May is detox month, and while this word has become quite the craze and fad, there are many ways of detoxing improperly that can actually lead to further imbalances in the body. We are surrounded by toxins on a daily basis, today more so than ever. Many additives are proven endocrine disruptors, carcinogens, and skin and lung irritants. You can find these in your hair care products, lotions and body oils, makeup, soap, toothpaste and oral care products, all household products, including dish soap, laundry detergent, and cleaning supplies, clothing and bedding, dry cleaning, furniture, and paint. Based on genetics, some are less susceptible to the effects of an accumulation of toxic buildup, while others are greatly affected even in small quantities. So what do we do? Start by opting for more green friendly products and looking up the ingredients at the Environmental Working Group to be sure your daily care products are safe. Another good PRE-Tox protocol is focussing on what you are putting into your system. Eliminate, as best as possible, overly processed or packaged products, sugars and alcohol and fill your stomach with organic fruits and vegetables, nuts, seeds, organic grass-fed meats, wild caught fish and lots of purified water. Loading up with these fiber rich foods will help promote bowel movements and elimination to aid in the natural detoxification process.
Now for the DETOX! Moving your body on a daily basis is the best thing you can do for health detoxification. Exercise helps increase circulation, moves lymphatic fluid, promotes perspiration, increases breath rate, jumpstarts the kidneys, improves digestion and bowel movements, and decreases stress and anxiety. There are so many ways to exercise between walking, biking, yoga, etc. My top two for detoxification are: the rebounder/mini trampoline, and a vibration platform. The rebounder stimulates lymphatic circulation throughout the body via small bounces. Recent research has shown immense benefits on daily rebounding to promote health and recovery in cancer patients. On the other hand, the vibration platform sends vibrational waves throughout the entire body in a multitude of planes and directions stimulating changes on a cellular level. Zones and frequencies vary based on your desired goal, with best results for detoxification and lymphatic circulation achieved at a low intensity. Simply standing or sitting on this plate with progression to adding very small movements creates immense changes throughout the body in just 1-5 minutes. It is completely normal to feel itching or burning in the skin during or after use. This indicates that your body is releasing toxins and breaking down fascial connective tissue that holds everything in our body. This includes toxic build up, including....toxic emotions! It is recommended to drink plenty of water and avoid toxic foods after use. There have been years of toxic build up in your body that will unlikely go away overnight. But stick with it and you will see and feel the results! Platforms are now available for home purchase online, or book a session with me for a guided lesson to ensure safety in performance.
My second favorite way to detox is an infrared sauna. Instead of heating the air around you, an infrared sauna heats your body directly by using infrared heaters and light. This means infrared saunas can heat the body more efficiently than traditional saunas, which rely on heating the air. The heat from an infrared sauna is soaked up by the skin, which raises body temperature deep inside the core and promotes a deeper level of detox than ordinary saunas can provide. This deeper level of detoxification helps rid the body of excess toxins ranging from heavy metals, chemicals, radioactive particles. It can also help relieve symptoms of common illnesses, prevent future illness, and increase overall health and vitality.
For detoxification you’ll want to choose a sauna that is capable of full-spectrum infrared light, which includes near, mid, and far infrared technology. Starting with just 15 minute sessions and working your way up to 30 minutes is perfect. Minimal additional benefits beyond 30 minutes have been shown in the research. The goal is to sweat, but you may even notice increased heart rate, increased mental clarity, and full body relaxation responses.
Come celebrate detox month with me at Perspire Sauna Studio Providence Park location from 5-7pm on Wednesday, May 25, 2022 where I will be providing vibration massage and hands on myofascial release techniques to further aid in the detoxification process pre or post your sauna session! Happy detox everyone!
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Your Physical Therapist,
Disclaimer:
This information is generalized and intended for educational purposes only. Due to potential individual contraindications, please see your primary care provider before implementing any strategies in these posts.