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The "Other" Circulation System.
THE SPACE between our body cells is thought to occupy up to 18% of the mass of the body. Lymph fluid, a usually colorless liquid, containing plasma proteins, bacteria, and waste collects in these spaces . The lymph system is responsible for circulating this lymph fluid into the bloodstream. Lymph flows slowly upward through the body to the top of the chest at a rate approximating 3 quarts per day.
LYMPH COLLECTS, is filtered in, and then passes from nodes within the system. Some nodes are located just above the bend in the elbow. 20 to 30 large nodes are clustered deep within the underarm and upper chest regions. Lymph from the legs and genitals collects in and drains through a large collection of nodes in the groin. Lymph fluid also flows down from the head through the neck. Lymph from the nose, lips, and teeth drain through lymph nodes in the floor of the mouth. Other nodes are found in the tonsils and adenoids. This is a one-directional flow. You can view diagrammatic representations of the lymph system by clicking your computer mouse pointer left button on this LINK.
The lymph system has been little recognized nor researched until the latter half of this century. Indeed, in 1900, the structure and action of the lymph system remained largely undefined. Even within the past 10 years, most students would not have gained an awareness that organs such as the tonsils, adenoids, thymus, and spleen were part of the lymphatic system. Nor would they have learned that the lymph system is often the first line of immunological defense against harmful bacteria, toxin concentrations and oxygen starvation of one's cells.
WHEN NOT WORKING EFFICIENTLY, the lymphatic system reduces the ability for the brain and other organs to do their work. Toxins normally filtered out and destroyed by the lymph system are offloaded onto other organs ... overloading them. Even as happens in the intestine and colon with poor health and nutrition habits --- stagnant lymph fluid may contain old deposits of dead bacteria, metabolic toxins, and dead cells. Yet many of the factors influencing the lymphatic system negatively have largely been culturally introduced --- or highly encouraged, since the advent of industrialization:
- overwork: lack of rest periods;
- sedentariness: lack of healthy exercise;
- processed foods: lack of fresh foods;
- authority-based toxic shame;
- chronic depression: bureaucracy;
- toxic chemical-based pollutants;
- energy block attitudes and behaviors;
- materialism restricting spirituality.
Just how important is the lymph system?
Lymph fluid plus the cellular fluids it is in contact with constitute 80% of body fluid. Blood supplies the remaining 20%. All nutrients and oxygen traveling to, and all carbon dioxide and other metabolic byproduct wastes traveling from each of your billions of cells is carried by lymph fluid. Lymph fluid can either be reabsorbed into the blood, or be filtered by one or more lymph nodes before entering the bloodstream.
CELL DEBRIS AND PROTEINS which are too large for the bloodstream to transport can be carried by the lymphatic system. However, these larger particles may result in a build-up of lymph fluid in an attempt to enlarge lymph vessels and permit their passage. This can result in water retention and swelling. The lymphatic system also transports fats from the digestive track to the blood. Its ability to provide a site for white blood cells to attack viruses and bacteria is well demonstrated in diseases such as mumps, lupus, arthritis, and cancer.
WHEN THE LYMPH SYSTEM BECOMES BLOCKED or sluggish, an oxygen-starved, toxic environment is created which will influence all the cells of the body. A stagnant toxic lymph flow can produce a thickened, turbid dirty lymph. It encourages degeneration of both cells and organs and contributes to tumor and cancer formation. Symptoms of congestion can include any one or any combination of the following. All of these conditions have shown consistent improvement following lymph drainage massage or other lymph clearing processes:
- back pain;
- breast congestion;
- chronic bowel problems: constipation;
- yeast infections;
- chronic fatigue syndrome;
- fibromyalgia;
- skin disorders;
- cellulite fat accumulations;
- rheumatoid arthritis;
- hormonal and emotional imbalances;
- recurrent headaches;
- chronic depression;
- muscle and tissue tension;
- chronic sinusitis, allergies;
- gum disease and bad breath;
- hearing, balance or sight problems;
- recurrent tonsillitis, colds, ...
- prostatitis;
- overweight;
- lupis;
- hemorrhoids;
- slow healing of burns, cuts, ....
The lymph system produces lymphocytes which target and destroy unrecognized cells which are assumed to be, and usually are, destructive disease presenting germs.
Options for Lymphatic Health.
GETTING BETTER -- STAYING BETTER.
If a great many chronic and some acute diseases can be encouraged and developed through the dysfunction of one's lymph system, how can one maintain and regain better health --- improve the efficiency of the lymph system? Here are a few options. They will only be reviewed briefly here and several good references will be provided. For each of these, there are websites, manuals, courses and therapists-instructors. What is important here is your awareness of WHY such exercises, lifestyles, and processes are effective.
FIRST, the list:
- Dry brush massage;
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Manual lymphatic drainage
http://www.vodderschool.com/mld1.htm;
- Showering with non-chlorinated water;
- Yoga
- Tai Chi Ch'uan and
Aikido
http://www.nol.net/~jeffh/aikiclub/docs/advfaq.txt;
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Qigong and Taiji
http://www.healthy.net/library/articles/qigongandtaiji/lymph.htm
- Electro-Lymph-atic Therapy.
