A bit about Lymphatics

When I polled my instagram followers, the overwhelming request for an email topic was the Lymphatic System, so here is a little run down.

What is the lymphatic system? Where is it? What does it do? 

How does a manual lymphatic drainage massage work, and how does it differ from a relaxing or remedial massage?

The lymphatic system is a system of capillaries and node groups.

The lymphatic capillaries are all over our body, and very shallow, mostly above the fascial network.

The lymph nodes are located in familiar places such as the neck, armpits, groin, and belly (there are other places too, but it's easy to remember these as the areas that become swollen when we are sick).

The lymphatic system has a few main functions.

- removal of cell waste/debris/unwanted materials 

- absorption and removal of excess fluids and proteins from around the body

- regulation of fluid volume and pressure throughout the body (such as inflammation and swelling)

- localisation of infections

- production of immune-competent cells (cells to fight infections)

- transportation of fatty acids

Stress (physical and emotional), chemicals, infection, physical stagnation, and other factors can impede the function of the lymphatic system.

The lymphatic system does not have a pump, the way that the circulatory system has a pump, the heart, for blood to circulate.

Lymphatic fluid is pumped through diaphragmatic breathing (pressure on the many lymph nodes within the thorax), movement (the joints pump the node groups when they bend and flex), and manual lymphatic drainage massage, or other types of compression/vibration/movement.

The lymphatic system circulates around 1.5-2 litres of fluid a day, so it is relatively much slower to circulate than blood, of which around 5 litres is circulated per minute!

Lymphatic fluid starts as interstitial fluid (fluid around the body, it's normal in healthy amounts), then is collected by the lymphatic capillaries, brought to the lymph nodes, passes through some more major lymph vessels and is returned to the circulatory system.

The fluid is similar to blood but does not contain red blood cells or platelets.

The capillaries of the lymphatic system flow in specific directions towards node groups.

It is important to follow these directions of flow, termed "watersheds", when delivering lymphatic drainage to yourself or another person.

The movement of lymphatic fluid towards node groups is important because the lymph nodes is where the action happens; where bacteria and viruses can be destroyed.

Lymphatic drainage massage can be useful in the following circumstances 

- after surgery, especially when bruising and swelling is present (such as dental work for example),

- after injury including sprains, strains and broken bones

-lymphoedema 

- to prevent scarring

-sinutitis

-constipation and giestive discomfort

-swelling from being bedridden (I remember how swollen my hand was when I had a cannula in it for four days!)

- eczema

- migraines

It is contraindicated during acute infection, thrombosis, very low blood pressure, heart valve insufficiency, malignant tumour.

I hope you enjoyed learning about the lymphatic system.

There is so much more to say about this complex and interesting system, I may have to do another post!