What is the Lymphatic System?
The lymphatic system is a crucial component of your immune system that helps rid the body of toxins, waste, and other unwanted materials. The lymphatic system is a network of tissues, vessels, and organs that work together to move a colorless, watery fluid called lymph back into your circulatory system, aka your bloodstream. The primary function of this system is to transport lymph throughout the body, which contains infection-fighting white blood cells. Humans have approximately 500-600 lymph nodes in the body, many of which are clustered in the underarms, groin, neck, chest, and abdomen. Drainage of the lymph doesn’t work precisely how most people would expect. The lymph drains downwards from the head to the thymus, located in the chest area, and upwards from the feet to the thymus. It’s essential for the lymph to constantly circulate and drain to fight off infections and keep your immune system strong.
What is Lymphatic Drainage Massage?
A lymphatic drainage massage is a form of gentle massage that encourages the movement of lymph fluids throughout the body. Some health conditions can interrupt the normal flow of lymph, which results in the build-up of lymph fluid in particular body areas and often causes swelling. Lymphatic drainage massage can benefit everyone but can specifically help people experiencing lymphedema, swelling or edema, skin disorders, fatigue, stress, digestive problems, migraines, and so many others. Lymphatic drainage massage is typically performed from the head to the toes, starting at the neck, moving to the underarms, then the abdomen, the groin area, the knees, then the ankles. Always directing the fluid towards the thymus. Most people will experience sinus drainage, too, due to draining the lymph.
How Can Ionic Detox Foot Baths Help the Lymphatic System?
Another great way to get the lymph flowing in the body is to get ionic detox foot baths. Ionic foot detoxes work by pulling toxins from your body through your feet. There are so many harmful substances around us all day, every day. It is essential to rid the body of those toxins, whether impurities in the air, beauty products, cleaning products, or other hazardous materials. These footbaths use electrical currents, which makes the hydrogen in the water positively charged. Water that is positively charged attracts the negatively charged ions in the body, such as heavy metals. Think of a magnet! Ionic foot detoxes trigger the lymphatic system, allowing the body to continue the detoxification process 24-48 hours after the session.
My Experience with Lymphatic Drainage Massage:
I began doing lymphatic drainage massage about a year after contracting a septic staph infection. I was sick for about six months with this infection, took about six different rounds of antibiotics, and came out of it with a fragile immune system. The year following this infection, I got sick four or five times because my immune system couldn’t keep up. No one likes being sick, I decided that it was time to take a different approach and strengthen my immune system.
I started seeing a massage therapist for lymphatic drainage and have seen her once a week for two years now. My health didn’t transform overnight, but I wasn’t frequently getting sick within a couple of months. I felt exponentially better, my brain fog went away, and my overall health and digestion improved. If you are looking for a way to strengthen your immune system naturally, this is your sign to start doing lymphatic drainage massage! We only get one body, and it’s so important to take care of it in every way that we can. Without our health, we can’t live our lives to our fullest potential.
