The Lymphatic System

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Your lymphatic system is a circulatory system and an integral part of your immune system—your first line of defense against disease and foreign invaders. It's made up of lymph nodes, lymph vessels, and lymph (a clear, colourless fluid that contains lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell).

Your lymphatic system is your first line of defence against disease and foreign invaders.

Interesting fact: There are over 600 lymph nodes in your body with the largest groupings occurring in your neck, armpits, and groin area.

Your tonsils, adenoids, spleen and thymus are all a part of this remarkable system that is designed to help rid the body of toxins, waste, excess fluid between your cells, and other unwanted material such as viruses, bacteria, toxins, dead cells, excess proteins, hormones and chemicals.

How Does The Lymph Move In The Body?

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Lymph moves through the lymphatic system in a somewhat similar way that blood flows in the veins. But while blood brings in the nutrients, the lymph takes out the trash! 

Unlike your circulatory system, which has a heart that keeps your blood flowing through your body, your lymph system has no organ that keeps the lymph fluid moving. It also flows in only one direction—up towards your neck. So how does lymph accomplish this upward climb without a built-in pump?

Contraction of the smooth muscles in the walls of the lymphatic vessels as well as the contraction of our skeletal muscles when we move are both responsible for helping the lymph maintain this one-way upward flow.

If the flow is sluggish or even clogged up, your body is unable to detoxify well:  manual lymphatic drainage is a great way to stimulate & restore a healthy lymphatic flow. 

If you have suffered damage or had lymph nodes removed, lymphatic drainage will help move the lymph and trapped fluid towards functioning lymph nodes, reducing swelling and greatly improving physical comfort.

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* Please note. There are some conditions (contraindications) that cannot be treated with manual lymphatic drainage. Contraindications happen when an increase in lymph flow would be detrimental. The physician can override relative contraindications if he or she finds good reason. Please mention any specific medical conditions to us when you make your booking so we can be sure manual lymphatic drainage will be suitable for you.

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