Don’t Forget Your Lymphatic System in the Prevention of Disease!

The lymphatic system is a very important component of the immune system that hasn't been given the attention that it deserves. In fact I have clinical physiology books that barely even mention it - so I want to bring it to your attention today. Running parallel to the body's blood system (arteries and veins) from the feet to the neck, the lymphatic system includes the lymphatic vessels and organs (lymph nodes, the thymus gland, spleen and tonsils). The blood system and the lymphatic system have a symbiotic relationship yet we generally do not hear as much about the lymphatic system as we do the blood system.

In the body there is a fluid known as interstitial fluid that is contained within the interstitium or space between the cells. This interstitial fluid enters into the lymphatic vessels and becomes a fluid known as lymph. The lymph flows upward throughout the body’s lymphatic system. But, instead of having a pump like the heart to push it throughout the lymphatic system, as blood is pumped throughout the blood system, the lymph is moved through the lymphatic system by muscle contractions. These muscle contractions move the lymph to the lymph nodes where it is filtered by cells called macrophages that function to eliminate bacteria, cellular debris and other foreign particles. Additionally the lymph nodes house B lymphocytes which are white blood cells that can detect the presence of viruses, bacteria, yeast and other microbiologic organisms and then initiate antibody production.

The condition of your lymphatic system is a key indicator of your overall health and the ability for your body to heal itself. It is very important that your lymphatic system be functioning properly in order for you to have excellent health and prevent disease. But increasingly our environment is becoming more toxic which causes our lymphatic systems to need to work harder to filter and eliminate waste. This along with poor diets and sedentary lifestyles can cause blockages in the lymphatic system that can lead to pain, swelling, illness and disease.

In 1932 Emil Vodder PhD and his wife Estrid Vodder, ND developed a technique that is known today as Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD). This technique incorporates very gentle circular massaging with varying degrees of pressure to the skin around key areas of the lymphatic vessels throughout the entire body. Dr. Emil Vodder believed in treating the whole person and said, “If one part is sick the whole human being is sick.” This special technique gently massages and stimulates the lymphatic system to help clear any blockages and toxins that have built up in the lymphatic system. Within a very short amount of time after treatment, blockages in the lymphatic system can be removed leading to reduced pain and swelling and an increase in the lymphatic system’s ability to filter, cleanse and fight off microbiologic invaders.

If you have chronic infections, skin conditions such as acne, allergies, headaches, fatigue, arthritis, sports injuries, circulatory problems, auto-immune system diseases, lymphedema or cancer, MLD treatments with a Dr. Vodder trained specialist could be very beneficial to you. MLD can also be beneficial for pre-and-post surgery and of course is for anyone who would like to maintain optimal health and well-being.

I personally see a MLD specialist. Sessions are always amazing, relaxing and I feel great afterwards. Most notable is how energized and happy I feel after such a caring and healing massage therapy session. If you would like more information on MLD you can contact the Dr. Vodder International School and they will help you as well as help you locate a MLD specialist in your area.

Now that you know how important your lymphatic system is to your health it is up to you to keep it flowing! Make it an important part of your daily lifestyle to move your body with some form of exercise and to reduce the amount of toxic foods and chemicals that you are ingesting. Additionally incorporate MLD therapy into your overall health prevention plan. A healthy lymphatic system is key to optimal health and the prevention of disease - so don't forget it!

If you would like some help reducing your exposure to chemical toxins and other harmful ingredients as well as learn to improve your health and the health of your family nutritionally please contact me.

If you would like to create a more vibrant and healthy life and need personal support and assistance to help you get started, please contact me today! I can help you 866-330-5421. Services are provided nationally via telephone sessions. In person sessions are currently available for those living in the East Texas area!

Thank you very much for reading my blog and please continue to visit often.

I wish you good health, happiness and love!

Danielle

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