These six tips are straightforward and easy to try if you want to detox your lymphatic system.
The lymphatic system is a large network of lymphatic vessels, lymph nodes, lymphoid organs, lymphoid tissues, and lymph fluid. Approximately six hundred bean-shaped lymph nodes are scattered in clusters throughout the body, with heavy concentrations around the inguinal, axillary, and cervical regions.
Lymphatic flow can easily become backed up due to lack of movement, tension, dehydration, and poor nutrition. If the lymphatic system becomes backed up, circulation is impeded causing many symptoms such as sinus congestion, low energy, and muscle or joint stiffness. Of course, an increased visibility of cellulite also occurs if the lymphatic system is not draining properly.
As Deane Juhan states: “Stagnancy breeds pestilence.”
Photo credit: FRG
As we can see in the photo, a healthy river flows without interruption and it is never the same water that runs twice in the same spot. However, when a river is not healthy, and comes to pool, you have water that is stagnant for weeks.
Our bodies are similar, with many passages for blood, nerves, and lymph passing through the many layers of skin, fascia, and muscles. If tension persists, adhesions start to form, and our fluids begin to back up like the stagnant water. The result of this accumulation leads to inflammation, which is just one reason the gliding ability of our fascia is very important.
Let’s find out how to keep this gliding ability optimal!
Six Straightforward Ways to Detox Your Lymphatic System
1. Massage Therapy
This is always at the top of my list because I love massage therapy. With spring in the air, it’s a perfect time to detox your lymphatic system with a massage!
A lymphatic drainage is good to reduce tensions and adhesions, which reduces stuck fascia, water retention, inflammation, cellulite, and heavy legs. This promotes better blood flow and lymph flow to improve the appearance of smooth skin.
The use of essential oils aids in the detoxification during a massage. I have been using an uplifting aromatic blend of essential oils in my lymphatic drainage massages every spring for many years now. If you have not tried it yet, just ask upon your reservation or when you arrive at your appointment… It’s FREE! (Please refrain if pregnant, nursing, or allergic to essential oils).
Furthermore, if you would like to know more about stuck fascia and are able to study at home, check out my online course: An Introduction to Fascia Therapy, only on Udemy.
2. Dry Brushing or Guasha
Our lymph nodes can be stimulated and cleared through dry brushing or using a Guasha tool. They reduce the appearance of cellulite by softening and redistributing fat deposits more evenly throughout the body. You will want to start at the soles of your feet using a swift upward motion or stroke, continuously up the legs, your abdomen, arms, chest, neck, and face. Brush each area for about 2 – 3 minutes each until your skin is a slightly rosy, indicating new circulation at the surface.
3. Exercise: Specifically walking, yoga, and rebounding.
Walking and yoga improve the gliding ability of our fascia, which helps flush toxins and other waste from the body. However, rebounding on a trampoline, or other jumping exercises like jumping jacks or skipping rope, which involves a soft bouncing effect, is 3x more effective at draining the lymphatic system. The soft bounce stimulates our dense connective tissues like collagen and elastin, and energizes the lymphatic system, leaving you feeling as light as a cloud.
4. Hydration and Proper Nutrition
The amount of water we drink and the number of whole foods we eat also determines fascial hydration. Whole foods provide nutrients, vitamins, and minerals to all our cells, whereas processed and junk foods are antinutrients because they reduce mineral, vitamin, and absorption availability, leading to increased inflammation throughout the body. Aim for high quality protein, omega 3’s, fruits and vegetables every day. Be sure to ditch boxed items like chips, cookies, cereals, and avoid seed oils.
5. Hot and Cold Exposure
Saunas and cold showers or baths have a pumping effect on our circulation, which increases communication between cells, repairs damaged cells, and flushes out metabolic waste through our sweat and breath. If choosing to do a hot-cold circuit, it is recommended to end with cold for maximum metabolic benefits. If you've never done these before, try it once a week for a month and build up to more.
6. Breathwork
Speaking of breath, breathwork exercises such as box breathing or alternate nostril breathing, known as Nadi breathing in yoga, helps keep all systems in the body and mind to function well. Poor breathing reduces the efficiency of our lungs, and with less oxygen available to our cells, it slows down the flow of blood and lymph. Mindful breathwork can help encourage lymph flow and keep everything moving. We must remember to breathe!
These methods are straightforward and easy to try. There is no magic pill, cream, or potion that will improve an entire system in the body overnight. It takes time and dedication, but working on ourselves shouldn’t be viewed as a chore, rather a priority.
Regular dry brushing, hydration, movement, and lymphatic massages can help us all to keep our lymphatic systems breathing and flowing effortlessly, like a river.