Love Your Lymph This Winter: How do Massage & Bodywork Support a Healthy Immune System?
Massage and bodywork support your immune system by reducing stress (we are likely all familiar with the impact stress has on our immunity) and enhancing circulation of blood and lymph throughout the body.
Both our Relaxation and Therapeutic massage as well as MediCupping, and lymphatic drainage are incredible tools for supporting optimal circulation throughout the body. The soothing long strokes (effleurage) and kneading motions (petrissage) of Swedish massage incorporated in our Relaxation and Therapeutic sessions and the vacuum suction of MediCupping, all promote ease of movement of blood and lymph, helping your body to optimally process metabolic wastes.
Lymphatic drainage is a gentle sedating modality that focuses on promoting healthy movement of lymph throughout your body.
A Lymphatic MediCupping session uses lighter suction than our targeted cupping myofascial work, effectively opening both superficial and deeper lymphatic pathways. A Lymphatic Sweep may be incorporated using photobiomodulation (light therapy) patches to increase the impact of your immune balancing session. A lymphatic sweep is so powerful that we don't even need to be in physical contact with the body for the effects to be felt! It is not unusual to notice sensations of drainage or see a rapid reduction in edema (swelling) as these pathways open.
Lymphedema, or stagnant lymph, is often seen as swelling caused by injury, most notably after surgery or radiation where lymph nodes are removed or damaged during treatment for breast or other cancers. It can also be seen after other tissue trauma such as sprains, strains and fractures where lymph nodes or vessels are damaged, and from poor circulation due to a sedentary lifestyle or poor venous exchange. Sleep is the time that our bodies focus on detoxification and cleansing so if we are sleep deprived, it is not unusual to notice more swelling and puffiness in our tissues. Likewise, ignoring sensitivities and eating inflammatory foods as well as dehydration (lack of water and/or electrolyte imbalances) can contribute to lymphedema.
Using supportive essential oils like cypress, grapefruit and other citrus oils, ginger, geranium or lemongrass, or adding an uplifting Lymphatic Symphony of the Cells essential oil application to your session, may be just what is needed to jumpstart sluggish lymph and enhance your immunity!
The lymphatic system plays a vital role in immune response by helping to maintain appropriate fluid balance throughout the body while removing bacteria, viruses and other metabolic wastes from tissues to the lymph nodes where they are rendered ineffective by the lymphocytes (white blood cells.) This clear lymph and the accompanying debris are then directed into the circulatory system and eventually expelled via urine. This is why we suggest you come to sessions well-hydrated and avoid use of dehydrating substances such as alcohol, coffee, tea or nicotine before a session.
The increased blood flow that bodywork brings yields more efficient transport of oxygen and nutrients and of disease fighting white blood cells. Both blood and lymph circulation throughout our bodies slows down when we slow down. If these past weeks of bitter temperatures have slowed you down, perhaps it's time to love your lymph with a massage or other bodywork session!
Be Well!
References:
https://lymphaticnetwork.org/living-with-lymphedema/lymphedema/ Stanley G. Rockson, M.D., F.A.C.P., F.A.C.C., Allan and Tina Neill Professor of Lymphatic Research and Medicine, Professor of Medicine, Chief of Consultative Cardiology Stanford University School of Medicine. ©2021 Lymphatic Education & Research.
Modern Essentials: The Complete Guide to the Therapeutic Use of Essential Oils 12th Edition, ©2020 AromaTools.