A Good Therapeutic Massage Can Boost the Immune System and Prevent Colds

I have a friend who has a very rich and famous uncle. I'll give you a hint: His uncle played for the Championship Chicago Bulls back in the 90's. This basketball superstar has a yacht near Miami in Florida. The yacht has a helicopter pad on the top. It's very convenient when you want to do a little island hopping. When he goes sailing on said yacht he takes along a chef, a personal trainer, and most importantly, a masseuse.

Ah to be rich and have your own personal masseuse to give each day a happy ending. I once had a massage from someone who was very well versed in where all of the acupressure points were on the body. By the time I was finished, I felt like a wet noodle. But there's one benefit from getting a massage that you may not have thought of.

A good massage can prevent you from getting a cold by strengthening your immune system. According to Men's Health Magazine:

"Turns out, massages not only feel great, they might be good for your health, too. According to a study published in "The Journal of Complimentary and Alternative Medicine,"

The researchers studied two different groups. The first group had been given a light touch over different areas of their bodies while the other group received a Swedish deep tissue massage using established therapeutic massage techniques. The second group had a significant rise in the lymphocyte levels in their bloodstream and a significant drop in the levels of stress hormones. Even a simple hand massage works to a certain extent.

A full 45-minute total body massage yielded the best immune system response, but a simple 5-minute back, foot, or hand massage made a difference as well. And I would recommend that if you can find a therapist that is also versed in acupressure as well, it will be well worth any extra cost that you may incur.

The Chinese believe in an energy force called Chi that runs throughout the body and affects every organ and system. So if you have a specific health problem, the therapist can devote more attention to that area.

There are a couple of organizations that can refer you to a good certified massage therapist in your area. One is the Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and the other is called The American Massage Therapy Association. Both have websites online.

So, what if you can't afford to visit a massage therapist regularly? Your significant other can do the massage for you. Skip that pizza night and have a massage night instead. You can even get some of the benefit if you give yourself a regular hand or foot massage.

Source: http://news.menshealth.com/feels-great-and-prevents-colds/2011/10/06/