Massage therapy has gained attention in the medical community as research shows that it can have a beneficial effect on patients suffering from a range of diseases and ailments, such as cancer or depression.
Many people have experienced the benefits of a relaxation massage or deep tissue massage. Your licensed massage therapist will typically focus on neck pain, shoulder pain, back pain, overall tension or stress.
But, when was the last time your massage therapist worked on your abdominal area? While this sounds odd, there are ways that massage therapy can help with other body processing systems such as improving digestive health.
Our digestive system can be easily and negatively impacted by factors such as stress or poor diet choices. The discomfort that accompanies a slow moving digestive system can begin to sound the alarm for help.
No one enjoys that heavy, bloated feeling you get when things aren’t headed in the right direction fast enough. But do massage therapy and gut health really go together?
Not all massage techniques are the same or have the same purpose. Lymphatic massage is always done in a gentle precise manner but is still strong enough to stretch the skin gently in the desired drainage direction.
However, because lymph nodes are so small – around 1mm in diameter – this technique must be done without compressing the lymphatic vessels.
Lymphatic massage therapy can help reduce inflammation throughout your body and increase your body’s efficiency in the overall healing process.
You have hundreds of lymph nodes throughout your entire body. The lymph nodes offer a means to push the lymphatic fluid through the lymph vessels, filtering out toxins and other waste material. Lymphatic massage can offer support to the lower digestive system and help get things back on track.
While imperative to circulation, the lymphatic system is not usually a hot topic for discussion, but twice as much lymph fluid exists in the body as blood. Does that mean the lymphatic system is twice as important? Who’s to say?
The lymphatic network of tissues and organs have a very important job: to rid the body of toxins, waste, and other unwanted materials.
There are a few tell-tale signs that you should get a lymphatic massage such as fluid retention, feeling bloated, symptoms of poor digestion and getting sick frequently. Abdominal lymphatic massage therapy can be a beneficial modality to bolster and improve your wellness routine.
To keep and maintain a fluid lymphatic system, here are a few general tips.
- Continue with a professional lymphatic massage once a month or more depending on fluidity.
- Drink plenty of water. Begin with a gallon a day and create a goal of gradually increasing this amount over time.
- Incorporate green foods into your diet, preferably organic. The goal here is to decrease the amount of processed foods you ingest, making your digestive AND lymphatic system happier.
Lymphatic massage is a great way to address digestive issues. If you suffer from chronic digestive issues, we recommend consulting with one of our Functional Medicine providers first, then schedule an appointment with our specially trained Lymphatic Massage specialist.
Combining the Functional Medicine Approach to healing with the effectiveness of lymphatic massage, you’ll be able to discuss and address your health issues with a team you can trust.
The following massage services are now available at Kare Health and Wellness:
- Relaxation Massage
- Deep Tissue Massage
- Healing Massage
- Lymphatic Drainage Massage
- Oncology Massage
Call to schedule or Book your appointment online.
