| Our bodies are incredible. Every day we are | | | | our bodies to cleanse itself of bacteria. |
| constantly being attacked by bacteria, pollution, viruses | | | | An easy exercise to help move the lymph fluid, is by |
| etc. Luckily we have our own defense system to deal | | | | taking a good deep breath in for the count of 5 |
| with this. Most people call it the immune system, it's real | | | | seconds, hold it for 20 seconds and then release for 10 |
| name is the lymph system, and it's amazing | | | | seconds. Do this 10 times, 3 times a day and flood |
| Lymph comes from the Latin word lympha, meaning | | | | your body with oxygen and energy. We have to |
| "clear water." | | | | breathe all day long so why don't we learn to do it |
| As quoted by Marcelle Pick OB/GYN/ NP "Think of a | | | | properly and also make it work for us. |
| river: a healthy river runs clean and clear. A brackish | | | | Another way to help the lymph system is with |
| river chugs along, thick with soot and silt that gets | | | | massage. Massage moves the lymph fluid around the |
| snagged, pocketing pollution in small pools along the | | | | body, again assisting in the cleansing process. There |
| way. Eventually, the sluggish river will become a | | | | are many forms of massage including lymphatic |
| breeding ground for bacteria and disease. The same is | | | | drainage. Lymphatic drainage massage is a |
| true for your lymph." | | | | wonderfully therapeutic deep- tissue massage |
| This truly incredible system is a network of organs, | | | | treatment. This practice uses thumb pressure and long, |
| nodes, fluid, ducts, vessels and tissues that produce | | | | gentle, rhythmic strokes to increase lymphatic flow and |
| and transport lymph. The nodes are strung along the | | | | really help to eliminate toxins from the body. As with |
| lymph vessels like pearls knotted on a string. Did you | | | | acupressure or shiatsu, the pressure during the |
| know that there is 3 times more lymph fluid in the body | | | | treatment is quite powerful and can really relax and |
| than there is blood. Lymph fluid is a clear, slightly yellow | | | | relieve the muscles. Lymph is so important in keeping |
| fluid that flows around the body, carrying white cells | | | | the immune system working properly that improving its |
| and antibodies to the tissues and organs. This system | | | | flow and drainage around the body is helpful in many |
| assists in the production of white blood cells. These | | | | ways. |
| cells search for, grab and destroy bacteria and | | | | As a consequence of modern unhealthy and |
| remove them from the body. | | | | unforgiving lifestyles, we are continually putting toxins |
| Unlike the heart the lymph system does not have its | | | | into our bodies through bad diet, pollution, excess |
| own pump. It moves through the system in the right | | | | alcohol and too much sugar. Boosting the lymphatic |
| direction because of the large number of valves that | | | | system helps to flush all the toxins away and keep the |
| permit fluid flow only in one direction. Most of the flow | | | | body healthy. Lymphatic drainage massage can also |
| is against gravity or "uphill". This movement is due to | | | | help the body fight infection and speed up healing and |
| breathing movements and skeletal muscle contractions. | | | | recovery from illness. It reduces water retention, |
| Exercising and proper breathing helps the lymph fluid | | | | boosts weight loss and can even be an effective |
| move around the body. Proper breathing is when the | | | | treatment for cellulite! Manual lymph-drainage is used in |
| diaphragm is extended on an inward breath. Imagine | | | | the treatment of lymphoedema. |
| your lungs are like a triangle. Most people breathe in | | | | Rejuvenating your lymph system. Your lymph system |
| and only inflate the top of their lungs, which means | | | | is there to keep you body in the best condition. It does |
| their chests inflate. Learn to breathe properly and | | | | this non-stop 24 hours a day 365 days a year and for |
| extend the belly (diaphragm) on an inward breath. This | | | | the rest of your life. |
| will fill the whole lungs with oxygen, which in turn, helps | | | | |