According to the American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association, there are more than 100 autoimmune diseases. More than 50 million Americans are diagnosed with one or more of them and about 75% of those diagnosed are women. But what is the definition of autoimmune disease and can massage therapy really help?
Ordinarily, the immune system defends the body against an outside infection. However, in someone with an autoimmune disease, the immune system mistakes the body’s own cells, tissues, or organs as foreign and attacks them as such. And while each of these 100 diseases impacts people differently, the one thing they share is inflammation. Essentially, they are all inflammatory diseases and while there might not be a cure, massage therapy can be incredibly helpful in keeping the inflammation in check.
Some of these autoimmune disorders can cause a great deal of musculoskeletal pain and many people look to massage for help, and rightly so. Massage can help people reconnect with the body by addressing the pain and stress that can come with many of these autoimmune disorders.
Massage therapy can also help people deal with the depression that can come from dealing with these autoimmune disorders. Massage can also improve sleep which might be impacted in those suffering from autoimmune issues as well.
If you suffer from an autoimmune disorder, talk to your massage therapist about your symptoms and how various massage techniques might be helpful. Your therapist will conduct a health history to fully understand your symptoms so be honest and work out a treatment plan together. Make an appointment and find relief today!
