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The lymphatic system is often segregated into two parts: the surface lymphatic and the deep lymphatic. Most therapists who specialize in lymphatic drainage work with the surface system...but if the deep system is compromised it can severely impact lymph drainage at the surface of the body and cause varying degrees of muscle pain.
What is lymph? This is a question that I get asked everyday. The lymph system has three main functions: First is the returning of tissue fluid to the blood. Of the fluid that leaves the capillaries about 90% is returned. The 10% that doesn't return becomes part of the fluid that surrounds the tissue cells. Protein molecules will sometimes leak through the capillary wall increasing the pressure of the tissue fluid which further inhibits fluid returning to the capillaries. This non returned fluid tends to accumulate around the tissues. If this continues it causes blood pressure and volume to decrease and the volume of tissue fluid to increase which results in edema, also known as swelling. Lymph cells pick up the excess tissue fluid and proteins and return them to the veins. Once the fluid enters the lymph cells it is called lymph.
The second function of the lymphatic system is the absorption of fats and vitamins from the digestive system and the transport of these substances to the veins.
The third function is the immune system response. Lymph nodes and lymph organs filter the lymph to break down foreign particles as they are pushed through the lymph for removal from the body. Lymphatic organs contain lymphocytes that destroy invading organisms. In the process of a lymphatic massage mostly the surface lymphatic is drained and employed, but occasionally the deeper lymphatic access is compromised and needs to have manual help to make room for the surface drainage...giving it somewhere to go. The thoracic duct flows from the base of the neck down the mid-line of the body branching out in many directions throughout the abdominal region.
When the deep lymphatic system is not moving well...often the surface lymphatic will get "stuck" in the thoracic outlet. Sometimes I can get this moving by stimulating the area on either side of the xyphoid process and sometimes more manual draining of the liver or spleen are required to return the flow to a healing level.
While technically the organs of the lymph system include the tonsils, thymus gland and spleen, the liver has an enormous impact on lymph flow. In the liver are many lymph nodes and if the liver is congested it will often back up the entire system.
What is lymph? This is a question that I get asked everyday. The lymph system has three main functions: First is the returning of tissue fluid to the blood. Of the fluid that leaves the capillaries about 90% is returned. The 10% that doesn't return becomes part of the fluid that surrounds the tissue cells. Protein molecules will sometimes leak through the capillary wall increasing the pressure of the tissue fluid which further inhibits fluid returning to the capillaries. This non returned fluid tends to accumulate around the tissues. If this continues it causes blood pressure and volume to decrease and the volume of tissue fluid to increase which results in edema, also known as swelling. Lymph cells pick up the excess tissue fluid and proteins and return them to the veins. Once the fluid enters the lymph cells it is called lymph.
The second function of the lymphatic system is the absorption of fats and vitamins from the digestive system and the transport of these substances to the veins.
The third function is the immune system response. Lymph nodes and lymph organs filter the lymph to break down foreign particles as they are pushed through the lymph for removal from the body. Lymphatic organs contain lymphocytes that destroy invading organisms. In the process of a lymphatic massage mostly the surface lymphatic is drained and employed, but occasionally the deeper lymphatic access is compromised and needs to have manual help to make room for the surface drainage...giving it somewhere to go. The thoracic duct flows from the base of the neck down the mid-line of the body branching out in many directions throughout the abdominal region.
When the deep lymphatic system is not moving well...often the surface lymphatic will get "stuck" in the thoracic outlet. Sometimes I can get this moving by stimulating the area on either side of the xyphoid process and sometimes more manual draining of the liver or spleen are required to return the flow to a healing level.
While technically the organs of the lymph system include the tonsils, thymus gland and spleen, the liver has an enormous impact on lymph flow. In the liver are many lymph nodes and if the liver is congested it will often back up the entire system.
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