Dry January: Can Massage Help With Detox?

Jennifer Lupton-Kelly, Owner of metta massage + wellness works with a patient at her clinic in east toronto

As you navigate Dry January, you’ll be feeling all the feelings - some physical depending on the level of your holiday indulgences, and definitely a mental and emotional impact. As your body is detoxing from holiday indulgences, it’s flushing out all the toxins and working hard to get you back to your best self. You might find yourself irritable, cranky, and tired right about now. Self-care practices like massage can be supportive and healing on your rethinking drinking journey.

We wanted to know specifically how massage can help ease your discomfort during Dry January, so we turned to Jennifer Lupton-Kelly, Registered Massage Therapist and owner of Metta Massage & Wellness in Toronto.

Q. How does massage promote overall well-being?

Massage has so many benefits! It helps reduce the tension that accumulates in our muscles during times of high stress or anxiety. It helps to reduce cortisol levels (a hormone our body produces when we have elevated stress levels). It increases the release of endorphins like serotonin and dopamine that promote happiness and relaxation, can help decrease pain and depression and helps to increase blood flow.

Q. How does massage help with overall detox?

It’s really the organs and the liver and kidneys that detox the body, so although massage can support the body’s natural ability to detoxify by promoting local circulation it does not directly contribute to the removal of toxins through the body. This is the job of of our skin, lungs, kidney, liver + intestines.

Massage would be most beneficial to support the emotional symptoms of withdrawal during a Dry January. Massage is a proven tool in decreasing stress, anxiety, irritability, depression - this will, in turn, enhance the person’s overall state of well-being.

Q. How does adding an aromatherapy massage help support healing and wellness during Dry January?

Massage and essential oils can help you manage withdrawal symptoms like anxiety, stomach problems, lack of focus, body aches, headaches, fatigue, lack of focus. Using aromatherapy can gently support uplifting your mood, and reduce stress and anxiety.

Treatments/essential oils that are great for Dry January include:

Juniper Berry- anti-inflammatory, pain relieving, supports liver function, cleansing

Lavender- calming, relaxing, reduces emotional stress/anxiety; promotes better sleep; alleviates headaches + improves mood

Ginger - facilitates the elimination of toxins. Ginger can soothe and reduce feelings of stress, sadness, anxiety, lethargy, agitation, dizziness, and fatigue. It soothes aches and reduces inflammation

Lemon/Grapefruit stimulates white blood cells to defend the body against infection; detoxifies through the blood and liver and is an anti-oxidant

Rosemary - use to feel mentally refreshed, increased alertness, reduce stress, anxiety, increase circulation, relieve pain

Q. Are there any specific essential oils or massage treatments you would recommend for someone to support detox?

Any massage is going to help support and relieve discomfort during Dry January. I recommend asking for a citrus oil, if you have the option of aromatherapy, as it has great detoxifying properties. Citrus also uplifts and enhances mood so it’s perfect for winter.

Q. What does Metta mean?

As Buddhist teachings suggest, when we invest our thoughts and actions in love, kindness and compassion, we are naturally filled with those qualities. We may then begin to radiate that positive energy outward to others. I embraced these teachings almost two decades ago, allowing them to become the guiding principle in my work as a Registered Massage Therapist. It is our mission to help you feel good; to help you achieve a feeling of calm, comfort and ease in your body. Using clinically proven massage therapy techniques infused with Metta - loving kindness.

You can find Jennifer and Metta Massage and Wellness at mettamassage.net.