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With cold and flu season quickly approaching, many people are looking for ways to bolster their immune systems. One method that may surprise you is massage therapy. If you’re considering booking a massage, even one session may be enough to help fend off illness. Here’s how this relaxing treatment can lead to better immune function.

How Massage Therapy Can Help Strengthen the Immune System

1. Improves Circulation

massage therapy

The pressure created by massage techniques gets your blood flowing, increasing circulation. As blood circulates through the body, it delivers oxygen and essential nutrients to all tissues while removing metabolic wastes. It also transports white blood cells from the immune system to detect bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites and fight off infections. Massage therapy encourages blood to move more efficiently through congested areas, allowing the immune system and other areas of the body to do their job.

2. Reduces Stress

Anyone who has had a massage can attest to the relaxing nature of the experience. Easing stress isn’t just good for your mood, however—it can also benefit your health. Research shows that long-term stress weakens the immune system, leaving you more susceptible to infections. This is because the stress hormone cortisol decreases the levels of white blood cells that fight infections. Regular massage therapy can treat stress and anxiety, which helps keep the immune system strong.

3. Relieves Pain

Like stress, ongoing pain can affect immune function. Whether it is from a chronic health condition or the long-term effects of an injury, your body’s stress response to pain could be limiting your ability to resist infections. Massage therapy is often used to treat localized pain, muscle soreness, and stiff joints. Studies show that this method of treatment can be a powerful tool in managing acute and chronic pain.

 

If you’re looking for additional ways to strengthen your immune system throughout cold and flu season, book an appointment with MassageLuXe. With three convenient locations in Edwardsville and Springfield, IL, and Carmel, IN, these professionals are dedicated to helping clients improve their health and wellness with therapeutic massage treatments. They specialize in various techniques to better serve your needs, including sports massage, reflexology, hot stone massage, and Swedish massage. Visit the website for more information about their methods and services. To schedule an appointment, call (618) 307-0093 for the Edwardsville location, (217) 702-4444 for Springfield, or (317) 203-3303 for Carmel.

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