Most of us know little about the lymph system. We’re familiar with the
lymph nodes located in the armpits and the groin, and have a vague
notion that swelling of the nodes is a danger signal, but that’s it.
Did you know that the lymph system is twice the size of our other
circulatory system? Twice as much lymph as blood is present in our
bodies, and we have twice as many lymph vessels as blood vessels.
As most readers probably know, much of the body is made
up of water. Part of the water is in the bloodstream, but far more
resides in the lymphatic system. Our cells are located in a sea of
lymph, a pale fluid.
The lymphatic vessels run parallel to
the blood veins in the body. The vessels of the lymph system are filled
with a fluid called lymph that is collected from the space between the
cells in the body. The lymph fluids feed the cells of the body by
transporting various nutrients such as salts, minerals, and proteins to
every cell of the body. Likewise, lymph fluid carries cell wastes and
debris that accumulate from normal cell function away from the cells and
turns them over to the blood. The blood shuttles the wastes to the
kidneys, lungs, colon, and skin for elimination. The lymph system can be
thought of as the cellular toxin disposal system.
Lymph flows slowly upward through the body to the top of
the chest at a rate approximating 3 quarts per day. Lymph collects, is filtered in, and then passes from nodes within the
system. There are over six hundred lymph nodes in our bodies, some nodes are located just above the bend in the elbow. 20 to
30 large nodes are clustered deep within the underarm and upper chest
regions. Lymph from the legs and genitals collects in and drains through
a large collection of nodes in the groin. Lymph fluid also flows down
from the head through the neck. Lymph from the nose, lips, and teeth
drain through lymph nodes in the floor of the mouth. Other nodes are
found in the tonsils and adenoids. This is a one-directional flow.
They engulf and destroy many foreign and toxic particles. Lymph nodes
also contain b lymphocytes that produce antibodies to protect the body
from future viruses, bacteria, yeast, and other organisms.
In a healthy state, lymph nodes are about the size of almonds. However,
when they are overloaded with excess toxins, they swell and become
painful. This occurs when the body experiences colds and infections. The
lymph system is vital in helping to fight disease.
The lymph system has been little recognized nor researched until the
latter half of this century. Indeed, in 1900, the structure and action
of the lymph system remained largely undefined. Even within the past 10
years, most students would not have gained an awareness that organs such
as the tonsils, adenoids, thymus, and spleen were part of the lymphatic
system. Nor would they have learned that the lymph system is often the
first line of immunological defence against harmful bacteria, toxin
concentrations and oxygen starvation of one's cells.
When the lymphatic system is flowing freely everything
is fine. When it backs up, however, there’s trouble. The consequences can be serious, even life-threatening. Not only are the
building, repair and waste disposal systems affected by a disruption,
the body’s defences against foreign substances are also impaired. In
addition to filtering out toxic materials, the lymph nodes also produce
substances which fight off invading viruses and bacteria and destroy
abnormal cells that developed within the body, such as cancer cells. In
addition to being part of the body’s plumbing and repair system, the
lymphatics are an essential part of our immune system
Clearing the lymphatic system can substantially reduce the risk of
atherosclerosis, or blockage of the arteries. Cleansing the lymphatic system allows the body to more efficiently clear
excess cholesterol out of the arteries.
That makes perfect sense, of course. One way to get rid of excess
cholesterol is to clean out the disposal pathways. It’s like draining
dirty water backed-up in your kitchen sink by unclogging the drain pipe
or using a plunger to unstop the toilet.The other way to reduce the cholesterol in the arteries, of course, is
to lower the intake of cholesterol-containing and cholesterol-producing
foods in the diet.
Lymph fluid plus the cellular fluids it is in contact with constitute
80% of body fluid. Blood supplies the remaining 20%. All nutrients and
oxygen travelling to, and all carbon dioxide and other metabolic
by-product wastes travelling from each of your billions of cells is
carried by lymph fluid. Lymph fluid can either be reabsorbed into the
blood, or be filtered by one or more lymph nodes before entering the
bloodstream.
When not working efficiently, the lymphatic system reduces the ability
for the brain and other organs to do their work. Toxins normally
filtered out and destroyed by the lymph system are offloaded onto other
organs ... overloading them. Even as happens in the intestine and colon
with poor health and nutrition habits --- stagnant lymph fluid may
contain old deposits of dead bacteria, metabolic toxins, and dead cells.
