Most people understand that massage is relaxing and feels great. However, most people are not aware of the health benefits provided by massage therapy. Consumers have long suspected that massage helps promote a healthy and balanced lifestyle. As research demonstrates the effectiveness of massage therapy, more consumers are seeking massage to improve their overall wellness and health. Lymphatic massage can do that.
The lymphatic system is an intricate arrangement of vessels, ducts, and nodes that move fluid between the cells and tissues. Its primary responsibilities are filtering the body of toxins, carrying disease-fighting material to cells attacked by germs, transporting dead germs away and supplying protein-rich plasma fluid back to the heart.
As blood circulates through the body, exchanges of nutrients, wastes, and gases occur between the blood and interstitial fluid. Our blood pressure forces fluid out of the blood through the walls of the arteries. Any remaining fluid becomes part of the interstitial fluid and must be carried back to the blood if the vascular system is to have sufficient blood volume to operate properly. Within the lymphatic capillaries, there are one-way valves that ensure the continued flow of the lymph away from the tissues and back to the cardiovascular system. Proper performance of the lymphatic system plays an essential role in body defense and resistance to disease.
Because the lymph system has no pumping mechanism to keep the fluid moving throughout the body, this crucial asset to the body’s balance is always at a higher risk for blockage. If fluids continue to enter the tissue with no way to depart a build-up occurs. What results is a condition known as lymphedema. The accumulation of protein in the tissues causes excess fluid to enter and these areas to swell. As a result, oxygenation of the tissues decreases, interfering with their normal functioning, and cause affected areas to heal more slowly than normal. Your...