Lymphatic Balancing

The lymphatic system is made up of a network of lymphatic vessels designed to collect extra lymph fluid from body tissues and return it to the blood. This process is important because water, proteins, and other substances are continuously leaking out of tiny blood capillaries into the surrounding body tissues. The drainage of this excess fluid is important to prevent painful swelling or abnormal water retention.

The lymphatic system also helps defend the body against microbes that can cause illnesses. Those germs are filtered out in the lymph nodes, which are small masses of tissue located along the network of lymph vessels. The nodes house immune cells called lymphocytes. Lymphocytes launch immune activity and create antibodies to destroy the microbes and to prevent the spread of infection.

What is Lymphatic Balancing?

Lymphatic Balancing (LB) is a hands-on therapy that uses gentle manual pumping and drainage techniques to simulate a specific wave-like movement to stimulate fluid motion and aid in the re-circulation of blood and lymph.

These subtle manual maneuvers activate lymph and fluid circulation, and stimulate the functioning of the immune system.

It is non-invasive approach that can be used to address local swelling or as a total body preventative healthcare approach for optimal wellness.

This total body approach may assist not only the lymphatic system, but also the nervous, immune, digestive, cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, and cerebrospinal systems.

Why is Lymphatic Balancing so Important?

The lymphatic system serves the body as a type of sewage system. It works tirelessly to remove waste products from our cells and to maintain purity of the internal environment of the body.

The lymphatic system filters out toxins and foreign substances, recovers crucial substances that have escaped from the blood, and helps maintain a healthy immune system. The proper functioning of the lymphatic system is critical to our body’s ability to detoxify and regenerate tissues.

The lymphatic system is an integral part of our immune system as it helps to defend the body against pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi. The system supports immunity by making and storing lymphocytes that produce antibodies that defend the body against disease.

If the lymph circulation stagnates due to injury or infection, toxins accumulate and cellular metabolism is significantly compromised. The result is an increase in acid and toxins within the tissues causing pain, tension, and edema. These substances, along with the edema, need to be removed quickly from the interstitial fluid to promote proper tissue healing and restore proper pain-free movement.

What Should I Expect?

The treatment will be performed directly on skin when possible. Your practitioner may use draping or ask you to arrive in appropriate clothing. LB will begin with an evaluation, which will guide the treatment, and will help to measure change and progress. The practitioner uses gentle, rhythmic mobilizations of the arms, legs, head, neck, and torso based on the evaluation. The length of the session may vary from 30-90 minutes and frequency of treatment will be based on the recommendation of your practitioner. You will typically feel decreased pain and swelling, as well as an increase in relaxation, energy, and mobility.

Who Can Benefit From Lymphatic Balancing?

The gentle and highly effective nature of LB makes it ideal for many people.

Infants to elderly
Sedentary to athletic
Preventative care to acute traumas
Post-surgical to chronic conditioned

Lymphatic Balancing has been shown to help:

Reduce edema and lymphedema (primary, secondary, and post-surgical)
Regenerate tissue, including burns and wounds
Detoxify the body
Decrease acute and chronic pain
Release muscle spasm and decrease joint pain
Reduce symptoms of fibromyalgia
Decrease headaches
Recovery after stroke and head injuries
Reduce symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome
Increase function after sports injuries
Induce deep relaxation to aid insomnia, stress, and loss of vitality
Increase circulation for amputees

If you have any specific questions regarding whether this is the appropriate treatment for you, please call our office and ask for Becky she is the massage therapist who performs this service. 715-358-0423