Factors influencing the lymphatic system negatively are:
overwork: lack of rest periods;
sedentariness: lack of healthy exercise;
processed foods: lack of fresh foods;
authority-based toxic shame;
chronic depression: bureaucracy;
toxic chemical-based pollutants;
energy block attitudes and behaviours;
materialism restricting spirituality.
When the lymph system becomes blocked or sluggish, an oxygen-starved,
toxic environment is created which will influence all the cells of the
body. A stagnant toxic lymph flow can produce a thickened, turbid dirty
lymph. It encourages degeneration of both cells and organs and
contributes to tumour and cancer formation. Symptoms of congestion can
include any one or any combination of the following. All of these
conditions have shown consistent improvement following lymph drainage
massage or other lymph clearing processes:
back pain;
breast congestion;
chronic bowel problems: constipation;
yeast infections;
chronic fatigue syndrome;
fibromyalgia;
skin disorders;
cellulite fat accumulations;
rheumatoid arthritis;
hormonal and emotional imbalances;
recurrent headaches;
chronic depression;
muscle and tissue tension;
chronic sinusitis, allergies;
gum disease and bad breath;
hearing, balance or sight problems;
recurrent tonsillitis, colds, ...
prostatitis;
overweight;
lupus;
haemorrhoids;
slow healing of burns, cuts, ....
A healthy lymph system produces lymphocytes which target and destroy
unrecognized cells which are assumed to be, and usually are, destructive
disease presenting germs.
Eat foods that do not
cause excessive congestion. Excessive and partially digested proteins,
highly refined foods, excessive sweets, and dairy increase lymphatic
congestion. Limiting these foods improves lymph function.
All exercise
with deep conscious breathing like Yoga, Tai Chi, Aikido, Qigong
etc. Proper breathing is the most important thing you can do for
maintaining health. There’s a wrong way and a right way to
breathe. Children breathe deeply, from their diaphragm. As we age,
however, our breathing shifts to the chest and becomes more rapid
and more shallow. Deep breathing is best. Take a few minutes each
day to practice breathing deeply. Remember, the lymph system doesn’t
have a heart to keep it flowing. It’s dependent on contraction of
the muscles and breathing. So, breathe deeply and exercise either
with the Yoga Swing or the Rebounder:
Lymphacising on a Body Energiser stimulates the
immune system and increases internal cleansing most effectively to the
cellular level. This subtle way of exercising to gravity (the natural
force of attraction exerted by earths mass) has the effect of boosting
immunity and generating a great deal of energy, while at the same time
decreasing pain, respiratory problems and join stiffness. Lymphacising
on a Body Energiser leads to an overall improvement in health, clears
the mind, relaxes the body and boosts oxygen levels. With added
advantage of energizing improving posture and enzyme activity in the
digestive system because all 12 Acupuncture Meridians, Central
Conception and Governing Vessel Meridians are self activated and
balanced.
Rebounding on a Lymphaciser is the easiest, most effective way to total
health and fitness for all ages. It uses the force of gravity to help
tone muscles, exercise joints and improve flow in the blood and lymph
systems. It's a total exercise for total fitness. It works every muscle
in the body.
Fitness jumping has been used in rehabilitative settings for over 30
years. With the REBOUNDING Program, this well-researched
technology is now available in Australia to create the ultimate
cardiovascular workout suitable for the gym, home or office.
Taught entirely on a unique spring-enhanced device, this type of
exercise allows the body to work harder, for a longer period of time,
because the body is not absorbing the shock and stress of hard-surface
workouts.
The REBOUNDING Program is accomplished by jumping only a few
inches off the surface of the fitness equipment and reduces the jarring
impact associated with other types of aerobic exercise. The Program is a
fun workout for all ages, shapes, weights and sizes.
This technique is inexpensive and can be done anywhere. It does require either a therapist or a partner for the back
half of our body, as it is relatively awkward to reach and relaxation during
the massage is a must. Lymph massage has been practiced in Europe since
the early 1930's but was not received in North America until the 1970's.
Lymph vessels are sensitive! and for effective drainage the massage of
them must be very light! Anyone who can provide a light and sensitive touch, and
this is
intensely important here, can learn a form of lymphatic massage.
Remember, this is lymph massage, not deep muscle tissue restructuring!
TO BEGIN using this technique, you are best to visit a lymphatic
drainage massage therapist. If satisfied and able to pay, you may wish
to continue using their services. If finances are a problem, observe and
sense carefully the movements and pressure and order of movements taken
by the therapist. Then practice doing it on the front part your body
until you believe your movements are synchronized with those of the
therapist.
You can also do a course eg. at the SAFE Academy in
Broadbeach.
