Meet the Lymphatic System
Our bodies are complex systems, constantly working to maintain internal balance and overall health. One vital component of this system is the lymphatic system, responsible for filtering out impurities and waste products from our bodies. The lymphatic system is key to maintaining a strong immune system and overall health and well-being.
“Lymphatic dysfunction can cause a range of debilitating symptoms, from swelling and pain to chronic fatigue and cognitive impairment. Recognizing the importance of lymphatic health is key to maintain overall wellness.”
Dr. Carrie Jones, ND
Woah, woah, woah… Hold on.
Swelling? Pain? Chronic fatigue? Cognitive impairment?!
Unfortunately, That’s not even the half of it.
We can assuredly associate any pathology with the word –itis attached to it is dealing with inflammation in some regard
- Colitis: Inflammation of the colon
- Dermatitis: Inflammation of the skin
- Sinusitis: Inflammation of the sinuses
- Hepatitis: Inflammation of the liver
- Myocarditis: Inflammation of the heart
These listed above are just a few of the “-itis” pathologies to express the altogether connectedness that is the lymphatic system. More common ailments associated with inflammation and the lymphatic system could be as follows:
- Type 2 diabetes: inflammation can lead to insulin resistance.
- Cancer: Chronic inflammation can increase the risk of cancer by damaging DNA and promoting the growth of abnormal cells.
- Arthritis: Inflammatory substances in the body can attack joint tissue.
- Asthma: Inflammation of the airways makes them more sensitive to allergens and irritants.
- Alzheimer’s Disease: Chronic inflammation may contribute to the formation of amyloid plaques in the brain, a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease.
- Autoimmune disorders: Multiple Sclerosis, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis are all caused by an overactive immune system that triggers chronic inflammation in different parts of the body.
“The lymphatic system plays a crucial role in maintaining fluid balance throughout all tissues of the body and in clearing waste products from the system. When the lymph system is compromised, the risk of edema, infection, and cancer increases.”
Dr. Bruce Perry, MD
Main Take-away
Think of it like this: If the blood acts as the nutrient delivery system, the lymph is the trash disposal system. How would your house would look if you just never took the trash out?
Let’s take a deep breath
That was pretty heavy
Getting the bad news out of the way lets us push right on to the good part. The good part is that inflammation is a totally natural immune response of the body. It’s purpose is to protect the body from infection, injury, and illness. It’s only when we let it get out of control that it becomes harmful to us.
Take back control
Here are couple things we can all do in our day to day routines to help reinforce our lymphatic system and iron-clad our bodies defenses.
- Maintain a healthy diet: plant-based food goods including fruits, vegetable, nuts, and omega-3 fatty acids (found in fish or as a common supplement) all have strong anti-inflammatory properties
- Exercise regularly: There is a lot to go over here, but for now we’ll just note that the direct positive relationship between the immune system, stress levels, and a healthy body weight are clear indicators of exercise’s importance to our health.
- Get enough sleep: Our bodies produce cytokines in our sleep which are proteins that help fight infection, inflammation, and stress. Not enough sleep and not only will our bodies not keep up the production of this protein, but instead it will increase the production of stress hormones like cortisol, a contributor to inflammation.
- Manage stress: Easier said than done, right? Meditation, yoga, and deep breathing techniques can be effective tools in reducing inflammation by reducing stress, regulating the immune system, decreasing oxidative stress, and improving sleep quality.
- Quit smoking: Smoking not only damages the lungs but also causes inflammation throughout the body, increasing the risk of chronic disease.
- Limit alcohol intake: excessive alcohol consumption can lead to inflammation and a weakened immune system
Here is where we come in
With our bodies constantly under attack in our day to day life, management of this under-acknowledged system can seem overwhelming at times. What we have to offer is a different approach to massage in order to directly affect this system. Here is what we can expect from it.
Lymphatic massage is a gentle, non-invasive massage technique that works to stimulate and activate the lymphatic system, improving the circulation of lymphatic fluid throughout the body. This process helps to flush out impurities and reduce inflammation, leading to improved overall health. Lymphedema, characterized as the “fluid” repeatedly mentioned throughout, can accumulate in all manners of tissue. A trained Lymphatic Specialist is equipped with the tools and knowledge necessary to hone in on site specific tissue groups and stimulate this circulation in order to reduce swelling and inflammation.
If you are interested in improving your overall health and well-being, consider adding lymphatic massage to your self-care routine. Talk to a qualified health professional to learn more about the benefits of this technique and how it can help you achieve your goals.