When was the Last Time You Drained Your Lymph Fluids?
The lymphatic system plays a very important role in the human body’s fight against disease. It’s largely made up of a network of thin tubes (filled with clear lymphatic fluid) and lymph nodes. The thymus, spleen and bone marrow also all play vital parts in the function of the lymphatic system.
The lymph nodes house the lymphatic fluid which contains lymphocytes and other white blood cells, vital components of our blood that fight infection and cancer.
If the lymph doesn’t move out of the small lymph nodes through the ducts into the liver and kidneys, it backs up. Consequently, the nodes may get infected and you will end up with swollen glands. Note that while lymph nodes are not glands, the accumulation of contaminated lymph fluids can cause various health problems.
A sedentary lifestyle is generally associated with poor health. Even if you are not a couch potato who sits in front of the TV for hours, eating junk food, having a desk job still counts as sedentary lifestyle. The lack of physical activity and exercise of any kind is not only harmful for the muscular and pulmonary health but for the lymph system, too.
Keeping the lymph fluids moving is particularly important for women who use toxin-containing deodorants and wear bras on a regular basis. The toxins found in underarm deodorants leech into the lymph nodes located in this area (underarms).
Needless to say, anyone who indulges in junk food, heavily processed food, alcohol, and soda and leads a sedentary lifestyle is “condemned” to having a compromised immune system due to the clogged lymph fluid which needs to be drained!
Methods for Moving Your Lymph Fluid
- Exercise
Another way to effectively get all your lymph nodes properly drained is to exercise! Moderate exercise that helps improve vascular circulation also promotes adequate drainage of lymph fluid, about two to three times better than not doing any exercise at all. This is because lymph flow in and out of the nodes is increased during exercise. You can try jogging, walking, cycling, or other similar exercises for at least 30 minutes, three times a week to promote proper drainage of your lymph nodes. [5]
- Massage
This method is one of the most popular ways to manually drain your lymph nodes, particularly in areas like the breast and armpit. When massaging the breast, gently make circular motions that lead away from the areola and towards the armpit, then downwards. This promotes drainage of the lymph fluid away from the nodes of the breast and axilla to the body’s vasculature. You can also apply this technique to other lymph nodes of the body. [4]
- Rebound Therapy
This last method is technically a form of exercise but warrants its own special focus as a unique and valuable drainage method. Rebound therapy is slowly gaining recognition for a variety of health benefits that range from physical to emotional. Have you ever wondered why kids instinctively want to bounce – on anything from a bouncy castle to your newly made double bed? There might be something to it… it’s really good for your health!
Through gentle bouncing or rebounding on a trampoline (or similar surface), circulation and lymph drainage is improved, aside from promoting an increased state of wellbeing. The science behind it lies with the lymph ducts’ valves. In this regard, bouncing can be likened to a more intense form of walking. When pressure is placed on the lower extremities (when you prepare for a bounce or take a step), the valves in the lymph ducts close and open when the pressure is released. When you bounce, the valves close and open more fully than walking or jogging, promoting better lymph fluid evacuation.
Many people who are into this exercise obtain a special rebounding trampoline – a portable 36″ (or similar size) mini-trampoline that allows them to get in their bounce time. It’s a great form of exercise and lots of fun – just put on your favorite music and bounce to it, what could be more awesome than that?
Source: realfarmacy.com; www.herbs-info.com
