Denton County Living Well Magazine January/February 2018 | Page 18

Build Bodywork
Into Your Budget
By Brenda Briscoe, LMT
D
id you know that those who receive some kind of
bodywork are some of the healthiest people? It is
no surprise that bodywork helps to regulate blood
and lymphatic circulation. But did you ever consider
that massage, chiropractic, energy work, and other
forms of bodywork also support every system of your body?
How about the immune system? Researchers from Cedars-
Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles stated that in their study
people who received a 45-minute Swedish massage had an
increased number of lymphocytes, which are white blood cells
that play a large role in defending the body from disease.
“This research indicates that massage doesn’t only feel good,
it also may be good for you,” said study researcher, Dr. Mark
Rapaport, chairman of the department of psychiatry and be-
havioral neurosciences at Cedars-Sinai.
The massages also brought about lower levels of cytokines,
molecules that play a role in inflammation. Chronically high
levels of inflammation are known to be associated with asth-
ma, cardiovascular disease and depression, among other
conditions.
Additionally, according to the researchers, hormone levels
were impacted, enhancing the endocrine system. The study
showed the participants had decreased levels of cortisol, a
stress hormone, and vasopressin, a hormone believed to play
a role in aggressive behavior.
Regarding the digestive system, massage releases tension in
the abdominal and intestinal muscles; it relieves constipation,
bloating, gas and cramps; assists with waste elimination; and
stimulates liver and kidney activity, as well as peristalsis in
the colon.
The nervous system is also greatly enhanced with different
kinds of massage and other bodywork. It stimulates the
senses (touch, hear, smell, see, feel); it influences dopa-
mine to control movement and elicit emotional responses,
such as pleasure and pain; reduces pain levels in muscles,
tendons, nerves, and fascia. Headaches often disappear
with bodywork sessions.
A 30-year-old female client once came to my office with a
severe migraine, stating that if I could eliminate it, she had
plans to celebrate her birthday that evening with friends.
She reported it to be at a level of 10 (highest number on
a 10-scale), could not endure bright light or loud sounds,
and was nauseous. She had experienced some degree
of headache pain every day since first grade. After her
Bowen Therapy session, her pain was non-existent and
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DENTON COUNTY Living Well Magazine | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018
she was excited to be able to go out with her friends to
dinner.
In the reproductive system, bodywork promotes general
breast health, assists prostate treatments, reduces men-
strual cramps, promotes relaxation and loosens lower back
muscles.
Massage therapy also activates the urinary system. Fluids
in the muscles are pushed into the lymphatic system, which
is then filtered and excreted via the urinary system. After