Contents
Our body is a microcosm: it contains moisture in the same proportion as the surface of the Earth. Lymph bathes every cell of the body, and therefore the gentle action of lymphatic drainage can tidy up our internal ecology, help remove toxins and wash away traces of stress.
Edema, chronic fatigue, reduced immunity, heaviness in the legs are very common phenomena, and they are a direct result of our lifestyle. The lack of movement and fresh air, the activity of bacteria, viruses and an excess of toxins caused by pollution, medication or stress overload the lymphatic system.
“Approximately 20% of the detoxification work is done by the lymphatic system,” explains Svetlana Samorodskaya, a lymphatic drainage specialist. – This is not so little, considering that our body has such powerful cleansing stations as the kidneys, liver, lungs and skin. Simple techniques designed to revive the flow of lymph seem so easy that some doubt their effectiveness. And completely wrong.”
Washing from within
The fact is that the lymph does not have such a powerful pump as the blood: its role in the circulatory system is played by the heart. Its movement is slow, about 4 mm per second. Its circulation depends on the pressure in the venous and lymphatic systems, which is created by the work of our muscles, the movement of the diaphragm and lungs during breathing, the contraction of the lymphatic vessels and the pulsation of the adjacent arteries. Lymphatic capillaries transport lymph to the lymphatic vessels – a special system of valves ensures its movement in only one direction. The vessels direct it to the lymph nodes, where it is cleared of harmful substances and bacteria and enriched with lymphocytes and antibodies.
Depending on external conditions, lymph can triple its drainage capacity – for example, when it is hot. Some people experience severe swelling in their legs, arms, or face in the heat – this is one of the signs of an overload of the lymphatic system. Lymphatic drainage is able to make the lymph circulation about ten times more active, and this allows you to have a beneficial effect on the body in several directions at once.
3 ways to help yourself
Deep breathing. It is possible to activate the movement of lymph, washing the internal organs, with the help of deep breathing. “In order to involve this part of the lymphatic system in the cleansing process, the lymphatic drainage specialist suggests the patient to take several cycles of complete breathing at the beginning of the session,” says Svetlana Samorodskaya. “You can improve the movement of abdominal lymph (in the abdomen) with the help of breathing exercises: bodyflex, pranayama.” The simplest exercise is deep breathing with the abdomen, accompanied by movements of the abdominal wall: inward on exhalation, outward on inhalation.
Circular movements. The largest lymph nodes are located in the area of the main joints: under the knees, under the armpits, near the elbows and hip joints. Lymphatic drainage gymnastics – bending the arms and legs, rotating the shoulders and forearms, and the well-known “bicycle” exercise – is a very good means of preventing edema. Such exercises help to “disperse” the lymph with heaviness in the legs in the evening or reduce swelling of the face in the morning.
More water. Despite the fact that doctors have not come to a consensus on exactly how much water to drink per day, to improve the functioning of the lymphatic system, it is advisable to drink a little water at room temperature as often as possible. And drink at least a glass of water after each session of lymphatic drainage, as well as after visiting the sauna or jacuzzi, which also produce a detoxifying effect on the body.
improve immunity
Lymph is part of the immune system: it contains special cells, several types of lymphocytes. Some of them are able to recognize aggressors (viruses or bacteria) and mark them with antibodies, others can neutralize foreign agents, and still others destroy altered (mutated) cells of their own body, such as cancer cells. Lymph nodes filter lymph, remove bacteria, viruses and other foreign substances. When bacteria enter the lymph node, they linger in it.
If there is damage anywhere in the body, the cells of the immune system quickly find that place. Some of them limit the focus of inflammation, preventing bacteria from spreading. Others capture the pathogen, travel to the nearest lymph node, and activate lymphocytes that destroy it and retain a memory of it—sometimes for life.
By activating the circulation of the lymph, we accelerate its purification and improve all these immune processes. Here you can also find an explanation of why lymphatic drainage (and massage in general) is contraindicated in acute infections – to prevent pathogens from spreading before the immune system takes appropriate measures.
Overcome fatigue
Chronic stress contributes to the formation of toxins, but at the same time, the natural functions of their neutralization are blocked. When this is added to the lack of fresh air and movement (in this case, there are much fewer metabolic processes occurring at the level of the lungs), toxins are worse removed from the body and fatigue accumulates. “Manual lymphatic drainage is not deep, the work takes place at the level of the skin and subcutaneous fat,” says Svetlana Samorodskaya. “These gentle, monotonous, enveloping movements achieve the dual effect of improving lymph circulation and deep relaxation.”
Fluid stagnation almost always accompanies excess weight and such a phenomenon as cellulite.
Immediately after the session, the first signs of detoxification appear: the kidneys and urinary system work in an intensive mode, removing decay products. Improves sleep and bowel function.
Remove excess fluid
The tendency to edema (whether it be a genetic predisposition or lifestyle features) is easily determined: if after pressing a finger on the shin bone a white hole remains, it means that fluid accumulates in the body. Someone notices swelling of the face, bags under the eyes in the morning, others complain of swelling, heaviness in the legs in the late afternoon. Lymphatic drainage effectively copes with these phenomena. And it is also an excellent remedy for cellulite: tissues clamped by intoxicated fluid and accumulation of fats harden due to poor blood and lymph circulation.
“Lymphatic drainage massage is a mandatory step in all anti-cellulite programs,” says physiotherapist Marina Druts. – Firstly, fluid stagnation almost always accompanies excess weight and such a phenomenon as cellulite. Secondly, if lipolytic processes (fat burning) have begun in the body, we need to increase lymph circulation in order to free tissues from metabolites, decay products.
Lymphatic drainage (excluding some hardware techniques) has practically no contraindications. It can be done by pregnant women, it alleviates the condition of people with hormonal disorders or, for example, patients with diabetes. The qualification of a specialist is very important here – with too intense or improperly performed lymphatic drainage, well-being may worsen. It is good if you are asked to consult a doctor before performing drainage.