One of the many health benefits you receive through massage is the elimination of toxins. A toxin is defined as any substance that causes harmful effects to our body. Normally, the immune system, liver and kidneys work together to remove toxins at the same rate as they are encountered. When toxin levels are in excess of our body’s capacity to remove them, they build up and are stored until they are removed. We can have toxins stored in our bodies for years without experiencing any negative symptoms, but once the burden of toxins becomes too high, we start to feel ill. We tend to think about toxins coming from environmental sources such as exhaust fumes, solvents and inhalants, but it is important to consider the other numerous, less apparent toxin-producing sources we are exposed to on a daily basis. These include toxins from our lifestyle, toxins created within our bodies (internal toxins) and toxins created from our emotions.

During a massage toxins are elimination through the movement of blood and lymph. Although the blood flow to the muscles slows during a massage, while the therapist is working on a specific muscle, blood flow is increased in the area of contact, and ultimately circulation does increase in the body after a massage. When blood circulation increases, it increases the oxygen to the cells and thus increases elimination of toxins. If you already get massages, have you ever noticed that during your massage your nose gets stuffy? This may seem to be because your head is face down in the face cradle, but it’s more than that. The congestion you feel is due to the toxins building up and looking for a way to get out of the body. That is why it is very important to drink a lot of water after a massage to flush out the built up toxins, especially if you receive a deep tissue massage.