some simple ways to help your lymph system
Your lymph system is a very important system in your body that is composed of tissues and fluids that run throughout your entire body (much like your circulation system). However, your lymph system does not have the help of your heart to keep things pumping and moving throughout your body. Therefore, it is vital to make sure that you are helping your lymph system release and empty fluids to avoid any toxic build up (which can leave you feeling weak and unwell).
When your lymph system gets congested, it leads to your lymph nodes swelling, which causes pains and aches throughout your body. It will also result in your liver and kidneys becoming toxic, because the toxins and chemicals from your lymphatic system aren’t draining properly. As a result, this can lead to weight gain, poor circulation, hormonal imbalances, digestive issues, and being sick more often… among many other things!
Luckily, there are quite a few easy ways that you can stimulate your lymph system every day to release toxins and cleanse your body.
Here are some simple ways to help your lymph system that can be incorporated into your daily routine.
- Drink a cup of warm water with a slice of raw fruit: Eating raw (uncooked) fruits on an empty stomach will allow the enzymes and acids in the fruit to have a detoxifying effect on your system. Grapefruit, lemon and lime work incredibly well to stimulate the lymph system to drain.
- Skin Brushing: This can be easily done before a shower by taking a dry brush and gently massaging your entire body using small circular movements always working up towards the heart. This not only will exfoliate your skin, but will also invigorate your lymph system.
- Hot And Cold Showers: While showering, switch from using hot water to cold water. The frequent change in temperature will stimulate your lymph system to move as well as your circulation by expanding and contracting your body’s blood vessels.
- Exercise: By walking briskly or engaging in intense exercise every day, you will encourage the lymph system and lymph fluids to circulate to your kidney and liver so that they can be filtered and released from your body. This is were hydration is key, to help the body eliminate everything with ease.
- Drink Water: To help remove toxins and chemicals, your body needs plenty of water to filter the lymphatic system! Drinking water throughout the day will ensure your body is not only hydrated, but also detoxifying the elements that can make you feel lousy.
- Massage: Not like you need another excuse to get a massage, but a massage (especially deep tissue or MLD) works to move the lymphatic tissue to drain. It basically “squeezes” the lymph system to release impurities and make room for healthy nutrients to come in and keep your system healthy and functioning properly.
- Laughter: Getting the giggles causes you to take deeper breathes. As a result, this stimulates your lungs and circulation to work together with the lymph system!
Manual Lymphatic Drainage and how it may help you.
Manual Lymph Drainage (MLD) is an advanced therapy in which a specifically trained therapist applies gentle, light, but precise hand movements to the skin, exerting different intensities of pressure to increase the activity of normal lymphatic vessels.
This encourages lymphatic fluid away from congested areas by bypassing ineffective or injured lymph vessels.
The treatment is very gentle and a typical session involves drainage of the neck, trunk, and the affected extremity (in that order), lasting approximately 40 to 60 minutes. The technique was pioneered by Doctor Emil Vodder in the 1930s for the treatment of chronic sinusitis and other immune disorders.
MLD benefits conditions such as:
Lymphoedema (Primary and Secondary)
Lipoedema
Injuries, including Sport Injuries
Toxins in the body and associated inflammatory conditions e.g sinusitis, eczema, digestive issues.
Pregnancy-related Swelling
Pre- and post-surgery
Hormonal Imbalance
Infertility
Lymphoedema
Lymphoedema (also Lymphedema) is a long-term (chronic) condition that causes swelling (oedema) in the body’s tissues. It can affect any part of the body but usually develops in the arms or legs. It develops when the lymphatic system cannot function normally. This may be as a result of damage to or removal of lymph nodes during treatment for cancer (Secondary Lymphoedema), or it may be
hereditary (Primary Lymphoedema).
If you are affected by this condition or are at risk of developing it due to recent cancer treatment, it is vital to keep yourself informed of potential triggers. It is recommended that you see an appropriately trained therapist as soon as possible.
Lipoedema
Lipoedema is a long-term (chronic) condition typically involving an abnormal build-up of enlarged fat cells in the legs, thighs and buttocks. It can be recognised by the extreme sensitivity of the skin and the presence of small lumps and bumps under the skin. The condition is more common in women but can affect men.
Treatment of Injuries
MLD works directly on the lymphatic system and is an effective, fast-working and pain-free technique, which assists the body in removing oedema (swelling) from an injury site.
Applying ice to an injury can prevent oedema. However, when the oedema is already present the waiting game begins and this can slow down the healing process and delay any necessary physiotherapy or physical therapy.
MLD speeds up the healing of fractures, torn ligaments and sprains and other sports injuries reducing the associated pain and getting you back to the sports field more quickly.
Detox
The lymphatic system is essentially the engine of the immune system and when that engine becomes blocked or sluggish it can have a negative impact on the entire body, from digestive issues, to congested sinuses, skin problems and poor energy levels.
MLD enhances the flow of fluid throughout the lymphatic system and improves the body’s ability to cleanse from the inside out, which is why it is a popular treatment for those interested in maintaining good health.
Pregnancy-related swelling
Self-care is important at this special time.
Mum’s-to-be can benefit greatly from regular sessions of MLD as it is a very relaxing therapy, helping to keep stress-levels in check and it relieves fluid congestion: e.g. swollen ankles, tired puffy eyes and swollen legs.
Post-Surgery
Recommended by many surgeons, MLD effectively and painlessly reduces bruising and oedema, accelerating the healing process and reducing the risk of infection and other complications.
Fertility
The lymphatic system is essentially the engine of the immune system and works hand in hand with the endocrine system (the body’s system of glands and hormones). Thus MLD, alongside other natural therapies and attention to diet and lifestyle, may assist the body to achieve balanced hormone levels, including luteinising hormone, which is responsible for ovulation.
Achieving and maintaining balance in the body can be a catalyst for conception as a lowered or impaired immune system causes the body to become prone to inflammation and disease.
The emotional impact of infertility also plays an important role. MLD gently stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, which in turn calms the sympathetic nervous system, helping to reduce stress levels.
For more information you can contact Aideen directly on 0851528969.
Written by Aideen Schweppe
