Winter is upon us, and for most of us that means increased exposure to colds and flu. It is hard to avoid as everyone huddles together against the cold, and we come into closer proximity of other people’s germs! But there are plenty of things that can be done to help boost your immune system and decrease your vulnerability to nasty lurgies.
The lymphatic system is an integral part of our immune system as it is responsible for drawing in interstitial fluid from the circulatory system, and neutralising any bacteria, viruses or other foreign nasties.
Lymphatic vessels sit very close to the surface of your body; between the muscle layer and your skin, and clusters of lymph nodes (glands) are located at certain points. You will probably be most familiar with the major ones under your jaw (sub mandibular nodes), in your armpit (auxiliary) or in the groin (inguinal).
Lymph nodes are the place where lymph fluid filters into and then any foreign bodies are destroyed. For a relatively undervalued system, the lymph works extremely hard to protect us. The lymph nodes house phagocytes and lymphocytes, which are responsible for identifying antigens in bacteria and then producing antibodies to defend against them. This is what is happening internally when your glands become swollen during periods of illness.
Sterilised lymph will then rejoin the lymphatic vessels and make its way to the right lymphatic duct or left thoracic duct, then returning to the heart to start its journey all over again.
Lymph only travels in one direction and is mostly helped along by movement of the muscles. Even inhalation and exhalation is enough to move lymph through the thoracic area. With this in mind, exercise is one of the most beneficial ways to keep lymph moving swiftly through the body.
Of course in winter, shorter days and frigid temperature makes getting out and about an unpleasant chore and we get a little more sluggish and sedentary….this is where massage can help!
In general, a massage is stimulating the muscles and encouraging veinous return through the circulatory system, but it also actively pushes lymph back to the heart. If lymph makes more journeys around the body, then it has more opportunities to pass by the lymph nodes, neutralising viruses and bacteria.
To target the lymphatic system more specifically, a manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) massage is advised. It is a much more gentle, superficial massage than you may be familiar with, but considering the lymph sits so close to the surface it only requires light touch to push it along. Deeper pressure, like that of a deep tissue massage, will flatten the lymph nodes and it will take about 20 minutes for them to puff up again and resume their activity.
MLD is gentle and slow and rhythmic and can be used as a full body treatment, or to focus on specific areas.
To experience lymphatic drainage massage contact Kristen on 0402 134 107
By Kristen Burgess.
