The proper functioning of the lymphatic system is critical to our body's ability to detoxify and regenerate tissues, filter out toxins and foreign substances, recover crucial substances that have escaped from the blood, and maintain a healthy immune system. It's a complex system comprised primarily of lymph vessels and nodes working in cooperation to accomplish these tasks.
Unlike the circulatory system, which uses the pumping of the heart to circulate its blood flow, lymph vessels rely upon hundreds of tiny muscular units (lymphangions) contracting throughout the body to propel the lymph. These contractions enable the lymph vessels to transport numerous substances (i.e., proteins, toxins, hormones, fatty acids, immune cells) to the lymph nodes, which can then process them. The action of these muscular units can be hindered or stopped, however, due to fatique, stress, lack of physical activity, emotional shock, cold temperatures, infections, substantial swelling, age, chemicals or food additives. When the lymph circulation stagnates, fluids, proteins, cells and toxins accumulate and cellular functioning is significantly compromised. This opens the way to many physical ailments and may hasten the aging process.
Lymphatic drainage is a hands-on technique designed to activate and clease the human fluid system. Its origins can be traced to two traditions in particular: the published research of Frederic Millard, a Canadian osteopathic physician (1922), and of Emil Vodder, a Danish massage practitioner and doctor of philosophy (1932). Over the years methods based on the discoveries of these two pioneers have been honed, refined and expanded. Today lymphatic drainage techniques are employed as standard scientific practice throughout Europe and continue to gain recognition in the United States - both from healthcare providers and major insureres such as Medicare.
Lymph Drainage Therapy (LDT) is an original hands-on method of lymphatic drainage developed by Bruno Chikly, MD, of France. Created out of his award-winning research on the lymphatic system, LDT takes traditional lymph drainage techniques and adds a new level of precision.
Using exacting anatomical science and distinctive manual processes, LDT enables practitioners to detect the specific rhythum, direction, depth and quality of the lymphatic flow. Recent scientific discoveries on the physiology of the lymphatic system verify that these enhancements offer the precise rhythm and gentle pressure needed to activate optimal lymph flow. As a result, therapists can achieve profound outcomes in shorter periods of time, and clients find the process more pleasurable to receive.
The LDT process involves the use of subtle manual maneuvers to aid in the recirculation of the lymphatic flow. Specifically, the therapist works with flat hands, using all the fingers to simulate wave-like movements. The pressure applied is generally around five grams, or the equivalent weight of a nickel. Using this technique, trained therapists are able to detect the specific rhythm, direction, depth and quality of the lymph flow anywhere in the body. From there, they can use their hands to perform Manual Lymphatic Mapping (MLM) of the vessels to assess overall lymphatic circulation and determine the best alternate pathways for draining body-fluid stagnations.
The Benefits Of Lymph Drainage Therapy
Due to the nature of the lymphatic system and its role in the body, LDT can prove beneficial in the correction of numerus conditions, as well as a useful tool in preventive health maintenance. This is why you'll find a wide range of practitioners using LDT. Amoung them are medical doctors, osteopathic physicians, chiropractors, dentists, nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, massage therapists, bodyworkers and estheticians.
In essence, Lymph Drainage Therapy works to activate fluid circulation and stimulate the functioning of the immune system and parasympathetic nervous system. It is shown that when these actions are accomplished, the results may be:
Reduction in edemas (swelling) and lymphedemas of many origins
Detoxification of the body
Regeneration of tissue, including burns, scars (pre- and post-surgical), wrinkles and stretch marks
Relief of chronic and subacute inflammation, e.g., sinusitis, otitis, bronchitis, acne and allergies
Reduction in the symptoms of chronic fatique syndrome and fibromyalgia
Improvement of venous conditions
Relief of chronic pain
Deep relaxation to aid insomnia, stress, loss of vitality and loss on mamory
Antispastic actions to relieve conditions such as muscle hypertonus and some forms of constipation
Alleviation of adiposis and cellulite tissue
