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If you or someone you know is suffering from an immune or autoimmune disorder, then you might be looking for natural ways to alleviate the symptoms you are experiencing. Massage therapy is a natural way to help promote your health and manage your symptoms efficiently. Specifically, manual lymphatic drainage is a massage technique that has been proven to help in a variety of cases.

The lymphatic system’s overall function is the body’s immunological response, so it stands to reason that a massage modality that supports this system would promote the quality of life of those suffering from immune, autoimmune, and even thyroid disorders.

Research shows that people suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, incorporating massage into their lives decreased pain, improved their ability to grip things, decreased swelling and increased their range of motion. For children suffering with the same disorder, they showed a decreased level of anxiety, pain and their levels of cortisol were lower overall.

For those people diagnosed with disorders such as multiple sclerosis or fibromyalgia, the application of manual lymphatic drainage can help alleviate symptoms of pain and depression. For MS patients, they even saw improvement in their balance and speed of movement.

Fibromyalgia patients tend to see a decrease in stiffness, fatigue, and a general sense of calm created by lower cortisol levels. One research report concluded that in female patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia, lymphatic drainage was more effective than connective tissue massage at alleviating anxiety and tiredness in the morning.

Most people suffering from autoimmune disorders have an impaired ability to detoxify correctly. Basically, there is a breakdown in the body’s ability to recognize cells from the body from outside cells of foreign pathogens. For people living with autoimmune disorders, their cytokines (immune cells that are a part of the inflammatory response) increase inflammation and overstimulate the immune system. Drugs used to help autoimmune patients manage symptoms target two specific types and suppress them. According to the Touch Research Institute at University of Miami, massage therapy also has a suppressive effect on those very same cytokines. However, specifically, for autoimmune disorders, it’s important to consult a physician first and keep the length of the treatment short to see how the body will react.

Essentially, the underlying cause of thyroid and autoimmune diseases is infections. So, through regular lymphatic drainage you can optimize the body’s ability to remove waste and maximize the potential of your white blood cells to combat infection which in turn can decrease the painful symptoms that accompany a lot of immune problems.

If you or someone you know is suffering from an immune or autoimmune disorder, then you might be looking for natural ways to alleviate the symptoms you are experiencing. Massage therapy is a natural way to help promote your health and manage your symptoms efficiently. Specifically, manual lymphatic drainage is a massage technique that has been proven to help in a variety of cases.

The lymphatic system’s overall function is the body’s immunological response, so it stands to reason that a massage modality that supports this system would promote the quality of life of those suffering from immune, autoimmune, and even thyroid disorders.

Research shows that people suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, incorporating massage into their lives decreased pain, improved their ability to grip things, decreased swelling and increased their range of motion. For children suffering with the same disorder, they showed a decreased level of anxiety, pain and their levels of cortisol were lower overall.

For those people diagnosed with disorders such as multiple sclerosis or fibromyalgia, the application of manual lymphatic drainage can help alleviate symptoms of pain and depression. For MS patients, they even saw improvement in their balance and speed of movement.

Fibromyalgia patients tend to see a decrease in stiffness, fatigue, and a general sense of calm created by lower cortisol levels. One research report concluded that in female patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia, lymphatic drainage was more effective than connective tissue massage at alleviating anxiety and tiredness in the morning.

Most people suffering from autoimmune disorders have an impaired ability to detoxify correctly. Basically, there is a breakdown in the body’s ability to recognize cells from the body from outside cells of foreign pathogens. For people living with autoimmune disorders, their cytokines (immune cells that are a part of the inflammatory response) increase inflammation and overstimulate the immune system. Drugs used to help autoimmune patients manage symptoms target two specific types and suppress them. According to the Touch Research Institute at University of Miami, massage therapy also has a suppressive effect on those very same cytokines. However, specifically, for autoimmune disorders, it’s important to consult a physician first and keep the length of the treatment short to see how the body will react.

Essentially, the underlying cause of thyroid and autoimmune diseases is infections. So, through regular lymphatic drainage you can optimize the body’s ability to remove waste and maximize the potential of your white blood cells to combat infection which in turn can decrease the painful symptoms that accompany a lot of immune problems.

If you suffer from varicose veins, then you know that they mostly occur in the legs and feet. But why do they occur and what can you do to decrease them? Your veins push your blood back to your heart and the muscles surrounding them help push that blood along. As the blood moves through your veins, there are valves that open and close alternating to let blood through and then close to keep blood from moving backwards. Varicose veins occur because the valves that that open and close to push blood along do not function properly causing the backflow of blood which pools in the veins. This makes it harder for the surrounding muscle to push that blood towards the heart. This increased volume of blood in those areas puts pressure on the walls of the veins, like a balloon animal they will bulge and twist to accommodate the volume of blood that is pooling there.

