The Importance Of Lymph Drainage For Good Health

    The proper functioning of the lymphatic system is critical to our body's ability to detoxify and regenerate tissues, filter out toxins and foreign substances, recover crucial substances that have escaped from the blood, and maintain a healthy immune system. It's a complex system comprised primarily of lymph vessels and nodes working in cooperation to accomplish these tasks.

    Unlike the circulatory system, which uses the pumping of the heart to circulate blood flow, lymph vessels rely upon hundreds of tiny muscular units (lymphangions) contracting throughout the body to propel the lymph. These contractions enable the lymph vessels to transport numerous substances (i.e., protein, toxins, hormones, fatty acids, immune cells) to the lymph nodes, which can then process them. The action of these muscular units can be hindered or stopped, however, due to fatigue, stress, lack of physical activity, emotional shock, cold temperatures, infections, significant swelling, age, chemicals or food additives. When the lymph circulation stagnates, fluids, proteins, cells and toxins accumulate and cellular functioning is significantly compromised. This opens the way to many physical ailments and may hasten the aging process.

    Lymphatic drainage is a hands-on technique designed to activate and cleanse the human fluid system. It's origins can be traced to two traditions in particular: the published research of Frederic Millard, a Canadian osteopathic physician (1922), and of Emil Vodder, a Danish massage practitioner and doctor of philosophy (1932). Over the years, methods based on the discoveries of these two pioneers have been honed, refined and expanded. Today, lymphatic drainage techniques are employed as standard scientific practice throughout Europe and continue to gain recognition in the United States- both from healthcare providers and major insurers such as Medicare.

LDT...Taking The Techniques To A New Level

    Lymph Drainage Therapy (LDT) is an original hands-on method of lymphatic drainage developed by Bruno Chikly, MD of France. Created out of his award-winning research on the lymphatic system, LDT takes traditional lymph drainage techniques and adds a level of precision consistent with recent scientific discoveries.

    Using precise anatomical science and distinctive manual processes, LDT enables practitioners to detect the rhythm, direction, depth and quality of the lymphatic flow.

    This direct perception enables them to more efficiently work on and influence lymphatic circulation. The result: profound effects achieved in shorter periods of time, and a procedure that is more pleasurable for you to receive and practitioners to perform.

How Lymph Drainage Therapy Is Performed

    The LDT process involves the use of subtle manual maneuvers to aid in the recirculation of the lymphatic flow. Specifically, the therapist works with flat hands, using all the fingers to simulate wave-like movements. The pressure applied is generally around five grams, or the equivalent weight of a nickel. Using this technique, trained therapist are able to detect the rhythm, direction, depth and quality of the lymph flow anywhere in the body. From there, they can use their hands to perform an accurate "mapping" of the lymphatic flow to assess overall lymphatic circulation and determine the best alternate pathways for draining body-fluid stagnations.

The Benefits Of Lymph Drainage Therapy

    Due to the nature of the lymphatic system and its role in the body, LDT can prove beneficial in the correction of numerous conditions, as well as a useful tool in preventive health maintenance. This is why you'll find a wide range of practitioners using LDT. Among them are medical doctors, osteopathic physicians, chiropractors, dentists, nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, massage therapists, bodyworkers and estheticians.

    In essence, Lymph Drainage Therapy works to activate fluid circulation and stimulate the functioning of the immune system and parasympathetic nervous system. It is shown that when these actions are accomplished, the results may be:

• Reduction in edemas (swelling) and lymphedemas of many origins
• Detoxification of the body
• Regeneration of tissue, including burns, scars (pre- and post-surgical), wrinkles and stretch marks
• Reduction in the symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia
• Improvement of venous conditions
• Relief of chronic and subacute inflamation, sinusitis, otitis, acne and allergies
• Relief of chronic pain
• Antispastic actions to relieve conditions such as muscle hypertonus and some forms of constipation
• Deep relaxation to aid insomnia, stress, loss of vitality and loss of memory
• Alleviation of adiposis and cellulite