
Erin Alefounder
Jun 1, 2024
Part 2: On Pain and Immunity
Realizing the benefits of massage on the immune system partly relies on a general understanding of the components and function of the system itself. Otherwise, it's nothing more than a buzzword that holds little meaning. What is the immune system comprised of and what does it all do?
The immune system as a whole consists of cellular products that serve to fight bacteria, viruses, and cancerous cells. The long bones of the body such as the femur and humerus produce red bone marrow and yellow bone marrow. Combined they produce red blood cells and white blood cells that ultimately serve to attach to invaders such as bacteria or viruses and break it down. Some of these cells (T-cells) are produced in these long bones but mature in the thymus and the populate the lymph nodes and spleen. These T-cells are also critical in fighting invaders. The lymphatic system is interwoven with the cardiovascular system in the sense that everywhere there are blood capilliaries (where the oxygen exchange occurs to return non-oxygenated blood back to the heart) there are lymph capilliaries. The lymphatic fluid is clear and travels throughout the system from node to node accumulating white blood cells and helps the body fend off infections and the spread of tumours. It travels, unlike blood, via peristalsis -primarily from contractions of skeletal and smooth muscle. In addition to the important bacteria and virus fighting cells that are carried in lymph, it also serves to absorb excess fat from the intestines. All in all the immune system is arguably critical to survival. So how does massage boost the immune system?
Massage helps increase the number and the optimal functioning of white blood cells, particularly lymphocytes.
Massage helps promote lymphatic circulation by stimulating movement.
Manual lymphatic drainage can help drain stagnant lymph nodes and push new beneficial lymph fluid in.
Massage cleanses the body's tissues (skin, fascia which surrounds muscle fibers and muscles) of metabolic waste that naturally builds up, and pushes oxygen into that tissue.
It is so important that tissues receive oxygen and that the lymphatic system is working optimally to kill bacteria, viruses and cancerous cells.