The Lymphatic System: What, Why & How

You might have heard the term ‘Manual Lymphatic Drainage’ mentioned a time or two, and the buzz around this intriguing form of bodywork. Manual Lymphatic Drainage can reduce inflammation, help skin clarity, aid in circulatory benefits, ward off environmental toxins and allergies, reduce scars, improve digestion, and more. Cool! How though? Lindsay Cordell, a Massage Therapist certified in Lymphatic Therapy at Castle Hill Fitness, explains!

First, What is the Lymphatic System? 

This remarkable system is present throughout the entire human body and consists of lymph vessels and various other organs. Lymphatic tissue is found in all of this. Structures involved in the lymphatic system are: 

» Lymph Vessels

» Lymph nodes

» Spleen

» Thymus gland

» Lymphocytes

» Peyer’s Patches: Small masses of lymphatic tissue found in the small intestine which monitor intestinal bacteria populations and prevent the growth of pathogenic bacteria. 

So What Does the Lymphatic System Do?

The Lymphatic System is a critical body component that acts as an immunity shield, as well as a sewer system. The functions of the Lymphatic system are to:  

» Return protein and water from the interstitium to the cardiovascular system. (The interstitium is an organ consisting of fluid-filled spaces found in the body’s connective tissue.)

» Absorb protein, fat, and fat-soluble vitamins (Chyle) from the intestinal lymph vessels. 

» Recognize and defend against foreign microorganisms and disease. 

When foreign cells, cellular waste, and large molecules are inhibited from moving through lymph nodes, inflammation occurs. This is usually why our hip flexors (around the inguinal nodes), armpits (axillary nodes), and the medial knee (popliteal nodes) become tender. The movement of the lymphatic fluid becomes “bottlenecked” and extremities begin to feel heavy, spongy, or sluggish. Areas where the body has endured some sort of trauma or had surgery can often disrupt the original movement of the lymphatic system. Hardness or tension surrounding the scar tissue can occur because of this. The body’s natural fabric of fascia (or connective tissue) becomes compromised and tension begins to pull along fascial lines. As a result, compensation patterns and pain might spring up elsewhere in the body. Aiding the lymphatic system around these “blockages” helps reduce inflammation and/or pain, ease the tender or sluggish feeling, stimulate the immune system, and smooth out the skin’s appearance.

How to Do Manual Lymphatic Drainage on Yourself

Manual Lymphatic Drainage generally uses light pressure, but the results can be quite immense. This is in part due to the Lymphatic System’s primary function of assisting the immune system and moving alongside the circulatory system. The following Self-Lymphatic Drainage Protocol for the Upper Body is a great routine for allergy relief!

Consult your physician before performing this on yourself if you have any of the following conditions: Fever, acute infection, early onset inflammatory disease. Circulatory system problems (especially thrombosis), cardiac issues such as heart disease, acute angina pectoris, or coronary thrombosis (heart attack). Active bleeding, internal or external. Active malignant cancers, undiagnosed lumps, or tumors with origins not yet determined by your physician. High-risk pregnancy or late-term pregnancy with complications. 

Breathe

Take a few deep breaths before proceeding with the routine. Deep breathing acts like a pump that helps move fluid through the vessels and lymph nodes. Take a slow deep inhale through your nose for six counts and allow your abdomen to gently expand. Hold the breath for two counts. Gradually exhale for seven counts, while allowing your shoulders to drop and neck to relax. Repeat as many times as necessary.

Now for Some Self-Massage

1. Find where your collar bone meets the sternum. Two large ducts run on either side of the neck and down right where collar bones meet. Using a slow circular motion with a downward direction, move the skin. Make about 10 circles – think ‘Sunrise, Sunset’. Stimulating this area creates a pathway for all the waste lymph to drain down the ducts efficiently. 
2. With cupped hands, pinkies resting on the skin behind ears and thumbs near the neck’s base, repeat the same circular motion. At this point, you may notice the need to swallow, clear your throat, cough, or even feel your stomach gurgle. These are all great signs that drainage is occurring!
3. Move your fingertips to rest beneath your jawbone, a common spot for checking swollen lymph nodes. Make the circular downward motion 5-10 times with gentle fingertips. You may also use the same technique in various points on the jawbone, starting from beneath the lower lip to the back of the jaw. 
4. Address the areas in front and behind the ears, as well as either side of the nose. Two-to-three fingertip contact is enough for the circular motion. This movement clears the sinuses- a great help when you have allergies or a cold. 
5. Next, place 3 fingers on each of your eyebrows, following their shape. Use very light circular motions in a C-shape from the center of your eyebrows down along the orbital bone of the eye, back up to the tail of your eyebrow. This will help de-puff eyes and get the circulation going. 
6. Use light pressure around the temples and right in the center of the forehead for about one minute. Follow this with a repeat of steps 1, 2, and 3. 

7. The biggie. This area may be stimulated in this sequence or completely by itself to aid in upper torso drainage. Breathe deeply while treating this area. Place your fingertips in your armpit so the heel of your hand is gently cupping the top of your breast tissue. Time for the slow circular motions in a downward direction for ten times. Gurgling stomachs and slight burps are possible as lots of clearing occurs.