CONNECTIONS to HEALTH

This is the eighth part in our detoxification series. You can get the previous parts here. Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 The Lymphatic System Next in the series of wellness we are looking at the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is a network of very fine vessels or tubes called lymphatics that drain lymphatic fluid from all over the body. Lymphatics are found in every part of the body except the central nervous system.  The major parts of the system are the bone marrow, spleen, thymus gland, lymph nodes, and the tonsils.  Other organs, including the heart, lungs, intestines, liver, and skin also contain lymphatic tissue. Lymph nodes are round or kidney-shaped, and range in size from very tiny to 1 inch in diameter.  They are usually found in groups in different places throughout the body, including the neck, armpit, chest, abdomen, pelvis, and groin.  About two thirds of all lymph nodes and lymphatic tissue are within or near the gastrointestinal tract. The major lymphatic vessel is the thoracic duct.  In adults it is typically 38-45cm in length with an average diameter of about 5mm. It usually begins near the lower part of the spine and collects lymph from the lower limbs, pelvis, abdomen, and lower chest.  It runs up through the chest and empties into the blood through a large vein near the left side of the neck.  The right lymphatic duct collects lymph from the right side of the neck, chest, and arm, and empties into a large vein near the right side of the neck. The Lymphatic Fluid The fluid in the vessels, often just called lymph, is composed of water, protein molecules, salts, glucose, urea, lymphocytes, and other substances. Lymph drains into the open-ended, one-way lymph capillaries.  It moves more slowly than blood, pushed along mainly by a person's breathing and contractions of the skeletal muscles.  The walls of blood capillaries are very thin, and they have many tiny openings to allow gases, water, and chemicals to pass through to nourish cells and to take away waste products.  Interstitial fluid (fluid surrounding tissues) passes out of these openings to bathe the body tissues. Lymph vessels recycle the interstitial fluid and return it to the bloodstream in the circulatory system.  They collect the fluid and carry it from all of the body's tissues and then empty it into the large veins in the upper chest, near the neck. The function of the lymphatics. The lymphatic system is also connected to every organ of the body, but its function is completely different from that of the cardiovascular system.   It is the rubbish collector, the internal vacuum cleaner sucking up metabolic waste, toxins and excess fluid from the extracellular fluid of every organ.  If this flow is impaired, the fluid becomes thick and toxic.  The parts of the body that rely on it for elimination become less efficient and sluggish as they fill with their own waste.  This otherwise life sustaining system now becomes a breeding ground for infection.  When the fluid enters the bloodstream, as is part of the normal process, infection can now spread to any organ or part of the body.  Many viruses, bacteria and parasites stay locked within the lymphatic system when these conditions are present.  The result: physical ailments, degenerative disease, hastening of the aging process, even death! Circulation The lymphatic system is not connected up to the heart, so it has to rely upon some other activity to create the necessary pumping action it needs to circulate.  The three most important methods of lymphatic circulation are external massage, muscle activity, and vigorous exercise.  The lymphatic system is filled with millions of one-way valves, which allows lymph fluid to flow unidirectionally- usually upward away from gravity.  Almost anything that can stimulate the movement of lymph fluid inside the lymph vessels of the system is healthy. Simple ways of improving lymph flow. 1. Skin Brushing The dry skin brushing routine is best carried out before a bath or shower, and for optimal results, must be done each day.  Your skin may feel tender at first, but if you continue to brush your skin on a regular basis, you will soon feel the benefits, and your skin will come to yearn the daily brush!  The entire surface of the skin should be brushed, with the exception of any broken or cracked skin, etc, and the face, which is generally regarded as too sensitive to be brushed.  It is imperative that the brushing be carried out when your body is dry - this is vital to receive the benefits - and the brush must also be kept dry, as any exposure to water will soften its bristles, depriving it of its stimulating effect. In order to maximise the lymphatic benefits of dry skin brushing, the skin should be brushed according to the locations of the two lymph plexuses.  The majority of the lymph in the body drains into the thoracic duct, located near the heart, but the lymph from the right arm, and following the line of the ribs down) drains into the right lymphatic ducts, located above the liver, under the right breast.  The skin should therefore be brushed in long, firm strokes up the legs and in towards the heart, except for the upper-right quadrant, which should be brushed down towards the liver (under the right ribcage) and the right breast.  Of special note are the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet, both of which are reflexive maps of the body, meaning that they are linked - via nerve pathways - to every part of the body, like the tongue and the eyes. 2. Deep breathing. Breathing serves as the pump for the lymphatic system, just as the heart serves the circulatory system.  Your cells must have oxygen to survive moment to moment.  To thrive, they rely on a complex exchange between the circulatory system and the lymphatic system. Blood flow carries nutrients and ample amounts of oxygen into the capillaries, while a healthy lymphatic system carries away destructive toxins.  