How Massage Therapy Can Benefit Those with Autoimmune Disease

How Massage Therapy Can Benefit Those with Autoimmune Disease

One in five Americans, or 20% of the population, are affected by autoimmune illnesses. Autoimmune diseases refer to a malfunction in the immune system that causes it to attack healthy cells in the body by mistake. Autoimmune diseases can affect any part of the body, including the brain, heart, lungs, skin, and joints. Additionally, women are more prone to autoimmune illnesses than men are.

Let's talk about some of the autoimmune diseases.

Hashimoto’s Disease

Hashimoto's thyroiditis may cause your thyroid to underproduce thyroid hormone. It happens when your body produces antibodies that target the thyroid cells. Nearly every organ in your body is impacted by thyroid hormones because they regulate how your body uses energy, including the rate at which your heart beats. Possible symptoms include weariness, weight gain, muscle weakness, a goiter, and an enlarged thyroid gland.
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Lupus

When your body's immune system attacks its own tissues and organs, it develops the disease lupus. Lupus-related inflammation can impact a variety of bodily functions, including your joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, brain, heart, and lungs.
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Reynaud’s syndrome

In response to cold temperatures or stress, Raynaud's disease makes specific parts of your body, such as your fingers and toes, feel numb and chilly. Smaller arteries that carry blood to your skin narrow as a result of Raynaud's illness, restricting blood flow to the affected areas.
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Image source: <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raynaud_syndrome#/media/File:Raynauld.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Wikipedia</a>
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Image Source: <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scleroderma#/media/File:Left_Arm_Scleroderma_Patient.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Wikipedia>Wikipedia</a>
Image Source: Wikipedia>Wikipedia

Scleroderma

Scleroderma is a rare disorder that causes blood vessel and internal organ issues as well as regions of skin that are hard and thickened. Scleroderma is brought on by the immune system attacking the connective tissue that surrounds internal organs, blood vessels, and the skin's foundation.
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Grave’s Disease

Graves' disease causes an excess of thyroid hormones to be produced. Although many conditions can lead to hyperthyroidism, Graves' disease is frequently to blame. Given that thyroid hormones have an effect on so many various physiological systems, Graves' disease symptoms can vary greatly from person to person.
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Image source: <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graves%27_disease#/media/File:Proptosis_and_lid_retraction_from_Graves'_Disease.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Wikipedia</a>
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Type 1 Diabetes

When you have type 1 diabetes, your immune system destroys the insulin-producing cells in your pancreas. Beta cells are what these are. The condition was previously known as juvenile diabetes since it is often discovered in adolescents and young adults.
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Among the known autoimmune disorders include Hashimoto's disease, lupus, Reynaud's syndrome, scleroderma, Grave's disease, and type 1 diabetes, but over 80 other forms have been found.

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to managing autoimmune diseases, as each person experiences different symptoms and severity levels. Some people with autoimmune diseases may need medication to manage their symptoms, while others may only require lifestyle changes.

There is no cure for autoimmune diseases, but there are treatments that can help manage the symptoms and improve the quality of life for patients. One such treatment is massage therapy. Massage Therapy can be utilized to bring relief to patients with autoimmune diseases and aid in the effectiveness of medications. Many autoimmune patients suffer from chronic pain and inflammation. Massage therapy can decrease pain, anxiety, depression, and stress!

Massage therapy has been shown to be beneficial for autoimmune diseases in several ways. First, massage can help reduce stress, a significant trigger for autoimmune flare-ups. Massage also helps to increase circulation and reduce inflammation, two other important factors in managing autoimmune symptoms. There is evidence that massage can be beneficial for people with autoimmune diseases.

One study found that massage therapy was associated with reduced levels of the stress hormone cortisol in women with autoimmune diseases. Another study found that massage therapy improved quality of life and symptoms in people with autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus erythematosus, and multiple sclerosis.

If you or someone you know suffers from an autoimmune disease, consider making massage a part of your treatment plan. Massage can help reduce stress, improve circulation, and may even help to reduce inflammation.

Have you not been diagnosed with an autoimmune disease/condition but endured any of the following concerns?
Fatigue
General sense of not feeling well
Bloated
Feeling sluggish
Sleeping issues
Edema

If you are suffering from any of the symptoms listed above, our massage treatments will also assist you in your journey of overall health and wellness. We encourage you to contact us today to schedule a consultation and find out how we can help improve your quality of life.