Easing Cold & Flu Symptoms: The Surprising Role of Lymphatic Drainage Massage
Hi, Anchorage. The holidays are upon us!
Celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, the Winter Solstice, or the New Year is a time of togetherness and joy.
So much magic. Time-honored traditions. Trips to see family. Trips to Hawaii.
Presents…
Laughter...
Love…
Childlike wonder…
Cold and flu season.
Hold the phone. Cold and flu season? How’d that get in there?
Yes, indeed. With all the gatherings, air travel, time spent indoors, and running around trying to make it all come together… it’s not only our joy that peaks this time of year.
In Alaska, cold and flu season usually peaks between December and February, following the same patterns as the rest of the Northern Hemisphere.
And as you well know, being sick is no celebration. The sniffles, aches and pains, congestion, headache, exhaustion, and utter desperation to just.. start… feeling... better.
That’s where lymphatic drainage massage from Anchorage Massage Therapies comes in.
A lymphatic drainage massage at our Anchorage massage clinic is a remedy that not only helps prevent cold and flu from getting you in the first place — but also aids in recovering from symptoms faster — so you can return to your whole, healthy self again.
In today’s blog, we’ll explore how lymphatic drainage massage can ease your cold and flu symptoms and how to integrate it into your wellness or recovery plan.
Let’s dive in.
Image courtesy of SGUL lymres @ Creative Commons
Understanding the lymphatic system
The lymphatic system is a crucial part of the immune and circulatory systems of the body.
Its main functions include:
Maintaining fluid levels in our bodies
Absorbing digestive tract fats
Protecting our bodies from infection
It comprises a network of vessels, lymph nodes, and organs that work together to move lymph through your body.
Lymph is a clear fluid that carries white blood cells to areas that need protection and waste products away from areas that need detoxification. Lymph also moves water, proteins, and fats throughout your body, distributing them in a way that helps boost your health.
A well-functioning lymphatic system can help you thrive during stressful traveling and boost your immunity to help ward off infections like colds and flu.
Anchorage lymphatic drainage massage: An overview
A lymphatic drainage massage moves the lymph fluid through your body to help your immune system perform at its best.
Your Anchorage massage therapist performs slow, rhythmic strokes to encourage the movement of lymphatic flow, usually starting with your back and neck and then working down to your legs and feet.
Your massage therapist also gently massages your stomach, upper chest, arms, face, and head, gently moving the lymph throughout your body.
Lymphatic drainage massage differs from other types of massage because the goal is to encourage lymphatic flow rather than working to relieve muscle tension or pain.
Our massage therapists at Anchorage Massage Therapies have perfected this technique, and some of our clients call it the best massage in Anchorage because it also helps calm the nervous system and fosters a sense of deep relaxation.
Plus, it energizes your body because your immune system functions optimally.
How lymphatic drainage helps during our cold and flu season
A lymphatic drainage massage is especially effective during cold and flu season because it enhances your immune system function, allowing you to fight off any potential viruses or bacteria that could cause an illness, shortening an illness if you do get sick, and helping to ease frustrating symptoms that often come with cold and flu.
Preventing Illness
In a perfect world, lymphatic drainage massage helps prevent you from getting sick in the first place.
Let’s look at how the flow of lymph works to protect you. It’s pretty fascinating! Lymph contains lymphocytes, which are white blood cells crucial in fighting infection.
Here’s how the lymphocytes spring into action when they sense a threat to your immune system.
When the lymphatic system detects a threat to your immune system, it works overtime to transport these lymphocytes to the affected area.
Once the lymphocytes reach the area, they recognize and bind to pathogens and mark them for destruction by releasing antibodies. Pretty cool, huh?
The lymphocytes also become memory cells and teach your immune system how to fight off the threat if you reencounter the same illness. Wow!
Good lymphatic flow can trigger all these processes without you ever getting sick, making lymphatic drainage massage an excellent treatment for illness prevention.
A lymphatic drainage massage also boosts your circulatory system and improves blood circulation.
This transports immune cells throughout the body, leading to a more effective immune system.
Shortening Length of Illness
We’ve all had that cold that sticks around longer than we’d like. But a lymphatic drainage massage also works to shorten the length of your illness if you get sick.
Lymph fluid transports lymphocytes to fight illness and removes waste and toxins from your body, like dead cells and pathogens.
The lymph transports these waste products through your body, where your kidneys filter them so they can exit your body during urination.
Ensuring these pathogens don’t stick around longer than they need to helps reduce the length of your illness.
Reducing congestion and inflammation
Cold and flu often come with swelling and congestion, especially in the head and neck.
Lymphatic drainage massage from Anchorage Massage Therapies can help reduce this congestion by facilitating the removal of excess fluid and waste products from your tissues, which makes you feel better.
Mae Murakami, a physical therapist at Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles, says lymphatic drainage “can be a powerful tool for people whose lymphatic system is compromised from surgery, illness or injury.”
She adds, “ “It’s also important to note that lymphatic drainage techniques are not recommended for people with a heart condition, kidney problems, or cellulitis.”
Practical tips for lymphatic drainage massage
If you’re wondering whether or not lymphatic drainage is appropriate for you, ask your medical doctor.
You can also get a referral from an MD for lymphatic drainage massage, which allows us to bill your insurance for your appointment. Your treatment may be covered!
Some of our Anchorage massage clients get a lymphatic drainage massage every two weeks to help fight off recurring sinus infections.
Others often book a lymphatic drainage massage appointment before or after a flight to avoid getting sick after air travel.
Anchorage Massage Therapies requests that you do not book an appointment during the first 48 hours of your illness.
Additionally, some studies show that lymphatic drainage massage may decrease the effectiveness of antibiotics. If you’re prescribed an antibiotic to treat your illness, ask your doctor before booking a lymphatic drainage massage to ensure it won’t interfere with your treatment plan.
Otherwise, we empower our clients to make health decisions about whether they are well enough to leave the house.
If you have any questions before your appointment, email us. We’re always here to help.
Integrating lymphatic drainage as a holistic approach
Integrating lymphatic drainage massage into a holistic health practice, especially during the cold and flu season, offers a robust approach to wellness, especially for Alaska residents.
Other holistic remedies to ensure your immune system is performing at its best include:
Getting enough Vitamin D: Vitamin D comes from sunlight, largely absent this time of year (to say the least!) Adding vitamin D supplements to your wellness plan can increase your immune system function.
Exercise: Exercise is another critical factor in keeping your immune system in tip-top shape. Regular, moderate exercise promotes the regeneration of immune cells, aids in preventing bacterial growth, and offers improved circulation and stress reduction.
Stress relief: Taking care of your mental health this time of year is also essential. Too much stress can decrease your immunity, making you prone to getting sick. Lymphatic drainage massage helps to activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which can help relieve stress.
Emphasizing the interconnectedness of body systems during the cold and flu season provides a comprehensive strategy for health, balancing both your body and mind for ultimate well-being.
We’ve got you covered
Now you know all how a lymphatic drainage massage from Anchorage Massage Therapies can help make cold and flu season a thing of the past.
From preventing illness in the first place to reducing the duration during which you are sick to relieving uncomfortable swelling and congestion, lymphatic drainage massage is a beneficial treatment to keep your immune system functioning at its best.
Now, get out there and have a wonderful holiday season, and schedule an appointment after your travels to secure a relaxing holiday reset with one of our lymphatic drainage massage therapists.
We’ve got you, Anchorage.
Happy Holidays from Anchorage Massage Therapies. ✨🎄🤶🏼
