Lymphatic drainage

What is the lymph?

Lymph is a fluid that accumulates in the space between cells. It is formed when this fluid, which contains the waste products of cellular processes, is introduced into the lymph vessels. This is the beginning of the lymph circuit.

The lymph thus collected must be cleaned and taken to the centre, to the heart. From here it will be further distributed to the lungs and kidneys and reintroduced into the bloodstream.

If the lymph is not refreshed or purified, it becomes acidic, giving rise to acidosis. In the acidic environment, many cells die or mutate, leading to various chronic diseases and even cancers.

How does lymph circulate?

Lymph moves through our body thanks to the lymphatic system. It is our body's gigantic drainage system and most important immune system. Lymph does not circulate in a closed circuit, but travels from the periphery to the heart.

This system is made up of three major elements: lymphatic organs, the network of lymphatic vessels and lymph.

It operates in a low-pressure regime and needs muscle contraction acting on the lymph vessels to move the lymph. So the contraction of our muscles moves the lymph, there is no other pump. This is why the gentle pressure on the lymph vessels during lymphatic drainage massage is particularly beneficial for lymph circulation.

People who are sedentary and have poorly developed muscles also have poor lymph circulation. The lymph constantly rises antigravity from the legs towards the heart. But how well our body manages to do this is shown to us by swollen legs, water retention, fatigue or low immunity.

That's why, when our feet feel swollen, it means our lymph is stagnating. It is then advisable to do some exercise, a lymphatic drainage massage or at least to sit with our feet higher than heart level to facilitate the circulation of lymph in the body.

But how do you clean the lymph?

Through the lymph nodes. Another important part of the lymph system is the lymph nodes. They are small, bean-shaped structures 1-25 mm long. There are about 600 of them and they are divided into two categories: superficial (located in the groin, axilla and neck region) and deep lymph nodes (located in the pelvis, lungs and along the aorta).

The lymph vessels run from the periphery to the lymph nodes, which filter and clean the lymph, preventing bacteria, cancer cells and other infectious agents from entering and circulating in the body. The purified lymph together with the blood nourishes the cells.

We can say that the lymph nodes are real purification stations of our body. By gently and rhythmically pressing on them during the lymph drainage massage, their functioning is greatly improved.

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When should we do a lymphatic drainage massage?

It is recommended at the beginning of any treatment of lymphatic oedema, it is beneficial in the treatment of obesity, in the treatment against cellulite, we can even say that it is the best anti-cellulite massage. But the most advisable is to do lymphatic drainage massage during detoxification cures.

We should mention that lymphatic drainage is forbidden in cancers of any type, in infectious diseases, dermatological diseases or major diseases of blood vessels or heart. In this case lymphatic drainage should only be carried out on the recommendation of a doctor. Leukaemia and epilepsy are also major contraindications for lymphatic drainage.

Importance of lymphatic drainage

In order for the lymphatic system to perform its function, we need to care for it carefully and listen to its signs. When the lymphatic system is not working properly, our body cannot eliminate toxins; it cannot fight diseases caused by viruses, fungi and bacteria; it cannot regulate the amount of fluid in the tissues.

For optimal health we need to keep this system in good working order with clean and moving lymph. To avoid allergies, inflammation, cellulite, oedema, puffy eyes in the morning, cold hands and feet, autoimmune diseases and infections of all kinds, don't forget to clean the lymph!

This cleansing can be done in many ways, both physical and dietary, but we recommend cleansing your lymph with a lymphatic drainage massage!