In today’s world, most of us are aware that there are many bad things that can enter our body and make us sick. There are poor food choices, poisonous chemicals, and many other contaminants that increase our risk for poor health and disease. It is practically impossible to remove the risk, but we should do our best in order to avoid increased exposure. The best way to do this is by educating ourselves and making good choices. We still need our body’s lymphatic system to flush the bad things out of our system, but we can assist with a simple activity called dry brushing.
What you can expect from dry brushing
How does our system drain? One way is through our lymphatic system. The lymphatics are designed to create a natural detoxification process that happens automatically. However, environmental impurities often block this natural state, so we need to give it a little help.
How and when to dry brush?
Dry brushing is brushing the skin without the use of water or soaps. When dry brushing the body, brush the limbs and torso. Start at your feet, move up the legs, then work from arms to chest. Every brush motion should be directed towards the heart. Start by brushing the skin gently until it becomes conditioned to tolerate a firmer hand.
Avoid these areas:
- Face
- Irritated areas
- breasts
Use light strokes until your skin becomes less sensitive. The best time to dry brush is before a shower. There is no time limit for this. Go at your own pace as you work this into your shower routine. Make sure you reach the inner thighs, and under the arms. You will feel a tingly, or itchy feeling afterwards. This is normal. Use your best judgement for applying pressure. Don’t forget to clean your brush!
Use this type of dry brush for best results
Benefits of dry brushing
- Aids in circulation
- Unclogs pores
- Exfoliates dead skin
- Reduces cellulite
- Helps relieve stress
- Promotes healthy digestion
- Supports your immune system
- Eliminates toxins
What type of dry brush to use, and where to find them.
Choose a dry skin brush that has natural fiber bristles and a long handle for reaching all of your back. The bristles may feel too firm at first, but your skin will adjust to this over time. If you have very sensitive skin, you may want to start with a softer brush, dry towel, or a loofah. Sprouts and most beauty department stores will carry these. Happy brushing!
For more information please visit Johns Creek Chiropractic!