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There are so many benefits to massage therapy that it’s a wonder that there are still so many skeptics out there. Today’s post is on the amazing benefits of massage for your immune system. Your immune system is improved after just one massage! This claim is backed up by a study done by researchers from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. There’s no reason not to indulge in relaxing and healing massage therapy treatments. 

Like we just mentioned, researchers from the Cedars-Sinai medical center conducted tests that focused on the immunity benefits of massage therapy. The researchers, led by Dr. Mark Rapaport, studied 29 healthy adults who received a 45-minute Swedish massage and 24 healthy adults who had a 45-minute session of light touch massage, a much milder exercise that served as a comparison to the more vigorous Swedish massage. Blood samples were taken before the massage began and at regular intervals up to one hour after the massage was completed. The study found several changes in the blood tests of the Swedish massage group that indicated a benefit to the immune system. For example, Swedish massage caused sizeable decreases in arginine vasopressin, a hormone that contributes to aggressive behavior, and small decreases in the stress hormone cortisol. The Swedish massage participants also had an increase in lymphocytes, cells that help the immune system defend the body from harmful substances.

“This research indicates that massage doesn’t only feel good, it also may be good for you,” Rapaport explained. “People often seek out massage as part of a healthy lifestyle but there hasn’t been much physiological proof of the body’s heightened immune response following massage until now.” This study was later published in the Journal of Alternative and Complimentary Medicine.

Much like exercise keeps your muscles strong, massage therapy treatments keep your immune system healthy and performing at its best. So do something good for your body today and schedule an appointment for massage therapy!

Here at Structura Body Therapies we are concerned with the overall performance of the body and understand the importance of all areas of health and massage therapy. We treat patients with all types of needs from automobile accident related injuries to sports performance work.

Please contact us today for any information needed related to massage or structural integration. 801-897-8711

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