Despite my healthy life span, I have found myself quite frustrated in recent years when I would fall ill with colds, flu, sinusitis, etc. relatively frequently.
A few months ago I started massaging my lymph nodes as part of my morning routine and everything changed.
We live in a world where we are constantly exposed to toxins; in food, air, medications, chemicals in the home, creams we apply to our skin and the lymphatic system is the one that helps us get rid of these toxins.
The lymphatic system protects us from infections and diseases.
It filters various toxins and balances the fluids in the body, so if we get out of balance, it is the first to respond.
It is a critical system for the immune system as it protects us from infections and diseases. If our lymphatic system is clogged and congested, it cannot protect us effectively and we become more susceptible to infections and diseases, so keeping our lymphatic system flowing smoothly and free of congestion is extremely critical to our overall health and well-being.
The main function of the lymphatic system is to maintain a balance in our body’s fluid levels, while protecting against infections, bacteria, cancer and other potential threats.
It is a network of blood vessels and glands that work together to transport fluids from our tissues to the bloodstream and vice versa, making it the body’s internal drainage system.
When we come into contact with bacteria or toxins, they make their way into our body and into the lymph fluid. Once the lymph fluid makes its way to our lymph nodes, these organisms are trapped and our immune system can attack and destroy them. Inside the lymph nodes, these harmful organisms are filtered and white blood cells are formed to protect our body.
How does congestion occur in the lymphatic system?
Chronic stress is one of the main causes of most chronic health problems. It can also lead to congestion in the lymphatic system. When we are under stress, our bodies produce stress-fighting hormones and produce waste products in the form of free radicals that can lead to a variety of health problems.
Chronic illness can lead to congestion in the body’s lymph system. When the body fights chronic infections and bacteria, it creates more white blood cells to fight them and they can end up filling our lymph nodes, as a backup to the system and thus creating swelling. (That’s why you may experience pain the first few times you get a massage).
Another cause of congestion in the lymphatic system is an imbalance in the digestive system; an overload of toxins, bacteria, an imbalance in the good bacteria and damage to the intestinal lining (leaky gut).
Most of the lymphatic system surrounds our intestines with lymphatic tissue, so our gut health is essential for lymph flow, detoxification and immune system function.
A lack of adequate water intake and lack of exercise can cause lymph fluid to slow down. Our lymphatic system relies on pressure from muscle movement and breathing to move the fluid. A lack of this pressure due to a sedentary lifestyle or chronic dehydration can cause the lymphatic system to slow down and cause congestion. Finally, Nutrient deficiencies – essential nutrients, can also lead to lymph congestion. Iodine, magnesium and vitamin C are especially important for mitigating the harmful effects of environmental toxins and supporting our lymphatic system in protecting our bodies.
So let’s summarize what causes fatigue and lymph congestion:
Chronic stress
Acute or chronic infections of bacteria, viruses, fungi or parasites in the digestive system
Intestinal dysbiosis – an imbalance in the composition of good bacteria
Toxin buildup
Dehydration
Sedentary lifestyle – lack of movement
Nutritional deficiencies (nutrient deficiencies)
Lymph congestion can affect the entire body, symptoms of lymph congestion may include:
Fatigue, chronic fatigue, weakness
Muscle stiffness
Muscle and joint pain, fibromyalgia
Swelling and fluid retention, weight gain, cellulite
Breast swelling during menstruation
Dry and itchy skin, skin problems, skin infections
Brain fog, memory problems
Headaches
Swollen glands
Chronic sinusitis, colds, chronic runny nose, sore throat or ear problems
I want to focus on a way that is really comfortable for me to improve the functioning of the system, which is massage/drainage of the glands. What is called, Lymphatic drainage, massage to drain the lymph fluid helps the cells release toxic accumulation and help flush excess fluid in the tissues.
How do I do it? There are all kinds of ways and forms to massage the glands, some do gentle actions and some drum on the body and massage it hard.
Choose what feels right for you.
Which areas are massaged?
The ear area, behind and below towards the neck
The collarbone, above and below it
The armpits
The inside of the elbow
The abdomen
The inside of the knee
The groin
In the picture below, the red dots are the main lymph points and there are also many videos online. I suggest you experiment regularly every morning and see if anything improves. If you also want to delve deeper into healing the digestive system through nutrition and thus improving the functioning of the lymphatic system, I invite you to a Stomach Laws course.
