Adjusting to life with cancer is one of the toughest positions a person can be placed in. Your entire being and energy must be put into consistently enduring emotional and physical pain and this can really take a toll on your body. The good news is there may be a simple method out there that can help you take on cancer and the recovery process a little more head-on. This method is massage therapy.
Stress Reduction
Massage is therapeutic. Why? Your body produces a hormone secreted by the adrenal glands called cortisol, also known as the “stress hormone.” It is has been tagged as the stress hormone because its levels become heightened during times of high stress. Studies have shown that massage therapy can drastically reduce the level of cortisol in your body. When these levels are more regulated, you are less likely to experience intense levels of stress. This is a stressful time for you and your body; you deserve to give massage a shot.
Circulation
When you incorporate a massage therapy regimen into your lifestyle, you open the door to another health benefit: improved circulation. Good circulation is essential to your overall health and goes hand-in-hand with improved overall body function and decreased blood pressure (one of the biggest health concerns in the country). Not only that, better circulation also allows individuals to respond faster to treatments, chemotherapy and medication. This translates to faster recovery time.
Pain Reduction
Many people turn to massage therapists in an effort to reduce pain. And there’s a good reason for this. During massage, there is a release of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that supplies your body with a natural source of anti-pain chemicals. The best part is, it’s a holistic option, meaning no pain medications on top of what you may already be taking.
Sleep
Because of the stress reduction associated with a regular massage regimen, you can imagine the wonders this can do for your sleep. Healthy amounts of sleep are crucial to living as a high-functioning, healthful individual. This seemingly simple thing really impacts all health factors in one way or another.
Immune System
Massage therapy can also make an impact on your immune system. According to a recent study performed by researchers of Los Angeles’ Cedar- Sinai Medical Center, people who received a 45-minute long massage were observed to have had an increase in their body’s number of lymphocytes, or white blood cells. These particular cells play a large role in defending the human body against infection and disease. This can help protect you from possible further illness down the road.
I hope you will consider incorporating a massage therapy program into your life to help deal with your cancerous symptoms. With all the associated health benefits, it’s truly a great option to aid yourself in recovering and also to protect you in the future.
Bailey Martin blogs for Strauman Holistic Chiropractic, one of the premier Minneapolis chiropractors, physiotherapists and holistic care providers.