A massage brush looks similar to a soft bristled hair brush, but is designed to massage your skin. Dry brushing feels wonderful, only takes a couple of minutes and may help you stay healthy. Purchase a massage brush online or at a natural health store.
How Dry Skin Brushing Helps Keep you Healthy
Dry skin brushing improves circulation in your lymphatic system, which plays an important role in immunity. The lymphatic system helps recognize and remove bacteria, abnormal cells and other materials. Lymph nodes, or masses of lymph tissue which filter fluid, are found in the armpits, groin, neck, under the jaw, behind the ears and on the back of the head. A dry brush massage encourages circulation of fluid through the lymph system, which can improve its functioning.
Dry brushing is recommended to improve edema, a symptom involving swelling and fluid retention most commonly found in the feet, ankles and legs. Different underlying conditions such as pregnancy, blocked lymph channels, allergies or high blood pressure can cause edema. Consult a physician before beginning a dry brushing routine if you have any medical concerns.
Even if you are perfectly healthy, dry brushing feels good and may prevent illness.
What You Should Know Before Beginning the Massage
Lymph only flows toward your heart, so make sure that the strokes of the brush on your skin also lead in the direction of your heart. Start at the end of each limb (hand or foot) and work inward toward your torso.
Begin with a very gentle pressure and increase as desired without causing discomfort. Use slow and careful strokes. Avoid any sores or irritated skin areas. Ask your physician for advice if you have any medical concerns or skin conditions.
Steps to Carry Out a Dry Brushing Massage
Try your dry brush massage immediately before taking a shower. Your skin should be dry before the massage.
- Begin with the left foot. Apply the massage brush in a gentle circle on the top of the left foot. Work your way up the left leg, stroking from the foot toward the knee. Apply vertical strokes on the shins, calves and sides of the lower legs. Stroke through the back of the knee and up through the thigh, also covering the front, sides and back of the upper leg. Very gently stroke up through the inner crease of the upper leg. Repeat on the right side, stroking from the foot up toward the torso.
- Use the massage brush to gently stroke up from the hip region through the abs and lower back, always using vertical strokes toward the heart. Also cover the sides of the hip region and lower torso.
- Make a light circle with the massage brush on the back of the left hand. Stroke along the length of the arm and through the inside of the elbow. Stroke from the further part of the arm toward the torso on all sides. You may wish to finish off the under arm area with a wet towel once you are in the shower. Repeat with the right hand and arm.
Cleaning
Clean your massage brush regularly to avoid build up of dirt and odor. Bring the the massage brush into the shower with you and apply a small amount of mild soap. Lather the bristles then rinse thoroughly and lay out to dry. Wait until the massage brush has dried before using again.
Resources
UMM.edu. "Circulation of Lymph" (accessed January 1, 2010).
UMM.edu. "Edema" (accessed January 1, 2010).
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