What is Your Lymphatic System and Why Could It Benefit from a Lymphatic Massage?
Your lymphatic system is a critical component of your overall health and wellbeing, but not many people know what it is or what it does. Your lymphatic system is a major component of your immune system function, and it works in conjunction with your circulatory system. It is essentially the “sewage system” that removes fluids that seep from our blood vessels and rids the body of harmful toxins. A lymphatic massage or lymphatic drainage massage is an excellent way to make sure that it is doing its job and working optimally to reduce illness and expedite the healing process.
What is a Lymphatic Massage?
In the age of COVID being so prominent in our daily thoughts, never before have we been so focused on preventative health to reduce the risks of illness. A lymphatic drainage massage is an excellent way to boost your immune system so it is working optimally. It uses targeted massage methods to help relieve swelling and allows your lymphatic system to foster a healthy immune response to fight infection.
What is Lymphedema?
Lymphedema is a condition that causes a build-up of fluid in the body that your lymphatic system can’t keep up with. When your cardiovascular system sends blood to your organs and tissues, lymphedema can happen if your lymphatic system is compromised or not working as well as it should. The fluid that remains is usually carried out by your lymphatic system, which collects it and cycles it to your heart via lymph nodes and lymph vessels. If something is blocking or disrupting the cycle, lymph nodes can collect in your extremities, making things uncomfortable and leading to swelling and pain.
How Does a Lymphatic Massage Help?
A lymphatic massage is where a massage therapist can use various techniques to foster the lymphatic system to move fluids as it is supposed to and alleviate pain and swelling. Some of the conditions that symptoms might be alleviated by lymphatic massage are:
- Lipedema
- Fibromyalgia
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Chronic venous insufficiency
A Lymphatic Massage Isn’t Just About Your Lymphatic System
Although the main goal of a lymphatic massage is to target and foster the wellness of your lymphatic system, massage in general will help to decrease pain, alleviate overall edema, and have positive effects on your mood. By relieving stress both physically and mentally, it will help your immune system in many ways. Your body is negatively affected by stress and strain, which are all things that can be helped through massage.
Is Lymphatic Massage or Lymphatic Drainage Massage for You?
Massage is a great tool for many health conditions and to keep your immune system in excellent working order, which is more important now than ever. If you are experiencing pain and swelling in your lymph nodes, it is important to seek medical care to diagnose what might be causing it. If your doctor gives you the go-ahead, then massage might be a great way to boost your lymphatic system and immune system while having positive effects on your cardiovascular system.
As we head into the post-COVID era, we have all learned the importance of self-care and taking steps to reduce infection and foster improved health. Massage is one tool that, when incorporated into your wellness routine, can have many positive effects on your mind, body, and soul. Schedule your appointment for a lymphatic massage in Augusta today!