Everyone’s aware of the lymphatic system and lymphatic drainage but how much do you really know about this key function our bodies perform? Despite being incredibly important, we didn’t know about this system until the 17th century! Thankfully, in 2023, we know a lot more about it, how it impacts our lives and how we can improve how this fascinating natural process works. Keep reading to learn more about everything related to your lymphatic system.
What Does The Lymphatic System Do?
Also known as the lymphoid system, the lymphatic system is a network of tiny vessels that drain fluid. It works as part of the immune system in collaboration with the circulatory system to move fluid away from tissues into the bloodstream, help to fight infection, and remove waste products that our cells make. The development of lymphatic tissues occurs during the first trimester of pregnancy, around the end of week 5, but until a child is born, they will be protected by its mother’s immune system. These tissues continue to grow until an individual hits puberty. After this point, development slows down considerably.
Most tend to associate this part of the body with lymphatic drainage alone, which is mainly due to the fact that the results of poor drainage are quite common. Symptoms include:
- Prevent muscle aches
- Unexplained weight gain
- Frequent headaches
- Digestive concerns
- Skin conditions or frequent colds
It’s important to note that blocked lymphatic flow doesn’t inherently mean you have a condition such as lymphoedema, which is a chronic condition that causes swelling predominantly in the arms and legs. If you fear you are suffering from lymphoedema, it’s best to consult your GP to confirm a diagnosis.
When the body’s built-in drainage system doesn’t work as it should, it renders it unable to fight against infection and inflammation, however, it wasn’t until 1936 that doctors realised how useful manual lymphatic drainage could be to their patients.
Manual Lymphatic Drainage
Almost 90 years ago, Danish doctors, Emil and Estrid Vodder started treating people suffering from chronic colds and other similar conditions. They soon realised that they all had one thing in common – enlarged lymph nodes. They started to manually massage these patients in an attempt to improve their symptoms before teaching the technique to other professionals across Europe. Manual lymphatic drainage needs to be done with a fair amount of pressure in circular movements to successfully stimulate lymph (residual fluid) flow.
Often recommended to those with rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, or those who find themselves getting slower with age, manual drainage can be really helpful for some but much quicker and more effective methods are available at Light Touch Clinic in the form of our Body Ballancer® suit.
Tried And Tested Technology
We make lymphatic drainage easy thanks to our Body Ballancer® suit, which uses 24 overlapping chambers to apply incredibly precise amounts of pressure. This pressure mimics the impact of circulation, encouraging any toxins to be flushed out. This process improves immune function, speeds up weight loss and can decrease the impact of any bloating caused by poor drainage.
Approved by the FDA, we use this innovative technology to make sure our patients feel their best. If you want to find out more, please use this contact form to get in touch with our knowledgeable team of experts. You can find out more about our products and services on our Facebook and Instagram profiles too!
