Using Physical Therapy to Boost Your Immune System
With the pandemic in full swing, everyone is looking for more ways to get healthy and stay fit. Along with following the hygiene protocols set forth by the World Health Organization and the Public Health Agency of Canada, there are other ways to boost your health. Living clean and eating properly can help fight off not only the Coronavirus but also seasonal illnesses as well.
The cooler seasons are coming and as such, the body starts its own transition naturally. Your energy levels drop and your digestion slows down. Along with these changes, people are more prone to airborne illnesses and infections. Giving your immune system a boost during this season is the best way to prevent serious illnesses such as the flu or colds in the winter. Of course, COVID-19 is expected to make its rounds as well, so getting healthy will give you a better chance at avoiding or beating the virus. Holistic methods of immunity-boosting are also effective. Acupuncture, massage, physiotherapy, chiropractic, manual osteopathy, and other physical therapy treatments can help boost immunity and banish illness.
How Physical Therapy Helps Your Immune System
Your body has natural killers built-in. These virus killers are your Lymphocytes or white blood cells. Getting sick causes your body to produce Cortisol which lowers your white blood cell count. When you have fewer white blood cells, your immune system is less prepared to deal with infections or diseases. Physical therapy helps to increase your white blood cell production in addition to reducing the production of cortisol. The result is an immune system that is ready to do battle with harmful invaders.
Removing Toxins & Boosting Circulation
Your lymphatic system is tasked with transporting your white blood cells all over your body. This same network of organs and tissue is tasked with getting rid of waste and toxins from your body. These are all passed out of your body via lymph fluid. Every time your muscles contract you are pushing this fluid around. Getting physical therapy can help facilitate better contractions. By releasing congestion in these areas through massage or pulling helps to improve circulation and boost your immune system.
Better Health Through Better Sleep
Sleep is critical to good health. In order to maintain a strong immune system, you must get plenty of sleep. Make a point of sleeping at least 8 hours each night, and if you have trouble, physical therapy can help. Physical therapy can reduce stress and tension to allow you to get the sleep you need to fight off many common ailments, including COVID-19. Therapy will help activate your parasympathetic nervous system. When your body is in the digest and rest stage, you will have more melatonin and less cortisol production.
When to Avoid Physical Therapy
Physical therapy is a great way to boost your immune system prior to an illness, but if you are already sick, you should reschedule. Not only will physical therapy make you feel worse, but you may also pass on your illness to those around you. When you are on the mend, you can come back in for a session to help boost your immune system and restore your health. For more information about physical therapy or to set up an appointment, give Ultimate Health Clinic a call at (905) 251-0162 today.
