The Department of Health continues to tackle the swine flu pandemic by encouraging people to get vaccinated and practice good health habits. But some people are turning to alternative methods to prevent getting the virus.Health officials say the best way to keep from coming down with the flu is to get vaccinated. But there are other ways to boost your immune system and stay healthy using two hands.
For centuries massage therapy has been regarded as a type of healing touch and many are turning to holistic healing to prevent catching the flu.
“Just to kick up your immune system just a bit, just in case you contract something your body can help fight it off,” Windward Community Massage Monty White said.
Two experts have combined their businesses in Kailua to offer a procedure called lymphatic drainage massage.
“Trying to move the lymph fluid towards the auxiliary or the arm pit,” Island Massage Brian Tow said.
“Its just a very light stroke, if someone is pushing on there and it's a little bit sore then they are not doing lymphatic drainage,” Tow said.
Lymphatic drainage is a type of massage aimed at removing toxins in the body and improving circulation and cell regeneration.
“It's a great stress reliever as well,” Tow said.
This type of massage pushes toxins trapped in muscles and the body into the lymph nodes which digest and clean debris.
“The lymphatic system is a key component to the immune system, when that is activated you tend to process any kind of illness much faster,” White said.
At a price tag of a dollar a minute massage is a therapeutic and relaxing alternative to ward off the cold bug and the flu virus.
“Massage is the oldest form of medicine,” White said.
But it’s still very important to maintain standard health practices including washing your hands, covering your mouth when you cough and staying home when you’re sick.
“Anything you can do that will help is not a bad thing, its better to be over prepared then caught short,” White said.
