greg's blog

An occasional offering of thoughts, revelations and insights into bodywork, energy, health, nutrition and other good things!

January 20, 2017

How Massage Detoxes and Purifies You

1.  Gravity

A lot of natural forces are acting on your body 24/7.  Like Physics -- specifically gravity.  Gravity pulls on your body at every level, internally and externally, not just the parts you can see (like sagging skin, drooping eyelids or a double chin).  Gravity is a constant force that causes body fluids (lymph and blood) to pool in the lower extremities and elsewhere within your tissues.  This constant force also traps toxins that need to be expelled from the body.

Massage is like an anti-gravity treatment.  By gently squeezing the tissues and getting tight areas to relax, massage promotes healthy circulation of pooled and stagnant fluids, allowing the body to naturally remove toxins that have been sequestered.  Exercise (walking, running, biking, swimming, paddling, tennis, basketball, etc.) also help the body circulate trapped fluids so that the toxins they contain can be eliminated.

This is one of the reasons why exercise is so important...and drinking water!  Think of massage as a kind of "oil change" for your body.  And make sure to drink LOTS of water before and after any massage session, or exercise of any kind.