Benefits of Dry Brushing

Dr. Brenda Fairchild

Benefits of Dry Brushing

I am a huge fan of dry brushing to help with lymph drainage.  But, there are so many other benefits of dry brushing as well.  First off, let's talk about why lymph is so important!Lymph system helps with keeping us healthy!  Aids in boosting our immune system.  The lymph system contains tissues and organs through out our body to help us eliminate waste and toxins.  When we are sick, the lymph node can swell due to increased lymph fluid.  As our body starts to get rid of the virus or bacteria, the lymph nodes should start to decrease.  But that is not always the case.  We also have other organs that help with maintaining a healthy body:

• Spleen
• Thymus
• Tonsils
• Adenoids

As you can see, these are pretty important organs, and why I am not always happy of people getting rid of their tonsils and adenoids.  If they are swollen, we have to figure out why!!!!  Not just get rid of them!!Dry brushing is an amazing way to help our bodies get lymph fluid moving to keep us healthy!

Other benefits of Dry Brushing:

1. Helps with Digestion!!!  You all know I am all about pooping!!!  
2. Exfoliates your skin.  Your skin will be sooo soft and smooth, and some of my patients notice more even skin color tone.  
3. Can help with cellulite.  Helps to move stored fat around.
4. Improve circulation of the body.
5. Helps you feel more energized!  I like to do my brushing in the morning before my shower.  I will help wake you up and set the tone for the day.  
6. Less swelling in hands and feet.
7. Stimulates the nervous system!!  As a chiropractor, it is super important!  Every cell, muscle, organ are controlled by your nervous system.  That is why spinal alignments are just as important as dry brushing.  Dry brushing helps tostimulate our senses especially touch.
8. Can help alleviate stress and anxiety which can lead to better mental health!  Being happy and grateful can help with improved circulation and improved immune function.

As you can see, dry brushing extends beyond just the lymph system!

How to Dry Brush:

• I always start at my feet and you want to brush up your leg towards the center of your body towards your groin.  I do my standing using my bed to stabilize me.  Work all over your feet, then calf, then thigh.  As you get to know your legs you will start to feel some knots or areas that may need more attention and go over them a little more often or vigorously. Just not too hard to effect your skin.  I spend about 15-30 seconds per area.  So, one leg may take 45-60 in total.  
• Next, I then start working in my hands and arms.  Here I hold my arm in the air and work downward towards my armpit, breast, and heart.  Make sure you are getting into the armpit as it will tickle but very important!  Spend about 60 seconds each side.
• Then I will do face and neck.  Do lightly or have a separate brush for face and neck that is a bit softer.  There again, brush downwards toward the heart. I spend 20-30 seconds on this area.
• Next, is back and glutes.  This is not the easiest.  Do the best you can.  My brush has a long handle.  I try to go circular or downward over my back.  For my glutes, I start int he middle and move outward to the front of my groin.  30-60 seconds
• Chest area including breast, brush downward to the abdomen.  Lifting the breast as well to get underneath.  I spend 20-30 seconds on chest and breast. 
• The abdomen is where you want to spend the most time and most important for elimination.  Sometimes I will lay not the bed on my back, but not necessary.  Start over the bladder just above the pubic bone and brush in a clockwise direction until you get back to the bladder again.  You are going in the same direction of your bowel and this will help with elimination.  I spend 1-2 minutes just on the abdomen alone.  

I like to dry brush 1-2 times a week.  I usually do in-between my epsom salt baths.  Opposite days.  I will do it more if my legs are sore form working out, or if I am feeling sick.  I use a bamboo brush.   You can spend as much as you want.  My brush was about $20.  You can find a dry brush is most bath stores, Amazon, or health foods stores.