what is Lymphatic Drainage?
As blood circulates round the body, fluid (plasma) leaks out from the blood vessels into the surrounding tissues, carrying food to the cells and removing waste products. Approximately 90% of this fluid flows into the small veins and continues in the circulatory system. The rest drains into thin tubes called lymph vessels. The fluid, now called lymph, is carried through the lymph vessels by muscle contractions within lymph vessels, valves that prevent back flow and skeletal muscle movement, to the subclavian veins at the base of the neck where it is emptied back into the bloodstream.
Along the lymph vessels are small bean-shaped lymph glands or 'nodes'. They filter the lymph fluid as it passes through attacking any bacteria or viruses it may have picked up, making the lymphatic system a major part of the body's immune system.
How lymphatic drainage massage can help
Manual Lymphatic Drainage massage uses soft pumping movements to assist the flow of lymph through the body. A very light pressure is used as large percentage of the vessels are near, or just under, the skin. This is designed to assist the lymphatic system to cleanse the body from the inside, and can help relive areas of swelling,
AFTER YOUR TREATMENT
To gain maximum benefit from your massage spend as much time as you can just relaxing afterwards. Most people feel wonderful after a treatment, relaxed and uplifted. It is a good idea to drink water to help flush away toxins that have been released. Click here to find out about more ways in which you can assist your lymphatic system.
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