Lymphatic Activity: a balance of movement and rest.
NO LYMPH PUMPS !
Humans are the only known animals which have a lymphatic system and no lymph pumps. We know that our blood circulation system is propelled by our heart and that in such a way it automatically functions ... usually with little consideration or care from us.
WHY PROBLEMS ARISE.
First, realize that modern North Americans spend the majority of their day either standing or seated. There are few rest breaks for lying down, walking, or planned gentle rhythmic sensual movement. Second, lymph fluid must largely move uphill from the lower part of the body to veins under the shoulder blades where it dumps into the blood stream through a thoracic duct. This is all against gravity and without a pump. So how does it go uphill?
SOURCING OUR SUPPLY.
When we eat nutritious food and exercise aerobically, we introduce oxygen into our body. At the cellular level, this oxygen is used in a metabolic process which produces energy and water. The water adds to the circulating blood plasma. This allows metabolic wastes, bacteria and nutrients to be diffused out of the cell into the lymph system. Lymph fluid is continuously produced in this manner. Pressure builds in each section of lymph vessel as new fluid is received from the cells.
VALVES ARE THE KEY TO ANTI-GRAVITY !
Remember, the lymph system is like a pipe with only one way valves in it. Each separate section is like a branch. As the pressure builds in each "branch", a threshold capacity point is reached. At that time the vessel section spontaneously contracts and forces the excess fluid into the next lymph chamber along the system. As the system only has one-way valves, the lymph fluid cannot flow back. The originating section of lymph vessel now relaxes and receives more lymph fluid from the surrounding cells. But this is only half of the story.
HOW YOU BREATHE CAN HELP THE FLOW.
Body movements and positions can also assist in moving the lymph up from the body or down from the head to the two thoracic ducts over the heart. Most systems of meditation and many forms of martial art reference the breath as their focal point.
Lymphatic Massage: A Lighter Touch.
THIS TECHNIQUE IS INEXPENSIVE and can be done anywhere private, clean, and warm. It does require either a therapist or a partner for the back half of our body is relatively awkward to reach and relaxation during the massage is a must. Lymph massage has been practiced in Europe since the early 1930's but was not received in North America until the 1970's.
WE OWE MUCH OF OUR AWARENESS of lymph massage to the work of Dr. Emil and Estrid Vodder who were practicing physical therapist in France in the 1970's. Through their research an innovation they developed a systematic system of treatment for the whole body which they termed "Manual Lymph Drainage." Later, they established the Dr. Vodder Center in Denmark and began teaching their method throughout Europe. More information is available about the history, system and courses at the Dr. Vodder School website.
THE BODY HAS TWO DRAINAGE - CIRCULATORY SYSTEMS to remove toxins (metabolic byproducts and environmental garbage) from our cells: blood and lymph fluid. Lymph vessels are almost like blood vessels in their distribution through the body. Unlike blood vessels, they carry an almost clear liquid through vessels as small as silk thread. Nodes, that is an enlargement, in the vessels are sites which provide a filtering benefit: they remove toxins and introduce antibodies. Lymph nodes are concentrated in the neck (up to 40% of total), the armpits, pelvis, chest, and behind the knees.
LYMPH VESSELS ARE SENSITIVE, by their size, and for effective drainage the massage of them must be very light. This is a particular challenge for men who are strong and muscular and/or have been mentored by their society to respond in harsh, forceful, strong, aggressive, and insensitive touching actions as a supposed demonstration of their "manliness". Not very constructive. Most men can acquire a sensitive touch and this will convey a greater sense of individual awareness to him. Anyone who can provide a light and sensitive touch --- and it is intensely important here can learn a form of lymphatic massage. Remember, this is lymph massage, not deep muscle tissue restructuring!
TO BEGIN using this technique, you are best to visit a lymphatic drainage massage therapist. If satisfied and able to pay, you may wish to continue using their services. If finances are a problem, observe and sense carefully the movements and pressure and order of movements taken by the therapist. Then practice doing it on the front part your body until you believe your movements are synchronized with those of the therapist.
IF YOU HAVE A SPOUSE OR HIGHLY TRUSTED CLOSE FRIEND, you may wish to verbally guide them in providing you with the massage. Then, if they are willing and interested, return the favor for them. Two healthy persons is better than one. This will not be acceptable practice for those who have paid large sums and spent much time to become professional therapists. However, for individuals who are health concerned, short of capital and hypersensitive --- those who survive have long since learned that taking the initiative of self-responsibility and doing something for oneself is better than doing nothing and getting nothing.
FOR A HYPERSENSITIVE PERSON, such an attitude of self-directedness, self-esteem, and self-motivation together with personal action and a willingness to help others can be the difference between life and death. It usually IS the difference between lifelong chronic disease and good health.
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