental stress of working long hours with massage, which helps prevent on the job injuries. Massage calms the nervous system, lowers blood pressure, provides a feeling of well being, and can improve your focus and concentration.
Alternative Pathways to Health
Linda Hall LMP