In “The Lymphatic System and Mental Health Link”, we looked at how a properly working lymphatic system is crucial to maintaining the health of every system in the body, including mental issues such as the ability to concentrate, depression, and fatigue. We also learned what could happen to a body if the lymphatic system were to get bogged down either by too much bacteria or detritus build up, or from insufficient movement to keep the fluid flowing.
Lymphatic System Recap
“Because lymph cleanses nearly every cell in your body…[s]tagnant lymph can…interfere with the system’s ability to cleanse more potentially hazardous concerns, such as bacteria and cancerous or diseased cells from organ tissue. Viral infections, bacteria, and cancerous or mutagenic cells move through the lymph fluid, where they are targeted and destroyed in the lymph nodes…The lymph nodes are small, bean-shaped pockets interspersed along the lymph network…from your nose to your knees. Lymph nodes counteract infection by filtering the lymph fluid, engulfing and removing any bacteria and foreign substances” (www.womentowomen.com).
As part of the cleansing process, the lymph nodes develop antibodies specific to each bacteria, virus, or other illness-causing cells. Lymph cells mature in the bone marrow and thymus, then distributed to the lymph nodes in the lymph fluid waiting for something to come along.
With there being twice as much lymph fluid as blood in a person’s body, which bathes each cell, and then siphons potentially harmful substances from the body, it is clear that we need to pay better attention to this integral system.
Lymphatic Function throughout the Body
Keeping a healthy lymphatic system will:
- help your body fight off diseases and antigens in your blood
- clear out used red and white blood cells and platelets
- clear out any other harmful bodies in the blood
- attack potentially illness-causing agents the make it through the initial digestion stage
- manage allergic responses and food sensitivities
- transports dietary fats into the blood that our bodies need to function
- reduce the appearance and development of cellulite (which is the result of impaired lymph flow resulting in pockets of fat and trapped toxins)
*Note: over 90 percent of women have some form of cellulite resulting from weight gain, a genetic predisposition, or inactivity. (www.womentowomen.com)
If the lymphatic system is at all compromised, it will affect every other system in the body. Unfortunately, many western physicians and many patients pay very little attention to the lymphatic system until something happens to it when there are so many things that can be done to keep the system healthy and prevent many other illnesses caused by trapped or unmoving lymph fluid.
Preventing Lymph Fluid Back-Up
There are several things that can be done to keep the lymph fluid moving. Remember the lymph fluid does not have a particular organ pumping it through its pathways, like the heart does with blood. Lymph fluid relies on movement of the body to keep it moving.
1) Detoxification – In European and Far East cultures, detoxification is carried out twice a year, usually through massage (Manual Lymph Drainage or Lymph Drainage Therapy) that stimulates and encourages lymph fluid movement. Studies have shown that lymph fluid movement increases by a factor of 20 with MLD or LDT. A good practitioner will be able to feel the fluid moving and will work with the natural flow of the fluid.
2) Maintain a healthy lifestyle - Avoid fried foods as they can clog the lymph passages; keep the body hydrated to aid in cleansing; exercise regularly in activities that require up and down movement in particular, to stimulate lymphatic flow; breathe deeply (called: diaphragmatic breathing) to stimulate lymphatic flow into the blood stream.
3) Rebounding therapy – Rebounding therapy is good in a number of ways. Weight bearing exercises stimulate bone marrow growth and keeps bones healthy (those with osteoporosis who want to start exercising need to discuss their situation with their family doctor to come up with an exercise program that is safe), and the up and down motion helps keep lymph fluid flowing through the legs, torso and arms. “Vigorous exercise such as rebounding is reported to increase lymph flow by 15 to 30 times” (www.vitalitymagazine.com). Rebounding is simply jumping on a trampoline (a mini one works fine for indoor use), which reduces the strain of impact on joints. Twenty minutes of rebounding provides the same amount of cardiovascular activity and benefits as one hour of running.
4) Examine emotional issues – “Sometimes we get stuck in a particular pattern of stress that reduces our capacity to make positive changes. Your lymph can become blocked when you are feeling stuck or unable to express yourself…Life…is a progression...If you find the same situations arising over and over, you may want to take a closer look. Discuss any areas that feel stagnant or obtrusive with a friend, partner, therapist, or trusted religious advisor…as your lymph system unbinds, so does your spirit" (www.womentowomen.com).
In addition, avoid restrictive clothing, such as underwire and overtight bras, jeans, skirts and tops. These can impede lymph flow. Studies have shown that those who wear bras for more than 12 hours a day are at an increased risk of developing breast cancer. This finding is attributed to the lymphatic fluid not being allowed to flow through the breasts, preventing the cleaning out of toxins and potentially negative cells. Tank tops or camisoles are good alternatives.
Motivation to Keep Moving
I couldn't leave this topic without finishing off with this passage from Valerie Kemp's article "Lymphatic Drainage" from www.alive.com.
"Health benefits can include reduced tissue swelling caused by soft tissue damage [from] sports injury, car accidents, reactions to medication, some headaches, radiation and surgery.
"Lymphatic work has been, for many women instrumental for their proper breast care. It may work as a cancer preventative; clearing stagnation and increasing lymph flow; reducing cysts and swelling caused by biopsy, node removal and mastectomy.
"Lymphatic work can stimulate the immune system by increasing the production of antibodies, thereby increasing cellular and humoral immunity. Cellular immunity last from 30 minutes to 20 hours. Humoral immunity can last six to 20 years. This helps with a decreased sensitivity to allergies, more rapid recovery and prevention of colds and the flu, sinusitis, and ear and eye problems.
"Because the autonomic nervous system is affected, lymphatic work has an anti-spasmodic effect on stressed [muscles], reducing chronic pain and increasing range of motion. Constipation, insomnia, lethargy, fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue symptoms can also be improved. Cosmetically, lymphatic work helps alleviate scars, burns, stretch marks, wrinkles, cellulitis and adipose tissue."
With the health of this system affecting performance and function of every other bodily system, we need to sit up and take notice and take action to keep the fluid flowing.
Sources: www.womentowomen.com; http://organizedwisdom.com; www.alive.com; www.healingdaily.com; www.vitalitymagazine.com