How does Massage affect the immune system?
in 2010, the Cedars-Sinai Medical centre, a not for profit hospital in America conducted an experiment to determine the scientific measurable effects of massage on the body. They found the largest body of data correlated to the immune system…
Massage
Increases the activity/ numbers of lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell that helps the body fight diseases.
Increases blood flow (bringing with it increased supply of nutrients and oxygen to tissues)
Reduces cortisol (the stress hormone), commonly linked to the causation of many states of dis-ease
Flushes built up toxins
Reduces levels of cytokines (molecules that play a role in inflammation)
Increases circulation
Increases dopamine and serotonin (just an added bonus!)
Unpacking the data… what is a lymphocyte?
A lymphocyte is a white blood cell found in the blood and lymphatic system, they are made inside bone marrow. Lymphocytes defend the body against foreign substances, such as bacteria, viruses, and cancer cells that can threaten the body’s normal ability to function.
There are a few types of lymphocyte, B cells, T cells and Natural Killer (NK) cells.
B cells make proteins called “antibodies” which fight foreign “antigens”.
T cells help the body kill cancer cells and control the immune response to foreign substances. They do this by destroying cells in the body that have been taken over by viruses or become cancerous.
NK cells respond quickly to several foreign substances and are specialised in killing cancer cells and virus-infected cells.
-Helena Zavesky
Sources
https://www.bvhealthsystem.org/expert-health-articles/massage-therapy-and-your-immune-system
https://www.livescience.com/34910-massage-benefits-immune-system-100908.html
https://www.amtamassage.org/research/Massage-Therapy-Research-Roundup/Research-Roundup0.html
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/09/100908094809.htm
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320987
https://www.physio.co.uk/treatments/massage/benefits-of-massage/improved-circulation.php