The Lymphatic System
What is the lymphatic system and what does it do?
The lymphatic system is a very important system of the body that is often overlooked. The lymphatic system consists of 600-700 lymph-nodes, capillaries, lymphocyte, bone marrow and includes organs such as spleen, thymus, tonsils and peyers patches.
The lymphatic system returns protein and water from the interstitium to the cardiovascular system. The lymphatic system also absorbs protein, fat, and fat soluble vitamins (chlye) through intestinal lymph vessels. It also recognizes and responds to foreign cells, microbes, and cancer cells and serves an important function the the immune system.
What is a Lymphatic Drainage massage?
MLD is a very effective yet gentle manual technique. Your therapist will use soft movements to help stimulate lymph flow through your lymphatic system back into the blood stream to reduce swelling and detoxify the body.
What are the benefits?
MLD reduces swelling and detoxifies the skin and superficial fascia by promoting drainage within the superficial and deep systems of the lymph vascular network. Accelerated drainage of nociceptive substances from the tissues and light pressure used in MLD provide a stimulus for the “gate control”. (Gate control theory- a medical construct suggesting one’s nerves can be stimulated in a way that they close the “gates” which normally allow pain signals to reach the brain.) MLD has also shown to decrease the sympathetic mode of the body and increase the parasympathetic mode to relax the body.
Is lymphatic drainage for me?
If you suffer from the following you would be a great candidate for MLD!
Swelling of body and extremities
Pre and post surgical edema
Soft tissue injuries (Sprain)
Hematoma
Rheumatoid arthritis
Fibromyalgia
Whiplash
Migraines
PTSD
Anxiety disorders
Mild lymphadema
Palliative Care/Hospice
Cancer
Chronic fatigue syndrome
Scleroderma
Neurological issues
And more!
To Learn more or have any question please email or call us at (815)334-0842!
