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Heal Your Whole Self.
Massage: Lymph Drainage Therapy
The proper functioning of the lymphatic system is critical to accomplishing drainage of stagnant fluids, detoxification, regenerating tissues, filtering out toxins and foreign substances and maintaining a healthy immune system. (Asdonk, 1970, Adair and Guyton, 1982). It is a complex system made up of lymph vessels and nodes working in cooperation.
Unlike the circulatory system which has a pump, the heart to circulate its blood flow, lymph vessels rely upon hundreds of tiny muscular units (Lymphangions) contracting to propel lymph flow. The action of these muscular units can be hindered or stopped due to surgery, trauma, burns, infections, significant swelling, fatigue, stress, or age. When lymph circulations stagnates, fluids, proteins, cells and toxins accumulate, and cellular functioning is compromised (Adair, Guyton, 1982). This can open the way to many physical ailments and hasten the aging process. Lymphatic drainage is a hands on technique to attain and sustain proper functioning of the human fluid system.* These techniques are employed as standard scientific practice throughout Europe and continue to gain recognition in the United States, both from healthcare providers and national insurers as Medicare.
LDT enables therapists to detect the specific rhythm, direction, depth and quality of the lymphatic flow. As a result, therapists can achieve profound outcomes in shorter periods of time. For clients, the experience is very pleasurable and induces deep states of relaxation.
Lymph Drainage Therapy works to help re-circulate body fluids, stimulate functioning of the immune system, and promote a state of relaxation and balance within the autonomic nervous system. When these actions are accomplished, the results may be:
- Reduction in edemas (swelling) and lymphedmas.
- Detoxification throughout the body.
- Re-generation of tissues (e.g. after burns and pre-post-surgical scarring) and anti-aging effects.
- Relief of chronic inflammation and conditions such as allergies.
- Immune system stimulation for preventive and therapeutic effects.
- Reduction in the symptoms of chronic fatigue syndromes and fibromyalgia.
- Relief of chronic pain.
- Deep relaxation to aid insomnia, depression, stress, loss of vitality, and loss of memory.
- Antispastic actions to relieve conditions, such as voluntary or involuntary muscle hypertonus.
- Alleviation of adipose and cellulite tissue.
Information extracted from:Lymph Drainage Therapy: A Hidden Key to Health and Longevity The Upledger Institute, Inc., 1996. Rev 9/03
*Bruno Chikly, M.D. D.O. (Hon.) is the creator of this method. It was created out of his award-winning research on the lymphatic system and adds a new level of precision in keeping with the latest scientific discoveries and exact anatomical science.