I will start off talking about one of my favorite processes in the body - the Lymphatic System. It is not talked about nearly enough for all the hard work it does (and tries to do even when we have n... View MoreI will start off talking about one of my favorite processes in the body - the Lymphatic System. It is not talked about nearly enough for all the hard work it does (and tries to do even when we have not been helping it).
Old virus cells, wayward toxins, and debris floating around our body is eliminated through the lymphatic system. Making sure it runs smoothly and efficiently helps our body stay healthy and reduces other issues (swelling/inflammation, lymph node issues). This makes it especially important while detoxing or healing the gut.
The lymphatic system does not have a pump like our circulatory system. Breathing intentionally (using our core muscles and nasal passages), doing dry brushing, lymphatic massage, and physical activity (especially bouncing) helps our lymphatic fluid move along the way it should.
Here is a nice video that explains the lymphatic system and how it is involved in so many processes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QD9AdNXSQe4
Introduction to the Lymphatic System
What is the lymphatic system? The lymphatic system delivers fluid and larger molecules to the circulatory system, and it is involved in immune system surveil...
My Lymphatic Massage Steps
Here are the steps that I use. Sometimes, I give some areas extra attention depending on what my body needs at the time.
How do I give myself a lymphatic massage?
I like ... View MoreMy Lymphatic Massage Steps
Here are the steps that I use. Sometimes, I give some areas extra attention depending on what my body needs at the time.
How do I give myself a lymphatic massage?
I like to start at the neck, slide your hands down the sides of your neck to the soft, kind of squishy spot below your collarbone and gently pat it ten times with your palm. Then, use your palms to gently rub from the top, underside of your arms to down below the sides of your chest. Do this several times as well. These areas can get "clogged up" easily so generating flow through them first is very helpful.
Now that those areas are moving well, gently rub from the middle of your face towards your ears starting at the forehead and working down to the chin. Then, place your two fingers on each side of your lower earlobes down to the spot below your collarbone. If you have jaw pain, pressing firmly but gently into the top jawline up into the corners towards your earlobes while lowering your bottom jaw. After that, gently bring rub down the back of your neck and around each side to below your collarbone.
Next, rub the palms of your hands together then go up the palm side of your fingers and down the back side of your fingers (the lymph vessels are on the back side of your hands). Follow from the back side of your hand down following a natural curve to the inside of your elbow to the top, underside of your arm going down below the side of your chest.
Reaching as comfortably as you can from the middle of your back - while still being gentle, rub around to the front below your chest. Repeat a few times.
Then, there is the lower half. All the fluid from your legs comes up through the inside of the thighs into your groin. We want to open the flow in this area just like we did around the neck and arms. Comfortably spreading your legs, gently rub from your inner, upper thigh up towards your groin and then towards your middle abdomen. Repeat several times.
Rub your hands from the ankles and top of your foot up towards your upper thigh. I start at the inside and go around each leg paying extra attention to the knees. Then, reach towards your lower back and rub around to below your chest.
If somewhere on your body begins to feel fuller or warmer, then you may have a fluid backup in this area. That is often associated with scar tissue especially from surgery. Try and gently rub it in a different direction and around bringing it back around towards the center of your abdomen below the chest.
Below is a nice image for where the lymph nodes and important functioning parts of the lymphatic system.
To help my system recover from the 2 C sections and thus build up of scar tissue that the lymp... View MoreBelow is a nice image for where the lymph nodes and important functioning parts of the lymphatic system.
To help my system recover from the 2 C sections and thus build up of scar tissue that the lymph fluid cannot pass through, I do the lymphatic massages and use a lymphatic cream especially across my abdomen. Between those two things and taking an anti-inflammatory tincture, I am seeing a lot of improvement in my fluid retention problems. Repairing my core muscles is my biggest battle, but I will get there.
Do you have fluid retention issues?
Dry Brushing and tips
How do you support your Liver and Lymphatic system?
This is one of the things I have struggled with since my first c section 5 years ago. My legs hold even more fluid than t... View MoreDry Brushing and tips
How do you support your Liver and Lymphatic system?
This is one of the things I have struggled with since my first c section 5 years ago. My legs hold even more fluid than they used to and now my arms do as well. I have been working on lymphatic massages off and on (they are very helpful when you do it daily and frequently). I have been using a lymphatic cream with the massages and anti-inflammatory extract as well.
Another option is dry brushing. Below is a picture guide for the brushing directions for the most benefit. Before you take a shower or bath, just take the dry brush, gently brushing your skin in the directions suggested in the picture below. Essentially, all things brought to the abdominal area. It also provides great exfoliation!
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