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Lymph Drainage Therapy
The proper functioning of the lymphatic system is critical
to our body’s ability to detoxify and regenerate tissues,
filter out toxins and foreign substances, recover crucial
substances that have escaped from the blood, and maintain
a healthy immune system. It’s a complex system comprised
primarily of lymph vessels and nodes working in cooperation
to accomplish these tasks.
Unlike the circulatory system, which uses the pumping of
the heart to circulate its blood flow, lymph vessels rely
upon hundreds of tiny muscular units (lymphangions) contracting
throughout the body to propel the lymph. These contractions
enable the lymph vessels to transport numerous substances
(i.e., proteins, toxins, hormones, fatty acids, immune cells)
to the lymph nodes, which can then process them. The action
of these muscular units can be hindered or stopped, however,
due to fatigue, stress, lack of physical activity, emotional
shock, cold temperatures, infections, substantial swelling,
age, chemicals or food additives. When the lymph circulation
stagnates, fluids, proteins, cells and toxins accumulate and
cellular functioning is significantly compromised. This opens
the way to many physical ailments and may hasten the aging
process.
Lymphatic drainage is a hands-on technique designed to activate
and cleanse the human fluid system. Its origin can be traced
to two traditions in particular: the published research of
Frederic Millard, a Canadian osteopathic physician (1922),
and Emil Vodder, a Danish massage practitioner and doctor
of philosophy (1932). Over the years, methods based on the
discoveries of these two pioneers have been honed, refined
and expanded. Today lymphatic drainage techniques are employed
as a standard scientific practice throughout Europe and continue
to gain recognition in the United States – both from
healthcare providers and major insurers such as Medicare.
How Lymph Drainage Therapy is performed
The LDT process involves the use of subtle manual maneuvers
to aid in the re-circulation of the lymphatic flow. Specifically,
the therapist works with flat hands, using all fingers to
stimulate wave-like movements. The pressure applied is generally
around five grams, or the equivalent weight of a nickel. Using
this technique, trained therapists are able to detect the
specific rhythm, direction, depth and quality of the lymph
flow anywhere in the body. From there, they can use their
hands to perform Manual Lymphatic Mapping (MLM) of the vessels
to assess overall lymphatic circulation and determine the
best alternate pathways for draining body-fluid stagnations.
The Benefits of Lymph Drainage Therapy
Due to the nature of the lymphatic system and its roles in
the body, LDT can prove beneficial in the correction of numerous
conditions, as well as a useful tool in preventative health
maintenance. This is why you’ll find a wide range of
practitioners using LDT. Among them are medical doctors, osteopathic
physicians, chiropractors, dentists, nurses, physical therapists,
occupational therapists, massage therapists, bodyworkers and
estheticians.
In essence, Lymph Drainage Therapy works to activate fluid
circulation and stimulate the functioning of the immune system
and parasympathetic nervous system. It is shown that when
these actions are accomplished, the results may be:
- Reduction in edemas (swelling) and lymphedemas of many
origins
- Detoxification of the body
- Regeneration of tissue, including burns, scars (pre- and
post surgical), wrinkles and stretch marks
- Relief of chronic and subacute inflammation
- Reduction in the symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome
and fibromyalgia
- Improvement of venous conditions
- Relief of chronic pain
- Deep relaxation to aid insomnia, stress, loss of vitality
and loss of memory
- Antispastic actions to relieve conditions
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