Many health benefits of massage therapy are well known, including increasing range of motion, improving coordination, and reducing stress and anxiety but many people don’t know that massage for wellness also serves as an important immune system booster. People who receive massage can experience measurable changes in their immune and endocrine response, making massage a great promoter of wellness and immune health. Regular massages have been shown to make the immune system stronger, according to studies.
“Researchers working with patients with compromised immune systems have found massage therapy can improve how the immune system functions,” said Jeff Smoot, 2015 President of the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA).
Massage therapy increases the activity level of the body’s white blood cells that work to combat viruses. According to research from Cedars-Sinai, participants in a massage group experienced significant changes in lymphocytes, one of the three subtypes of white blood cells in the immune system, that plays a large role in defending the body from disease. People who get massage can also have lower levels of cytokines, which are molecules that can increase inflammation in the body. Anyone who is experiencing inflammation is more susceptible to illness of any kind. People who get massage also have a lower level of cortisol, a stress hormone, after the massage. Anyone who has high levels of cortisol is much more likely to have a stronger immune system.
Remember, only receive massage therapy when you’re healthy because on the opposite end if you receive massage if you have a bug, even if it’s the end if it, the circulatory aspect of massage will circulate your sickness and make you more sick. So remember, only get a massage when you are healthy!