Those with allergies view spring with a love-hate relationship.

The weather is warmer and the days are longer, sure. But, as everything begins to bloom and grow, those with seasonal allergies battle against itchy eyes, nasal congestion, sinus pain and even fatigue.
If you have allergies, you know you’re always on the lookout for remedies to the symptoms. Would you be surprised to hear that incorporating regular massage therapy into your wellness routine can help?
How Massage Therapy Benefits those with Allergies
Adding massage therapy into your life won’t stop the allergic reaction from happening, you’ve got us there. However, it can help modify and dissipate the symptoms. The health benefits that are normally associated with massage therapy such as stress relief, enhanced circulation, and improved immunity are all beneficial to your tolerance of allergy symptoms.

There have been studies done that demonstrate increased levels of stress can worsen allergy symptoms. In 2014, Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology reported that 64 percent of the participants with higher stress levels had more than four flare-ups over two 14-day periods. Hospitalizations from fatal allergic reactions have also been shown to correlate with high-stress triggers.
Stress has been known to cause all kinds of negative effects on the body, and worsening your allergy symptoms is no different. Regular massage therapy can reduce stress, minimizing your reaction to allergens, making you more comfortable during the spring and summer months.
In addition, massage has also been known to boost the immune system by increasing the activity of the body’s white blood cells that combat viruses.
“According to research from Cedars-Sinai, participants in a Swedish massage group experienced significant changes in lymphocytes, which play a large role in defending the body from disease. A lymphocyte is one of the three subtypes of white blood cells in the immune system.”

Massage therapy also relaxes the muscles in the body, improving circulation and giving you relief to any sore muscles from coughing, sneezing, or other allergy-related pain. Specifically, those who are looking for a drug-free way to dissipate those nasty allergy symptoms see many benefits from massage.
The Problem with Western Medicine
The Western treatment of allergies relies mostly on the use of antihistamines. However, antihistamines only treat the manifestations of the disease– not the root cause.
In addition, some allergy medications can cause side effects such as fatigue, dizziness, insomnia, nervousness and gastro-intestinal disturbance. Stronger antihistamines also contain decongestants, which can create sleepiness and a cloudy head, sometimes causing an inability to drive.
It is important to note that everyone’s severity to seasonal allergies is different, so massage therapy may not eliminate your need for Western medicine. But, with massage therapy, you can reduce the amount of allergy medication you need, or even stop taking it all together, so it’s definitely worth incorporating into your routine!
Schedule an Appointment with Chante Massage Today
Don’t let allergies stop you from enjoying nice days outside. Fight against allergies and improve your overall wellness by scheduling a massage with a licensed massage therapist. We are conveniently located in the middle of Omaha and offer specialized massage sessions catered to your needs.