Proper breathing is the moderator of this exchange. The expansion and contraction of the diaphragm actually stimulates your lymphatic system and massages your internal organs, helping the body rid itself of toxins, and leaving more room in the cells for an optimal exchange of oxygen. Here are two breathing exercises that will easily improve the flow of the lymph. A) A Simple deep breathing exercise The most basic thing to remember is that your breath begins with a full exhalation.  You can't inhale fully until you empty your lungs completely.  It is also important to breathe in through your nose. Try this: Sit in a comfortable position with your hands on your knees. Relax your shoulders.  On your next exhalation, breathe out slowly through your nose, counting to five.  Tense your abdominal muscles, drawing in your diaphragm to help your lungs deflate.  At the bottom of your breath, pause for two counts, then, inhale slowly to the count of five.  Expand your belly as you breathe in.  Now close your eyes and repeat 5-10 times.  Think of your diaphragm as the pump. If you find that your mind wanders during this exercise, don't worry. Just refocus on your counting. B) A Three-part breathing exercise This yoga technique is very useful during times of stress, or at any time you need to relax.  It is extremely relaxing and can be done before bed to assist with sleep issues. Again, sit comfortably and close your eyes.  With your mouth closed, exhale deeply through your nose.  Imagine that you are pouring the breath out of a jug, starting at the top of your chest and moving down through your mid-torso and into your diaphragm.  Pause for two counts at the bottom of the breath, then, inhale through your nose.  Refill the "jug" slowly, counting to five (or seven if you can make it).  Start at the bottom, expanding your diaphragm and belly, then your mid-torso, and lastly the top of your chest and lungs.  Pause for two counts and exhale as before.  Repeat 5-10 times. 3. Exercise. Exercise will pump the flow of the lymph up the body towards the thoracic duct.  One of the simplest and safest exercises is rebounding. Rebound exercise, the action of bouncing up and down against gravity, effectively stimulates the lymphatic system without trauma to the musculoskeletal system that running on hard surfaces can cause. Rebound exercisers are basically small mini-trampolines, with a surface about eight inches off the floor, which you can run or bounce on.  They have the advantage of allowing you to do something else - like watch TV, listen to music, etc. - while you're rebounding!  So it solves the weather and safety issues. As an outdoor exercise, it is really refreshing and addictive! It is very efficient at stimulating lymphatic flow due to the anti gravity effect of the bouncing.  The up and down rhythmic bouncing causes all of the one-way valves to open and close simultaneously increasing lymph flow by as much as fifteen times! 4. The Lebed Method The Lebed Method is a system of breathing and movement to stimulate the lymph. In the Lebed Method, the movement of muscles helps to open major lymphatic collecting sites and propels them to be free flowing.  Once the collecting sites have been opened, increased muscle activity in a slow, smooth, rhythmic manner moves more lymph.  Deep breathing opens the thoracic duct, the largest lymphatic collecting site in the body, located behind the lungs.  Then, gentle head movements stretch and release the skin on the right and left sides of the neck, which allows these two major collecting sites to drain.  Slow, gentle arm movements release, open, and propel lymph in the large collecting area of the axilla, or armpits.  And, side stretches move the skin over the ribs, opening draining sites within the thorax.  For more information visit- www.lebedmethod.com 5. Manual Lymphatic Drainage. Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) is an advanced type of massage in which the practitioner uses a range of specialised and gentle rhythmic pumping techniques to move the skin in the direction of the lymph flow. It was developed during the early 1930's by Dr. Emil Vodder.  He created a unique range of movements which brought relief from chronic conditions such as sinus congestion and catarrh.  For more information and a list of practitioners visit- www.mlduk.org.uk 6. CranioSacral therapy. CranioSacral therapy is concerned with improving the flow of the fluids throughout the body as well as improving the movement of the fascia. Work carried out by a craniosacral therapist can dramatically improve the drainage via the thoracic duct. Click here for more information. Symptoms Many people have badly congested lymphatics and don't even know it. In Europe stimulation of the lymph flow is the fourth most commonly prescribed medical treatment.  Most healthcare practitioners in the UK seldom consider the lymphatic system's critical role in preventing illness or its importance to the over all healing process and the elimination process.  Swollen glands, with which most of us are familiar, are symptomatic of blocked lymph nodes, which indicate a breakdown in the mechanical functioning of the lymphatic system. Other examples of congested lymphatics are: Allergies Prostatitis Chronic Sinusitis Heart disease Eczema & other skin conditions Loss of Energy Fibrocystic disease Chronic fatigue Repetitive parasitic infections M S Oedema Lupus erythematosis Inflammation High blood pressure Viral infections Puffy eyes Bacterial infections Low back pain Loss of Energy Cancer Ear or balance problems Arthritis Headaches Cellulite Excessive sweating Obesity And more! If you have any of the above symptoms then you may wish to consider improving your health by stimulating the lymph using one of the above mentioned methods.  A more thorough way of removing the symptoms and improving your well being would be to follow the Detoxification Programme so far, beginning with step one in issue 13.   Next month we will be looking at the lungs, kidney and skin.

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