Massage and immunity: 5 massage techniques to strengthen the body during the final cold months
Winter’s on its way, and we’re starting to get a bit fed up of having nose drops and falling ill every 2 weeks. Especially as winter progresses, it seems to be getting worse and worse!
And it may not just be an impression: with the cold of winter, the immune system tends to be at half-mast.
But did you know that there is a very close link between massage and immunity?
And one way of boosting your immune system is to have a regular massage?
At Nandara, we know all about wellness massages. Here are the 5 perfect massage techniques to boost your immunity!
Why does massage influence immunity?
Before we go any further, let’s take a moment to understand why massage can play such an important role in boosting your immune system. What is the link between massage and immunity?
Massage acts directly on several levels: it stimulates blood circulation, encourages lymphatic drainage and reduces stress. These elements are crucial to maintaining a strong immune system.
In the human body, each organ and each system has its own role, but it is by working together that they ensure your health.
Following this logic, massage helps to release tension and boost energy flow, so that your body is in top form.
The endorphins released during a massage, for example, don’t just relax you: they also regulate your immune response.
For all these reasons, massage is a health benefit! But what type of massage should you choose to optimise the link between massage and immunity during winter?
1 – Lymphatic massage: a detoxifying and stimulating ally
Let’s start with lymphatic massage, which has a very marked impact on blood and lymph circulation(as its name suggests).
Lymphatic drainage is a key technique when it comes to supporting immunity. Lymph, the transparent liquid that circulates throughout your body, plays an essential role in transporting toxins and renewing white blood cells, the warriors of your immune system.
Manual lymphatic drainage, using slow, deep and repetitive movements, helps to relieve congestion in the lymph nodes and promote the elimination of waste products.
Let’s take a concrete example: if you feel heaviness in your legs or general tiredness, this could be a sign that your lymphatic system needs a boost.
A specific massage focused on stimulating the ganglions in the armpits, neck and groin can be a real boost to your immune system.
2 – Swedish massage to boost circulation
In the same vein, Swedish massage, with its deep, energising strokes, is an excellent option for improving blood circulation.
Why is it so important? Because blood carries oxygen and essential nutrients to every cell in your body. An optimised circulatory system enables your immune system to react more quickly in the event of a viral or bacterial attack.
Swedish massage ensures the smooth circulation of all nutrients and waste products in your body.
Effleurage, kneading and deep pressure stimulate the tissues and allow the blood to better nourish your organs and muscles. The result? A stronger body, better equipped to deal with external aggression.
Massage and immunity are a love match!
3 – Aromatherapy for your health
As well as massage protocols, did you know that aromatherapy can also be a great way to boost your immune system?
By the same token, you can boost the effectiveness of your massages by combining them with aromatherapy!
Incorporating essential oils into your massage can be a powerful way of boosting its effect on your immunity.
Certain oils, such as eucalyptus oil, ravintsara or peppermint, have natural antiviral and antiseptic properties . When combined with massage movements, they penetrate your skin and act directly on your body.
What more could you ask for to give your immune system a boost?
4 – Hot stone massage: warmth and comfort
Hot stone massage is another technique particularly suited to the colder months.
The basalt stones, heated to an ideal temperature, are placed at strategic points on the body, such as along the spine or on tense muscles.
This heat penetrates deep into the body, relaxing muscles and stimulating energy flow.
By warming the body, this type of massage helps to improve circulation and reduce stress, which are essential factors in maintaining a healthy immune system.
This massage is ideal for those who suffer from chronic tension or feel the need for enveloping warmth during the winter months. It provides a feeling of comfort while helping your body to revitalise itself.
So why not take a hot stone massage course? Sandra Marin from Temana shows you how to massage your back with stones!
5 – Shiatsu: harmonising vital energy
Finally, it’s impossible not to take a look at energetic massages when talking about massage and immunity.
Originating in Japan, shiatsu is based on the application of targeted pressure along the body’s energy meridians. The aim is to restore the balance between the various vital forces circulating within you.
By harmonising these energy flows, shiatsu naturally boosts your resistance to illness and eliminates blockages that could weaken your body.
Shiatsu is particularly effective for people who are sensitive to stress or intense emotions. By stimulating specific points, it acts as a complete reset for your body, giving you renewed energy and a better ability to cope with external stresses.
Don’t wait until next winter to learn about Shiatsu massage!
The role of stress in weakening the immune system
We can’t say it often enough: stress is enemy No. 1 to your health.
When you’re stressed, your body produces cortisol, a hormone which, in excess, weakens your immune system.
Thanks to its relaxing effects, massage helps to reduce stress and, as a result, boost your immune system.
For example, a relaxing massage after the festive season, done properly, allows your body to relax completely. This deep relaxation stimulates the production of white blood cells and improves your resistance to external aggression.
You’ll leave the massage table not only more serene, but also better equipped to face the rest of the winter.
Adopt massage as a health ritual
Massage and immunity, there’s no longer any need to prove the link. All that’s left is to choose the right massage method to give yourself a boost!
Don’t forget that your health is your most precious asset. Give it the care it deserves. So follow your heart and let yourself be tempted by a massage to boost your immune system until the end of winter!
At Nandara, we’re dedicated to supporting you in your quest for well-being. Keep up to date by exploring our blog and subscribing to our newsletter!