Ok birds, spring is emerging TG. Sadly this winter there have been a lot of intense illnesses around. Throw in the prolonged lack of vitamin d, the mental strain of being under a blanket of cloud for four months - and this is all on top of our 'normal' stress load. It's no surprise you might be feeling less than in balanced wellness. When we are suffering from stress or dis-ease in the body we need to address the lymphatic system. Poor lymphatic drainage backs up because it is sticky, congested, or blocked, fluid from the tissues containing toxins and waste cannot enter the lymphatic system to be disposed of by the body. This back up prevents the cells from getting necessary nutrients. The body is blocked birds and needs to be flushed, just like a fish tank without any filtration.
When there is poor lymphatic drainage, the cells lose metabolic efficiency and can no longer do their job. If cells are in this state, it creates more inflammation, degenerative conditions develop, and sickness and disease occur. Effective lymphatic drainage is essential for basic tissue detoxification and is a fundamental part of any healing process.
Question time birds, does your lymphatic system need more TLC?
How do you feel physically? (tired, stiff, swollen, slow, inflamed, fatigue, muscle pain, allergies)
How do you feel mentally? (brain fog, depressed, stressed, anxious, headaches, loss of memory, reduced concentration, unmotivated)
How does your skin look and feel? (dry, acne, blemishes, rash, irritations, itchy, tingling, thick, leathery
How does your body look? (puffy, juicy, change of shape)
How do you feel your metabolism in functioning? (irregular bowel movements, stomach aches, bloating, discomfort, difficulty losing weight although you have made diet and workout changes)
How do you know if you have poor lymphatic drainage?
There are numerous signs that lymphatic fluid is not moving efficiently and that toxins are building up in your body.
Some common issues that you may have experienced include swelling of the hands and having enlarged lymph nodes in your neck when you are sick. However, there are many other symptoms that can signify a clogged lymphatic system. These include:
Soreness/Stiffness – If you frequently feel sore or stiff, you may have sluggish or congested lymph fluid. You may also have lingering pain or tightness that cannot be explained.
Headaches – Inadequate lymphatic and sinus drainage creates inflammation and pressure which causes headaches. The lymphatic system also drains cerebrospinal fluid out of the brain along with the waste byproducts which allows new fluid to be formed.
Bloating and digestive issues – The abdominal area is rich with lymphatic vessels. The lymphatic fluid from the lower body and reproductive organs connects with the digestive lymphatic vessels in the abdomen. This region has the largest node in the body and filters proteins and fats from our digestive process. Constipation and irregular bowel movements is a common symptom of congested lymph as are food sensitivities.
Fatigue/Stress – There is much controversy surrounding the cause of chronic fatigue. Chronic fatigue is known to last at least 6 months and interfere with your daily activities and social life. Repeated stress (physical, dietary, or emotional), traumatic events, inflammation, and hormone imbalances tend to be correlated with those experiencing fatigue. Those suffering from chronic fatigue and/or stress tend to have impaired lymph drainage which accumulates toxins affecting all of the body systems. Improving lymphatic drainage may be a key factor to feeling better since it is not treatable with rest.
Skin problems – Dry or itchy skin, loss of elasticity, premature ageing, acne, rashes, and many other skin conditions may suggest a sluggish lymphatic system. Approximately 70% of our lymph system resides directly under the skin and is vital for skin health.
Swelling – Swelling can occur in all or part of a limb or another part of the body. At first the swelling may come and go, it may be difficult to discover what triggers the change of fluid retention, it may get worse during the day and go down overnight. If your limbs are swollen you may experience aching, heaviness, difficulty with movement, repeated skin infections and different skin texture.
Allergies – Repeated sinus infections, worsening allergies, and an increased occurrence of head colds are signs that your lymphatic fluid is not effectively moving. When there is sinus congestion, bacteria and viruses can drain from the nasal cavities into the stagnant fluid located in the sinus cavity, causing an infection. The feeling of having a stuffy nose, congestion, and lots of mucous are symptoms of a backed up lymphatic system.
Brain fog – If the lymph fluid is not draining, toxins build up in old cerebrospinal fluid and causes you to feel exhausted, confused, and slow. Likewise, depression, anxiety, and mood swings have been tied to clogged lymphatics.
When the lymphatic system is clogged it creates swelling (edema) known as lymphedema, also known as lymphatic obstruction. Lymphedema may develop quickly, or it may develop slowly over several months. This condition can be overlooked or misdiagnosed as a weight problem or obesity.
Ok birds, so now we've got you thinking about whether your imbalances in your body may be linked to your lymphatic system let's figure out how we can get that lymph flowing.
How to move stuck lymph fluid around the body:
Exercise - swimming, resistance training, mobility - exercise promotes better circulation, allowing the lymph fluid to flow through the body better.
Diaphragmatic breathing - stimulates the paras-sympathetic nervous system and help pump the lymph fluid around your body.
MLD - Manual Lymphatic Drainage is a form a massage specific to moving the lymph.
Foam rolling - foam rolling improves circulation throughout your entire body which helps to oxygenate the blood, boost lymphatic drainage and flush toxins from the body. The roller also helps to "lubricate" the joints and reduce inflammation in the body while increasing flexibility and range of motion. It can also improve the connection to the intrinsic or core muscles; we tend to lose this connectivity with our core as we age.
We hope this opens your mind into how to bring your health and wellness into better alignment birds, detoxifying the body requires you to start with the lymphatic system - you can take all the supplements and cleanses but if you don't address your lymphatic system you are not going to the root cause. Follow our foam rolling muse here, get moving, breathing and rolling. We are launching our Rollin' foam rolling class on Monday 10th March, 12.30pm at our new indoor nest Studio One. We are looking forward to bringing you into a space of openness and an ability to move your body more freely birds.
Shani x
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