By Dr. Anthony Salzarulo, DC, PT with Matthew Tomasino, BFA, LMT
Your largest organ is your skin. It is front and center to the daily onslaught of many potential exterior health enemies such as pollution, weather and trauma. Your skin is also one of the best indicators of unhealthy internal terrain continually offering clues about the health of your gastrointestinal, kidney, liver, lung, lymph and other organs and systems.
Some of the many skin symptoms which may indicate an imbalanced terrain include:
- Rashes
- Acne
- Dryness or cracking
- Scaly or rough skin
- Peeling
- Topical ulcers
- Sores or lesions
- Spots or discoloration
- Hives, psoriasis, rosacea, eczema
- Warts
The good news is that your skin is the most accessible organ that you can easily manage to enhance optimal terrain health.
Committing to a daily dry brushing protocol assists your body’s lymphatic system, circulation, skin health and more with detoxification and rejuvenation which in turn supports a more balanced terrain on many levels.
Dry brushing is a simple addition to your daily routine that could result in relieving symptoms and restoring terrain balance.
Keeping Your Terrain Healthy
Dry brushing is one of many options that may significantly assist in keeping your terrain healthy.
The major benefits of dry brushing include:
- Stimulating the lymphatic system — The lymphatic system helps your body fight infection. By dry brushing you slough off dead skin cells that may be impeding healthy skin “breathing” terrain therefore allowing the lymphatic system to work more efficiently.
- Exfoliating the skin — Exfoliation allows for healthier performing and looking skin.
- Helping the body rid itself of toxins — As the lymphatic system functions, toxins are excreted from the body and your skin is a major player in this excretion.
- Increasing circulation and energy — Dry brushing stimulates topical nerves which in turn stimulate surrounding musculature to pump more blood through your system. This circulation is imperative to overall optimal terrain health.
Incorporating A Daily Dry Brushing Protocol
The best approach to dry brushing is as follows:
- Always dry brush before you shower or bathe because you will want to wash off the impurities from the skin as a result from the brushing action.
- Brushing in circular motions, starting from the bottom of your feet upwards, from the hands towards the shoulders, and toward the heart on the torso to help drain the lymph.
- Use light pressure in areas where the skin is thin and harder pressure on places like the soles of the feet.
- Choose a natural-bristled brush, and consider one with a long handle to help you get hard-to-reach places, such as the back.
- Dry brush prior to bathing, preferably in the morning as this practice has been known to deliver a boost of energy.
- Avoid areas with wounds, rashes or other sensitivities.
- There is no need to brush too hard. Your skin should be a healthy pink after brushing not a deep red or presenting a sting.
- Replace the brush every 6-12 months as the bristles will eventually wear out. Also, washing the brush every few weeks to remove dead skin cells is recommended.
Dry brushing is a key practice to keep your terrain healthy and balanced.