
Massage helps in the development of a healthy immune system (Summary from an article in "Massage Magazine", April 2020).
The primary goal in preventing and managing viral infections is a healthy immune system. (This article does not suggest massage or any other service as a treatment for coronavirus or any other illness.)
Share this information with your clients to inform them about the benefits of massage. They will need your services soon once this pandemic is over.
The health benefits of massage are well-known, and according to the Mayo Clinic. This includes the treatment of soft tissue strains or injuries promoting relaxation, headache relief, and help with digestive disorders.
“Massage is also great for increasing circulation within the body, which improves tissue quality and allows people to move and function better,” Kipp Dye, MSPT, owner of OrthosportsMED Physical Therapy, told MASSAGE Magazine.
Importantly, massage therapy also relieves pain, which affects your immune response. Research shows that pain can weaken the immune system in our bodies. Scientists have found strong evidence that pain lowers key immune system parts. They fight infections and help combat diseases and cancer. (www.cancer.gov, Orthosportsmed, www.osmed.net)
Clinical research suggests that regular massage boosts the immune system. It increases the immune system’s ability to kill certain cells and lowers T-cells. This improves overall immune function (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov).
In this study, 20 HIV-positive men received five 45-minute massages per week for a month. The participants had more serotonin and immune system cells. These cells are the body’s first defense against infection and disease.Even a single session boosts immune system function.
Recent research from Cedars-Sinai finds that even one massage session greatly alters people’s immune and endocrine responses, reducing stress. From the blood samples taken before and after They found that those who received 45 minutes of Swedish (relaxation) massage experienced a significant change in lymphocytes, which play a crucial role in a healthy immune system for disease prevention. Additionally, those who received the massage had reduced levels of AVP (arginine vasopressin), a hormone associated with the stress hormone cortisol, as well as a reduction in cytokines that cause inflammation. (www.cedars-sinai.org)
This research proves that massage not only makes you feel good, but is "essential" for our health.
Does massage prevent colds or the flu? Massage provides relaxation and stress reduction, and when people have less stress, they are less likely to get sick. This happens because chronic stress weakens the body’s defense against inflammation and increases susceptibility to infections, according to research by the National Academy of Sciences.
Massage has immediate positive effects on the immune system. In a study, 34 cancer patients, after breast surgery in stage 1 or 2, received 30 minutes of massage, three times a week for five weeks. Those who received massage showed immediate results: a reduction in anxiety, depression, and anger, while over time, they had positive effects on their immune system, such as increased dopamine, improved serotonin levels, and increased lymphocytes. The study concluded that the patients had significant improvement in their immune system, NK (natural killer) cells, and neuroendocrine function. (www.sciencedirect.com)
Massage and the Coronavirus Crisis (COVID-19): Although many aspects of this disease are still unknown, having a healthy immune system will always be beneficial in reducing the effects of the virus in case of infection and may also help prevent contracting the virus. However, due to the close proximity between therapist and client, we must all follow the "social distancing" rules and avoid requesting a massage until the pandemic is over. Even after the pandemic, it is important to wash our hands frequently and, if we feel unwell, always postpone the massage.
Source: Massage Magazine (www.massagemag.com)
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