CHARLOTTE – Last I week I was knocked down with what I self-diagnosed as a cold. Then it turned into bronchitis. A week later and I’m finally on the mend. As we get older, colds and virus’ seem to take our bodies longer to dispel.

Where does massage fit into to your immune system journey? A study was done at the University of Granada in 2013 that explored the ways massage techniques aid in the immune system’s response.  They used two common techniques, the suboccipital muscle release and the compression of CV4 on the vertebrae to see if they have any effect on the immune response.

These techniques are performed in the craniocervical region and thought to affect the autonomic nervous system (which has been shown in previous studies to change immunological function). This study was supposed to determine whether these two massage techniques had any effect on some common immune markers and the natural killer blood cells in young healthy adult males.

The results of the study did show that there was some immediate immune response, but more information was needed. So that begs the question again, does massage affect the immune system? A lot of our proof is not yet measured with studies but with results within our practice. With that being said, massage is known to have a positive effect on pain and has been shown to reduce a client’s stress levels and anxiety levels. If those can be reduced, then the thought is your immunity will be boosted.

-Lisa Lane (#13098) is a licensed massage and bodywork therapist in Mint Hill. Google Massage Sanctuary in Mint Hill to visit her website and book and appointment.