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.
