Massage to Improve Immunity?

Massage is probably the last thing that you would think of when looking for strategies to improve your immune system.

But a specific type of massage, Lymphatic or Lymphatic Drainage Massage (known as LDM), could do just that.
LDM's link to immune functions is clear enough that it is contra-indicated with those who have had an organ transplant. Transplant patients must take immune-suppressing medications for the rest of their lives, so anything that boosts immune function is not desired.

I will be writing about the research behind Lymphatic Massage and other issues, but more research needs to be done to show exactly how strong the connection is and what patients benefit the most. We need long-term studies done, with followup reports over the course of a decade (at least) not just a few months.

Sports Fitness: Get Buff in 6 Min./Day?

Read an interesting article in the New York Times about a study done on rats regarding changes in muscle tissue with two groups of rats. One group was worked in lengthy swimming sessions, two sessions of three hours each. Another group was worked more intensely for shorter bouts: each session was about twenty seconds with a ten-second rest, but while carrying a weight. The two groups of rats had very similar changes in muscle tissue despite the very different training regimens.
Rats have similar muscle tissue to that of humans, so the researchers extrapolated that humans did not necessarily have to exercise for hours in order to develop endurance.
You can read the story about the study at http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/06/24/can-you-get-fit-in-six-minutes-a-week/?em
My concern is that athletes who go full bore into an intense weight-training session are probably more likely to get injured. Start with those stretching and limbering exercises first before intense bouts. Muscles need to be warmed up adequately before you stress them with anything that intense.