A Deeper Dive On The Lymphatic System
I've written about the lymphatic system before, but today, I want to dive into what I learned in the Dr. Vodder Manual Lymphatic Drainage course that I recently took. Below is a quick video on how to do manual lymphatic drainage on yourself at home.
What is the lymphatic system?
The importance of caring for our lymphatic system can't be overstated. It wouldn't seem to be that important since we weren't taught about it when we learned about the immune system or the circulatory system, but that is the magic of science; it's never set in stone, and new things are being discovered every day… although the lymphatic system was discovered far before I learned basic anatomy, the focus on its importance is relatively recent.
Below you will find a complete audio recording of this video if you prefer to listen rather than read, along with a quick video on some MLD techniques to get you started!
Check out the video here:
The lymph system is often referred to as the body's waste management system. And this is amazing; taking the trash out is just as crucial to our health as taking nutrients in. The lymph system is also so much more than this! The lymphatic system IS the immune system, which works hand in hand with the circulatory system. White blood cells are produced in the lymphatic system, fluid balance is maintained so there is no swelling, hormones are transported, and fat and fatty acids are absorbed from the gut and made available as fuel.
The body has twice as much lymph as blood; we are bathed in lymph fluid. The lymph travels on a one-way path through vessels. It travels through the whole body with a destination of the trough between the collarbone and the neck. This area is called the terminus, and it is essential to know this because massaging this area daily (find out how in the attached video) is one of the best things you can do to support the movement of the lymphatic system. When you massage this area properly, it helps propel the fluid from the whole body on its way back to the bloodstream through the heart.
Lymph begins in the blood, and as blood is pumped through the capillaries, fluid is pushed through tiny pores in the capillary wall, and it enters the space between the tissue; this is the extracellular matrix (ECM). This fluid comprises water, proteins, fats, dead cells, hormones, pathogens, and dust, and non-biodegradable dyes that have made their way into our bodies. It is a nutrient-rich fluid that the cells and tissue of our body float around in. It is often referred to as the ocean within because it is so vast, if the body is a microcosm of the earth, then the ECM is the ocean… but also because it is made up of a similar mineral structure as seawater. Lymph vessels open up and take in the fluid, and it then becomes lymph, ready to journey through several lymph nodes, depending on where it is in the body. Each time the lymph travels through the node, it goes through three layers of little washing machines to be cleansed, and whatever cannot be filtered out by the nodes gets flushed out through the kidneys and then the bladder. Remember those dusts and dyes? They actually stay trapped in the node forever. lymphatic drainage does not clear these out. This is why it’s important to be mindful of breathing in dusts, and using non-biodegradable dyes like food dye, tattoo ink, and even hair dye and nail polish. The lymph nodes can become overburdened over time. This is not to produce fear, we live in the world, but it is something to be aware of.
Manual lymphatic drainage is different than gua sha; it is different than cupping or any other facial massage. It's not a massage; it is a touch therapy. This touch therapy consists of specific stretch and release manipulations. A massage, especially one you may have received from me or seen me demonstrate on Instagram, is more of a vertical movement, moving down into the tissue.
Manual lymphatic drainage is a horizontal movement across the skin's surface. The small lymph vessels are so tiny that the pressure of a massage will collapse them. That is not to say that you cannot do lymphatic supportive movements with the cups and the Gua Sha stones, but the technical "Manual Lymphatic Drainage" is a precise movement. Dr. Emil Vodder invented this type of touch therapy in the 1930s. His work was first accepted and popularized by the European estheticians of the time because of his ability to improve the skin. Today it is considered the gold standard of lymphatic drainage techniques and is utilized in spa and healthcare facilities.
Consult a physician before performing a self-massage if you have any of the following:
Active infection
Cold or Flu symptoms
Active bleeding or a blood clot
Congestive heart failure
Kidney failure
Deep vein thrombosis
Cancer
Any heart conditions
Pregnancy
How does stagnant lymph affect us?
Acne
Dry and dull skin
Hyperpigmentation
Eczema and other rashes
Hormone imbalances
Bloating
Allergies
Difficulty losing weight
Fatigue
Disposition to get sick often and easily
Sinus congestion
Brain fog
Constipation
Slow wound healing
Obesity
Muscle stiffness and paint
Arthritis and joint pain
Puffiness in the face
How to get the lymph moving?
Hydration
Yoga inversions
Swimming
Walking
Bicycle
Deep breathing acts as a pump
Compression
Jumping on a rebounder
Reflexology
Herbs
Castor oil packs
Infrared sauna
Cupping
Herbs for lymph:
Calendula
Self Heal
Chickweed
Violet
Cleavers
Red Clover
Poke
Additional Resources
An additional fantastic resource for full-body self-lymphatic drainage is the book:The Book of Lymph by Lisa Levitt Gainsley.
Instagram pages of note:
The Lymphatic Message
Lymph Love Club