Stress, environmental contaminants, a sedentary lifestyle, and processed foods are among the reasons for buildup of bodily toxins—poisons that are generally produced by bacteria and are harmful to good health. The body has defenses against toxins, including the kidneys and the liver, as well as the whole circulatory and lymphatic system, but the combination of challenges listed above can overwhelm our defenses. The buildup of toxins can lead to discomforts such as fever, rashes, and joint pain; to diseases from the common cold to cancer and multiple sclerosis; and to psychological problems such as anxiety and depression.
When we think of massage treatment, we may think its primary effect is relaxation. It’s true that is frequently our experience of massage. But the effects go far beyond that. As it stimulates the circulatory and lymphatic systems, massage treatment helps the body flush toxins and trigger a natural healing process.
A Natural Self-Healing
Natural because massage increases circulation and assists a body’s self-cleaning process. The lymphatic system naturally relies on muscle contraction, gravity, and breathing to function properly. During massage, the compression of body tissues helps squeeze blood and lymph through vessels to facilitate chemical detoxification. Long, sweeping strokes, methodical and rhythmic activate superficial veins and push fluids toward the heart.
Then, as circulation increases, oxygenated blood nourishes internal organs more effectively. As blood flow to your organs, tissues, and muscles increases, toxins are squeezed out from between cells and muscle fibers and can be flushed out of the body more easily.
Not Just Another Detox Scheme
It’s hard to go through a day without encountering some new diet or program that claims to help you detoxify in just days. In the old West, snake-oil was that miracle cure. Today, magic-bullet pills, juices and foods are touted as the cure for all your ills. Most are immediately disappointing and for the rest, positive effects don’t last or we can’t make ourselves stick with the program. Massage treatment, on the other hand, because it stimulates the body’s own natural healing process, doesn’t wear out, run out or get tiresome. Minutes in a massage chair every day not only relaxes you and makes you feel good, it helps your body heal without further imposition on your grocery list or your menu.
Not everyone can get to a massage therapist whenever they want so a massage chair is a great option and some can really help with cleansing the lymphatic system. The deeper a chair can dig into your muscles the better it can help. We suggest the Panasonic MAJ7 Massage Chair.
Asale, Eshe. “Massage Therapy & Chemical Detoxification.” LIVESTRONG.COM, Leaf Group, 18 July 2017, www.livestrong.com/article/271614-massage-therapy-chemical-detoxification/.
“The Benefits of a Detox Massage.” Stillpoint Holistic Studio, 11 Apr. 2016, stillpointholisticstudio.com/2016/04/11/the-benefits-of-a-detox-massage/.
