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Our lymphatic system is a complex system of vessels and nodes that span across our entire body. Its primary role is to protect us from outside threats such as infection and disease. Also known as “the drainage system”, excess fluid and waste products are removed from the body via our lymphatics. One way to make sure our lymphatics are working optimally is to have manual lymphatic drainage, exercise and keep to a healthy weight range.
The lymphatic system includes your spleen, thymus, lymph nodes and lymph channels, as well as your tonsils and adenoids. It helps to drain fluid (referred to as lymph) that has leaked from blood vessels and redirects this back into the circulatory system. Lymphatic circulation relies on local pressure and contraction of the larger lymphatics, as it doesn’t contain a pump.
The thymus gland is a soft, roughly triangular organ that sits inside the ribcage behind the breastbone. Its function is critical to healthy immunity as it is the location where specialised immune cells, called T-cells, mature. Once mature these cells circulate around the body to respond to foreign invaders such as bacteria, viruses and fungi.
The lymph nodes act as a filtration system to destroy unwanted substances so that clean lymph can circulate to other areas of the body. In our body we have around 600 bean-shaped lymph nodes located on lymphatic vessels, particularly near the groin and mammary glands.
While lymphatic nodules sound similar to lymph nodes they differ in their location. They are composed of lymphatic tissue which are found on the connective tissue of mucous membranes in the respiratory system and digestive tract. Lymphatic nodules may appear singularly or as a group such as the tonsils.
The spleen is a large oval-shaped organ located near the stomach and under the diaphragm.
It plays multiple supportive roles in the body such as:
The spleen and thymus hold special white blood cells called lymphocytes. These can rapidly multiply and release antibodies in response to bacteria, viruses, and a range of other stimuli from dead or dying cells and abnormally behaving cells such as cancer cells.
There are a variety of issues that can arise from an improperly functioning lymphatic system due to infection, disease or damage, including:
Glandular fever—usually caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and includes symptoms such as a sore throat, fever, swollen glands, and fatigue.
Tonsillitis—infection of the tonsils in the throat.
Crohn’s disease—an inflammatory bowel disorder.
Hodgkin’s disease—a cancer that affects the lymphatic system.
Lymphoedema—damage or malformation of the lymphatic system that results in uncomfortable swelling in the arms or legs. This can be present at birth or due to damage from surgery or radiotherapy associated with cancer treatment. If the swelling only lasts for a short period, it is called oedema. If it lasts longer than three months, it is called lymphoedema.
When the lymphatic system becomes overly stressed this can also result in frequent infections or viruses, fatigue, muscle aches and pains, arthritis, swelling in lymph nodes, constant sore throats, and cancer.
Lymphatic drainage involves the manual stimulation of the interstitial fluids of the body, to return built-up wastes and excessive fluid to lymphatic sites. A trained therapist will use relaxing strokes with varying degrees of pressure, ideally all over the entire body but paying particular attention to the chest, neck, pelvis, armpit, abdominal and groin area.
Although most people can benefit from a lymphatic massage, it’s most helpful in people who experience:
Moving your body is the best way to improve circulation of fluids and nutrients reaching your cells. This is especially important if you’re overweight as this has been found to impair the function of the lymphatic system. Examples of activities could include trampolining, walking, cycling, HIT exercises or yoga. Refraining from smoking and keeping to a healthy weight range are also beneficial to the health of your lymphatics.
An overdose of toxins from eating the wrong foods and exposure to chemicals in the environment can overburden the lymphatic system.
It’s ideal to eat foods that are close to nature (not refined or overly processed) and free from artificial chemicals. This provides the body with loads of antioxidants that reduce inflammation, support healthy immunity and enhance the body’s natural detoxification pathways. Avoid harmful chemicals around the house that are commonly found in cleaning products, perfumes and cosmetics.
Lymphatic herbal medicines stimulate the flow of lymphatic fluid or improve lymphatic drainage to enhance detoxification. One of the best-known lymphatic herbs is echinacea which has additional properties that benefit the immune system.
Other herbs which are traditionally used for lymphatic congestion or stagnation include calendula, poke root, cleavers and wild indigo. They are best used medium to long term for greatest results and caution should be exercised in patients with cancer of the lymphatic system.