5 Benefits of Lymphatic Drainage Therapy

What is the Lymphatic System?

Just under our skin lies an intricate system of tributaries that make up our lymphatic system. We commonly think of our bodies as bone, muscle, organs and skin, but our bodies are 60 – 70% water.

The health of our bodies depends largely upon the optimum function of the lymphatic system including: all of the organs, glands, lymph nodes and lymph vessels located throughout the entire body.

Lymph fluid, also called interstitial fluid, bathes tissues and helps to deliver nutrients and oxygen to our cells. The main functions of the Lymphatic System are:

• Defending the body against disease
• Cleansing the body of toxins and
• Ridding the body of excess fluid

Specially trained therapists are able to work directly with the lymph system.

Benefits of Lymphatic Drainage Therapy (LDT)

1. Reestablishing healthy flow patterns for:

• Stagnant fluid (noticeable under arms, around breasts, in midsection, in the neck, arms, thighs and ankles
• Edema (swelling) in skin muscles, joints and throughout the body

2. To Drain Toxins

• To promote tissue regeneration for scars, stretch marks or wrinkles; or where the client has had an injury, surgery and may also be used for anti-aging applications
• To reduce fat. Most every time fat content is present in the tissue, lymph vessels are available to help evacuate them
• To help eliminate protein-rich fluid (macromolecules) from extracellular tissue

3. To Stimulate the Immune System

Lymphatic drainage techniques have been found helpful for chronic and sub-acute inflammation processes including:

• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
• Auto Immune diseases
• Arthritis, bronchitis, sinusitis, tonsillitis, laryngitis, acne, eczema etc.

4. To Stimulate the Parasympathetic System

This can be very helpful for those dealing with stress, depression or sleeping disorders.

5. To Reduce Pain

LDT helps alleviate tissue fluid stagnation and inhibits type C nociceptors that trigger pain.