For mild cases of varicose veins, manual lymphatic drainage is a massage treatment that can be used to move lymph fluid into the blood system which aids in circulation and decrease the accumulation of the blood from the backflow. This however, is only for mild cases of varicose veins. Anyone suffering from varicose veins that cause broken skin, ulceration, or who are experiencing pain should seek medical treatment.

Though MLD can’t return the veins to their prior size because they have been stretched beyond their elasticity, but it can relieve pressure and decrease their appearance.

How Lymphatic Drainage Can Aid in Skin Rejuvenation

Lymphatic drainage facials can help you maintain a glowing complexion. When your lymphatic system is not working efficiently, your face shows it. You’ll see that your face is puffy and find the area under your eyes to be darker than usual, and overall your skin just looks dull. Under your chin, there is a network of lymph nodes down to your collar bone and behind your ears. When a therapist performs a lymphatic drainage facial, their goal is to revitalize your skin from the inside out rather than using topical serums and creams to treat the outside. Through the right technique, they can help filter out the accumulation of that fluid that causes the puffiness you see in your face and eliminates toxins so that your skin can glow from the inside out.

This type of massage technique also provides anti-aging benefits because the detoxification of the fluid helps improve cellular regeneration (the creation of new cells such as skin cells). It also shrinks pores by allowing oxygen to enter the skin more efficiently and reduce the appearance of acne by preventing the buildup of oily secretions from your sebaceous glands

When some people think of massages, all they can imagine are dollars leaving their wallets and how they find them to be unnecessary. They just think it’s for de-stressing and relaxing; they can just de-stress and relax in a long, hot shower, right? Yeah…but there are tons of SECRET benefits that come with massage therapy as well.

1. Massage Boosts Self-esteem

Massage therapy is so much more than “just a luxury.” It boosts your self-esteem and mental wellness by activating your “feel good” neurotransmitters. Tension and sadness is then released, causing you to have a more positive outlook on things.

2. Boosts the Immune System

If anyone hates being sick, it’s me. Don’t you hate when you’re sick and look out the window to see the beautiful sun out; it just kills to stay inside. Well, good news! Massage therapy boosts your immune system! While you’re relaxing, your massage is increasing the white blood cell activity levels in your body which fight off viruses and diseases. In other words, you’re saving yourself time, money, and visits to the doctor by getting a massage. Need we say more?

3. Regular Massage Therapy Can Reduce Cellulite

We don’t know a single person that enjoys cellulite, especially in our very image-focused society. I’ll let you in on a little secret: deep tissue massage helps reduce cellulite! Not only is this inexpensive and natural, it also doesn’t have the side effects one might experience with other types of cellulite treatment! Not only that, but facial massages can also keep you looking young. Massage stimulates blood flow-plumping your skin, adding vitality, and activates lymphatic draining.

4. Massage Can Help You Sleep

The average person is supposed to get 8 hours of sleep a night. I’m sure I’m not the only one here that does NOT get 8 hours. Massage therapy has been proven to improve deep sleep in not only adults, but infants as well. Massage also releases serotonin (your body’s anti-pain chemical) which not only helps with any pain you may be feeling in your body, but helps you fall into a deeper sleep.

5. Helps Your Heart

Life is stressful; we have bills to pay, schedules to juggle, and deadlines to meet! Cardiovascular disease is the number one killer of men and women in the US. Blood pressure is a major contributor to heart disease and massage therapy has been proven to lower blood pressure. It reduces stress not only physically, but also mentally. So, what we’re basically saying is massage therapy saves lives. That’s right, your massage therapist is a real-life superhero!

6. Relieves Migraines

Massage is a great way to reduce stress and relieve tension. It especially helps with tightness of tender muscles, such as those in the back of the head, neck, and shoulders, and it boosts blood flow in those areas.

However, massage can only do so much on its own! Tabitha – our in-house “unicorn” who started her career as a massage therapist before becoming a personal trainer recommends incorporating massage as a part of your fitness routine. She became a personal trainer and nutritionist when she realized that massage was effective with a balanced diet and exercise and the treatments last longer.

If you’re interested in incorporating massage into your fitness routine, then sign up for our ncognito Body membership package to receive one massage a month plus membership pricing on all other massages you book with us!