January is often a month dedicated to the detox and relaxation of body and mind. After the Christmas season, where it is common to over indulge in rich food, alcohol and to be a bit less active than usual, many of us feel the need to cleanse the body and massage therapy is a key part of an overall detox plan.
Why is detox so important?
The human body has a natural mechanism of getting rid of toxins and waste but, when a person leads an inactive lifestyle or does not consume enough fluids, toxins tend to accumulate and the body has troubles flushing them out. This could lead to various health issues like fatigue, cold and fever, anxiety, depression, bloating and difficulties in weight management. It is a very good practice, therefore, to start the year with a good detox program which will help cleanse the body and boost the immune system.
The benefits of massage therapy for detoxing:
Deep tissue massage and lymphatic drainage, which we both practice in ours locations, are extremely beneficial for detoxing the body: the pressure and the rhythmic circular movements applied by the therapist cause the toxin build-up in the body tissues to break down, making it easier for the body to naturally eliminate them.
This is because massage stimulates the lymphatic system which, differently to the blood circulation, does not have a pump and can become stagnant, especially when stress and toxins occur. A professional massage targets the flow of lymph in the body, helping the lymph move towards the heart, back into circulation, therefore mobilising toxins for clearance.
Additional ways to improve lymphatic drainage:
In order to maximise the benefits of massage therapy when detoxing, we highly recommend to drink plenty of water after each treatment: this simple action will help flush the toxins out of your body. Staying hydrated and having a healthy diet is very important also between treatments, as a regular habit to cleanse the body. Water and caffeine-free infusions like ginger tea, fennel and rooibos, as well as fruit and vegetables, will ensure the optimum level of hydration for your body.
Some other great ways to encourage lymphatic drainage include exercising regularly, dry brushing, practising yoga, and developing a deep breathing practice as they will prevent the lymph from becoming too stagnant, promoting its flow throughout the body.
We hope you enjoyed this article and, should you have any questions on how massage therapy can help with your detox plan, please do not hesitate to contact us on (305) 342-6475 or drop an email at info@mymassagehaven.com. Our team will be happy to assist and to book your next treatment.
