Lymphatic System Health
Lymphatic Drainage
Lymphatic Drainage is a powerful body work technique to encourage and increase the lymphatic flow within the body. Let’s explore how and why lymphatic drainage works to influence your health.
Firstly, what is the lymphatic system and why is it so important to our health?
Lypmh conveys to the blood the final products of digestion of food. It also receives from the blood waste products of metabolism (Bartram 1995). Not only from the blood but also the interstitial spaces as Dr A Cuyton wrote in the fifth edition of the Textbook of Medical Physiology:
The lymphatic system represents an accessory route by which fluids can flow from the interstitial spaces back to the blood. And, most important of all, the lymphatics can carry proteins and large particulate matter away from the tissue spaces, neither of which can be removed by absorption directly into the blood capillary.
We shall see that this removal of proteins from the interstitial spaces is an absolutely essential function without which we would die within about twenty four hours. (Guyton 1976) As referenced in Matthew Wood’s book Holistic Medicine and the Extracellular Matrix p.175. Both Wood and Guyton demonstrate the profound and ultimately life supporting importance of the lymphatic system.
The Lymphatic system also plays a large part in our bodies immune response.
Lymphatic tissue initiates highly specific responses directed against particular microbes or abnormal cells. (Tortora G. 2000)
Unlike the cardiovascular system, It does not have an internal pump to move it through the body. The two main natural establishments of flow are breathing and movement.
In our current often sedate world we are sitting for long periods of time with our shoulders hunched forward. This decreases our lungs capacity to breathe deeply and the time we spend moving our whole bodies, thus greatly impacting the lymphatic system’s ability to function at optimum capacity. (Green K., 2022)
Along with the decrease in movement diseases such as Lymphoma and the surgery used to treat it, can create a greater need for lymphatic stimulation.
This is where Lymphatic drainage massage also known as Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) or Simple Lymphatic Drainage (SLD) have been established to help treat and support the lymphatic system.
Lymphatic Drainage Massage
Lymphatic drainage – this is a special, gentle massage technique aimed at moving fluid out of the affected area. Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) should only be carried out by specially trained practitioners, but a simplified form Self Lymphatic Drainage (SLD) can be taught to patients and/or their partners/carers.(Lymphodema Support Network London, n.d.)
See what is happening beneath the skin when you do Manual Lymphatic Drainage. Specialists in lymphoedema care gather from all over the UK to see scanning technology in action. It’s an eye-opener for them and their patients.(page 3, MLD) http://www.medic.video/ilf-lymph (Lymphoedema Network Wales, n.d.)
MLD starts with getting the client to breathe deeply, filling the abdomen first and expanding the inbreath up to the collar bones. This can take a few practice goes to comfortably do. Then getting them to relax completely on the out breath. This begins the body’s natural pump and flow of lymph throughout the torso & lymph trunk. The the therapist will start at the main lymphatic ducts and nodes under the clavicle. Depending on the individuals medical history and needs the therapist will direct the flow of lymph through out the body through very gentle sweeping strokes. Always clearing the nodes prior to moving lymph into them. As pointed out in (page 3, SLD lower limbs) http://www.medic.video/ilf-lymph, like a drain,sweeping the water closest to the drain then gradually from further away. If you start at the back and try to push it all forward to quickly the drain will flood so you have to do it bit by bit.(Lymphoedema Network Wales, n.d.)
The treatment is deeply relaxing and works not only on the lymphatic system but also on the nervous system due to its repetitive and soothing strokes. I personally have come to believe after 22 years of clinical practice, that it helps to heal and clear cellular memory and toxics from current to decades old experiences. Often the smell of medications administered even decades before is released, with both the client and therapist being aware of it. Trauma and tremors are sometimes released especially when accompanied with the deep breathing and relaxation of the nervous system.
It is a very feminine and nurturing massage in which many clients, who have not experienced deep relaxation and nurturing for long periods of time, come to a deep sense of wellbeing and self awareness.
It greatly depends on your needs to understand how frequently treatment needs to be repeated to be effective. It is recommended to include SLD,gentle exercise and breathing techniques between sessions.
SLD is an easy and powerful self massage technique.
Demonstrated in real-time, SLD self-massage to move lymph away from blocked drains is taught to a patient with lower limb Lymphoedema.(page 3,SLD lower limbs) http://www.medic.video/ilf-lymph
I also like to encourage my clients to use a shower rose or face cloth in the shower to do a basic SLD everyday. Remembering to start at the neck and finish at the neck.
I also will teach my clients to use specific herbal ointments such as Plantain and or Cleavers ointment with SLD of the head if they are experiencing a head cold to enhance the treatment.
Who shouldn’t get a Lymphatic Drainage Massage
Doctors do not advise people with the following conditions to use lymphatic drainage massage: Congestive heart failure,History of blood clots or strokes,Current infection, Liver problems,Kidney problems. These people, however, may seek permission from their doctors if they require a massage for specific body parts.(Kumar K., n.d.)
After a treatment you can feel tired and sluggish, flu like symptoms or aching for 24hrs. Keeping up with quality water and gentle movement is a great way to alleviate or less these effects if felt.
Lymphatic Drainage Massage is a powerful and effective treatment in adding the body keep homeostasis and is for those affected by lymphatic diseases as well as those wishing to help the body detox and restore itself. It is unlike normal massage as it does not engage the muscles except through breathing. Deeply feminine in nature, reestablishing the flow of the “waters” in the body.
Address
185 Old Veteran Rd
Veteran
Hours
Mon-Friday
9am to 3pm
Phone
043237957*9