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Benefits of Lymphatic Drainage...

Assists Exfoliation
The outermost layer of skin cells which serve to protect the underlying skin layers are not living cells, thus, they are continuously shed and replaced via the multiplication and upward movement of living skin cells. Inactive aging skin does not shed dead cells as easily as does youthful skin, so it is susceptible to cellular build-up which accounts, in part, for the dry, thick, leathery-look of older skin. The most obvious mechanical effect of lymphatic drainage is the detachment of dead skin cells.

Stimulates Immunity
Our immune cells use the lymphatic vessels to move through every body tissue. Lymphatic drainage accelerates the filtration from the intercellular spaces into the lymph vessels. It also enhances the emptying of the smaller vessels into the larger lymph vessels assisting the flow of lymph through the lymph nodes for more effective filtration.

Stimulates circulation
Lymphatic drainage similarly increases venous blood-flow. The veins carry the blood back to the heart. Return blood-flow through the veins is not propelled as much by direct heart action as by muscular contraction and vein constriction. Lymphatic drainage excites and tonifies the muscles and nerves of the skin, thus, it improves venous circulation. These same mechanical effects directly enhance capillary circulation as evidenced by the skin-flush and feeling of warmth that lymphatic drainage imparts. The skin is filled with nerve endings which play an indispensable role in the activity of the nervous system. This explains the remarkable relaxing effect, including decreased muscular tension, elicited by lymphatic drainage. Relaxation of muscles affords better lung capacity, digestion, bowel movements, blood circulation, lymph drainage as well as clearer thinking.

Increases detoxification
By increasing the movement of lymph through filtration areas such as lymph nodes, lymphatic drainage helps to remove toxins picked up from cells and tissues and bring them to pathways for elimination.

Benefits for mature skin
Decreased sweat and oil gland functions are features of aging. The oil secreted by the sebaceous glands coats the surface of the skin and prevents excessive water-loss through evaporation. Proper lymphatic drainage stimulates both the sweat and oil glands, and in this way, contributes to the restoration of moist, supple skin. Also, it strengthens the pore structure through which the skin is moisturized and cleansed, and oxygen and CO2 are exchanged. Aging and devitalization of the skin often results in pore-enlargement and flaccidity due to loss of skin tone.

Promotes Skin Beauty
Lymphatic drainage makes a strong impression upon the dermis (the skin layer that contains an abundance of blood and lymph vessels), nerves, glands and elastin and collagen fibers. The dermis provides nutrients and moisture to all the skin layers and lends contour and flexibility. When the dermis ages, its connective tissue fibers reduce, become rigid, lose resilience and even break into pieces, causing the skin's support muscles to lose tone and volume and the skin to dehydrate and collapse into sags, wrinkles and lines. Healthy connective tissue and muscles are products of efficient nutrient support and oxygenation, a waste-free milieu, optimal water balance and moderate exercise, all of which are promoted by regular lymphatic drainage. The gentle stretching of connective tissues, afforded by proper lymphatic drainage, helps to increase and regenerate the production of collagen and elastin fibers. Cellulite is a structural disturbance of fat tissue. The fat content of cellulite-containing tissue is normal, but fibrous nodules surrounding the fat cells give affected skin areas their typical orange-peel appearance. Cellulite formation is related, in part, to local vein and lymph congestion. Proper lymphatic drainage can help to alleviate this condition.

Decongestive Lymphatic Drainage

Few of us ever think of our immune system, or the elaborate system of tubes, valves and filters that make up our Lymphatic System. Few of us, that is, until it doesn't function properly. Our immunity is working 24 hours a day, seven days a week, year in and year out. However, we don't pay attention to the little signs of low immunity or compromised immunity that we may get months before a more serious condition occurs.

Some studies show that although our lifespan is significantly longer than at any point in history, we actually are being assaulted daily by chemicals, toxins, drugs and stresses that would have killed even the strongest human at any other time. We believe that because we are so advanced, we should be able to live a long, healthy life. But the reality is very different. Studies show that infection and immune dysfunction are the strongest factors contributing to chronic disease and debilitation. Diseases that used to occur only in the elderly are occurring at alarming rates among teenagers and people in their 20's. We are sick more often and for longer periods of time. Many of us live with chronic illness. We use our immune system every day, not just to ward off bacteria, viruses and other pathogens, but also to eliminate dead cells, worn-out body tissue and toxins that we are exposed to every day of our lives. Even the use of antibiotics, oral contraceptives, antihistamines and aspirin on a daily basis can wreak havoc with our immune systems over time. Many of us are even adding to this strain by consuming exogenous hormones or antibiotics in the meat we eat.

The lymphatic system consists of a fluid [lymph] that flows through its own separate set of vessels [lymphatics] and involves several structures and organs that contain lymphatic tissue, including red bone marrow where lymphocytes are made. This complex system has a number of functions in addition to immunity and resistance. Since lymph fluid is essentially interstitial fluid that leaves the interstitial spaces and enters the lymphatic system, it provides a channel to drain excess interstitial fluid. This means that the only difference between interstitial fluid and lymphatic fluid is location. So inflammation, edema or any body swelling is simply lymphatic fluid that is in the wrong place.

The lymphatic system of vessels is very different from circulatory vessels. These lymph vessels tend to be fairly superficial and transport excess, waste-charged fluid away from the intercellular spaces and return it to the bloodstream. This superficial lymph is an essential transfer medium for vital materials to move from the blood to the cells, and for cellular debris to move away from the cellular environment into the blood. Thus, the blood feeds the lymph, and the lymph feeds the cells, making the drainage of intercellular lymph one of the most crucial of all bodily functions.

The superficial lymph vessels terminate just below the outer layer of skin and interjoin freely with the deeper lymphatic vessels. Any blockage at the superficial lymphatic level will result in congestion throughout the whole lymphatic system. These blockages are usually precipitated by too much sodium and a lack of potassium. In order to increase this lymphatic movement and remove these blockages, we provide Swiss Decongestive Lymphatic Drainage.

Decongestive Lymphatic Drainage can help to increase lymphatic movement by gently pressing lymphatic fluid through the nodes and tissues of the body. Since natural lymphatic movement relies on muscular contraction, breathing and even the muscles of digestion, there can be many times when our lymphatics may not get pumped enough. Periods of illness when we are confined to bed, sedentary occupations, poor digestive function such as constipation and even dehydration when there is just not enough water to liquefy the lymph; everyone has experienced these situations at one time or another.

In cases of HIV infection, a 1995 study done by the University of Miami School of Medicine and the Educating Hands Institute showed that the effects of lymphatic drainage included a significant increase in the natural killer cell number, a significant decrease in anxiety and an increase in relaxation.