How The Lymphatic System Works

How the Lymphatic System Works

The lymphatic system is one of the least understood yet crucial systems in the human body.  It is a complex network of vessels and lymph nodes located throughout your body and works as part of your immune system.

The purpose of this system is to carry lymph fluid, which is essential for the disposal of wastes and excess fluids in our bodies. Hence, it is an important line of defense in fighting infection (since it is rich in white blood cells).

In addition to the lymph nodes and vessels, the spleen, tonsils, and thymus are also part of the lymphatic system.

The blood is responsible for delivering oxygen, hormones, and nutrients to our cells and collecting wastes from the body. This exchange takes place through the interstitial fluid that surrounds the cell.

About 90 percent of this fluid is returned back to the circulatory system as blood in the veins. The 10 percent fluid that is left behind is the lymph fluid, which travels throughout the body with the help of lymph vessels and collects waste and excess fluid from the lymph nodes. These nodes also consist of lymphocytes or special white blood cells that kill disease-causing pathogens.

The lymph fluid in the body can flow in a single direction, which is upward towards the neck. It then re-enters the circulatory system and relies on muscle contractions to move through the lymph vessels.

There are an average of 600 -700 lymph nodes in the body, the largest of which are focused in the neck, armpits and groin regions. These work together in harmony and ensure that only clean lymph is transferred back to the venous system, which carries the blood towards the heart.

Intrinsic Value of the Lymphatic System

The lymphatic system works to sustain healthy immunity, drain waste products and stagnant fluids, regenerate tissue, and detoxify the body at a cellular level by filtering out toxins and foreign agents.

 When we sustain an injury in our muscles, ligaments, tendons, or other soft tissues, fluid collects in the tiny spaces that erupt in between the damaged tissues. This fluid is called edema and is part of the natural healing process of the body, which ensures the delivery of nutrient-rich fluid to the injured tissue to accelerate healing.

The recovery time can significantly decrease when we optimize removal of stagnation and provide nutrients, via improved circulation, for the damaged tissue to heal. 

However, when there is an issue with our lymphatic system, our body is susceptible to various ailments, including inflammation, which may or may not be seen as swelling in the trunk, limbs, face, and anywhere else. This is a result of edema and lymphedema.

When this happens, toxins and waste products get accumulated in the body, compromising its immunity and leading to several physical disorders and quickening the body’s aging process.

Edema and Lymphedema

Edema is the body’s natural response to inflammation or injury and is caused by fluid from the damaged blood vessels released into the neighboring tissues. When this fluid does not drain properly and accumulates, it causes swelling in your tissue.

Edema is mostly water and has a soft and squishy texture like from a sprain or strain.

On the other hand, lymphedema is another condition caused by damaged or removed lymph nodes due to an infection or cancer treatment. The weakened lymphatic system is able to pull out the excess water but is unable to do the same for the heavy protein molecules that get left behind and result in swelling.

Both edema and lymphedema can lead to various issues, including:

● Slow recovery of injuries

● Slow tissue regeneration

● Chronic fatigue

● Stress, depression, insomnia, and loss of vitality 

• Depression of immune system

Benefits of Manual Lymphatic Drainage 

As you can see, the lymphatic system can become congested and result in stagnation easily. Lymphatic drainage is said to effectively clear the system and enable it to work properly again.

Lymphatic drainage massage is a form of bodywork, a gentle whole-body massage therapy that specifically targets the lymphatic system beneath the skin.

By using gentle rotations and pumping motions in the right direction of lymph flow, we encourage the detoxification process and help the system eliminate waste products.

Reduced Inflammation and Pain

Lymphatic drainage massage has been proven to reduce inflammation and pain by draining edema, mobilizing the stagnant fluid, and boosting the body’s lymph and blood circulation.

Detoxification

A noteworthy benefit of MLD is that it detoxifies the body. By stimulating the lymphatic system, therapists can facilitate clearing cellular waste, including toxins, dead cells, foreign agents, and excess fluid from the tissues.

Tissue Regeneration

MLD assists in reducing inflammation, edema, and lymphedema and helps to boost essential oxygen and nutrient supply to the tissues. This is due to the lymphatic drainage massage’s cleansing capabilities that boost oxygen and nutrient supply by clearing the path to the tissues.

Aside from these main benefits, lymphatic drainage therapy is also beneficial in case of various other health problems. These include:

● Rheumatoid arthritis: Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease that results in joint swelling and pain, loss of joint mobility, and change in skin color. As the disease progresses, it leads to poor lymph flow. Lymph drainage therapy can help to ease these later-stage arthritis symptoms by opening up the lymph pathways and reducing swelling.

● Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI): This disorder is caused by an issue in the walls and valves of the leg veins. This makes it hard for the blood to make its way back to the heart. With lymphatic drainage therapy, therapists can speed up the flow of blood by improving the performance of the femoral artery, resulting in reduced pain and inflammation.

● Fibromyalgia: This is an inflammatory condition of the skin nerves that results in tissue swelling and skin discoloration. Lymphatic drainage massage has been shown to reduce stiffness and improve the quality of life for people with fibromyalgia.

It is important that you receive treatment from a trained professional. Lara Henderson has over 24 years of experience in integrative bodywork and healing arts. Her lymphatic drainage therapy can help activate your body’s lymphatic fluid circulation and stimulate the functioning of the immune system.

Schedule an appointment today to create a refreshed you!