Lymphatic Drainage Therapy

LYMPHATIC SYSTEM FUNCTIONS

• Maintain fluid levels: The lymphatic system collects excess fluid that drains from your cells and tissues and returns it to your bloodstream to be recirculated. 
• Absorbs fats from the digestive tract: Lymph has a fluid component from your intestine which contains fats and proteins that is also brought back to your bloodstream. 
• Protects your body against foreign invaders: The lymphatic system is part of the grander immune system. It is the production and distribution center for lymphocytes (white blood cells) and other immune cells that monitor and destroy: bacteria, viruses, parasites and Fungi. 
• Transports and removes waste products from the lymph

• Lymph: Fluid that collects extra cell and tissue fluids. 
• Lymph Nodes: A bean-shaped gland that monitors and cleanses the lymph as it filters through. The nodes are responsible for filtering out damaged or cancerous cells. You have about 600 lymph nodes throughout the body. Some stand alone and other are connected together by lymphatic vessels and are called chains. You may be familiar with some chain locations, such as the armpit, groin and neck.  
• Lymphatic Vessels: The network of capillaries and large network of tubes that transport lymph from tissues. These vessels operate in a similar way to our veins. They work under low pressure with valves that keep the fluid moving in one direction.
• Collecting Ducts: Where the vessels empty lymph. These ducts are connected to the subclavian vein, which returns the lymph back to your bloodstream. 
• Spleen: This is the largest lymphatic organ and is located on your left side under your ribs and above your stomach. The spleen filters and stores blood and is the production center for white blood cells. 
• Thymus: This organ is in your upper chest beneath the breast bone. It matures a specific white blood cell to fight foreign bodies and infections. 
• Tonsils + Adenoid: These organs trap pathogens from your food and the air. They are the first line defense. 
• Bone Marrow: This soft, spongy tissue is located in the center of the bones. It is another production center for white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets. 
• Peyer's Patches: Small masses of lymphatic tissue in the mucous membrane that lines your small intestine. These cells monitor and destroy bacteria in the intestines. 
• Appendix: This organ contains lymphoid tissue that can destroy bacteria before it is absorbed in the intestinal wall. 

LYMPHATIC DRAINAGE THERAPY

Lymphatic Drainage Therapy can include specific treatment options and for the best improvements you will find that a combination of professional treatments and @home treatments will serve you best on your journey to whole body wellness.

• Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD): You want this type of massage to be administered by a specialist. A lymphatic massage is a particular process that is not your ordinary massage and you will want your medical professional to be trained on the lymphatic system. The massage consists of light pressure and long, gentle, rhythmic strokes to increase the flow of lymph and reduce toxins in your body. ​​​​​
  • Benefits:
    • ​​While lymphatic massages do not produce permanent weight loss on their own, they may aid you in removing excess body weight.
    • It can help improve digestion and the removal of waste products from your body.
    • It may also help boost your metabolism by ridding your body of waste products through your lymph nodes.
• Compression Therapy: The cuffs can be used on a variety of body areas and they use sequential air compression massage therapy to massage your limbs, mobilize fluid and speed recovery of your body. 
  • Process:
    • Pulsing action: A dynamic compression (vs. static-squeezing), that mimics the muscle pump of the legs and arms, enhancing the movement of fluid and metabolites out of the limbs.
    • Gradient: A holding of pressures hold pressures to keep fluids from being forced in the wrong direction.
• At Home Lymphatic Drainage Kit: