How to detoxify, boost immunity, and support your well-being through a well-functioning lymphatic system.

By Cortney Goodstadt, DPT, AFMHC – Certified Functional Medicine Health Coach

The lymphatic system is a complex network of tissues, vessels, and organs that play a vital role in maintaining the body’s overall health and immune function. It works in close coordination with the circulatory system to transport a fluid called lymph throughout the body. The lymphatic system is responsible for filtering out waste products, toxins, and pathogens, while also helping to regulate fluid balance.

The lymphatic system has several key components that work together to facilitate its functions. These include lymphatic vessels, lymph nodes, spleen, thymus, tonsils, and adenoids.

While it may not get much attention, the lymphatic system is vital in maintaining overall health and well-being. One of the primary functions of the lymphatic system is waste management. It collects and transports excess fluid, waste products, cellular debris, and toxins from the tissues back into the bloodstream for elimination. This is crucial to maintaining a healthy fluid balance and preventing the buildup of harmful substances in the body.

The lymphatic system is intimately connected with the immune system. Lymph nodes, present at various points along the lymphatic vessels, serve as hubs for immune cell interaction, helping to detect and fight off infections, pathogens, and foreign substances. They act as a vital line of defense, safeguarding the body against illness and disease.

The fluid that circulates within the lymphatic system is known as lymph. It contains white blood cells, proteins, fats, and other substances necessary for immune function and tissue nourishment. But unlike the blood that has the heart for a pump, lymphatic fluid is only propelled by rhythmic contractions of muscles, movement, and breathing throughout the body.

Therefore, lymphatic fluid is pumped into the body only when the fascia moves. As it travels around the body, the fluid collects cellular waste and toxins that need to be eliminated from the body. The body eliminates waste through the bowels, urine, breath, blood (menstruating women) and sweat. This means the body must move to stay healthy!

The lymphatic system is like a highway of health, helping to clear away waste, toxins, and inflammation from the body. It is a vital system that deserves attention and support for overall wellness. But just like your car’s oil filter, if it hasn’t been changed or cleaned recently, it will get clogged, lessening the efficiency of potentially every system in the body.

Warning Signs of a Sluggish Lymphatic System

So how do you know your lymph may be sluggish or clogged?  Some common symptoms of stagnant lymph are: Persistent swelling, Fatigue and Low Energy Levels, Recurrent Infections, Brain Fog and Cognitive Issues, and Digestive Issues.

In today’s world, every body on the planet is challenged with keeping their lymphatic filter clean! We must make a diligent effort to live a lifestyle conducive to assisting our lymph instead of asking our lymph to work harder due to modern conveniences.

Movement is a MUST for lymphatic health:

You can support optimal lymphatic flow and prevent stagnation by incorporating specific movements and exercises into your daily routine to stimulate lymphatic circulation. The best choices are walking, rebounding, yoga, arm swings, and breathing exercises.

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Eight Practices to Promote Optimal Lymph Flow

• Relax – Get Parasympathetic

The toxic load will overcome us if we don’t engage our parasympathetic system more frequently. We must allow the body to recover, regenerate and drain to enhance the flow of our lymphatics. There are many ways to assist the body: breath practice, yoga, manual relaxation like massage, acupuncture, walks in the woods, and the ocean.

• Dry Brushing

Dry brushing is one of the best ways to keep your body healthy and smooth. It’s an excellent way to remove dead skin cells, improve the skin’s appearance (including cellulite), and promote cell renewal and lymph flow.

• Drink More Water

Well-hydrated cells are necessary for the lymph to remove the “trash.” Of course, always provide the body with only the purest water you can, as it is counterproductive to add water to the trash. We are asking it to help take out the lymphatics.

• Castor Oil Packs

Castor oil can, unlike other oils, penetrate through the upper layer of the skin. When applied externally over specific body areas, these packs can help improve circulation, reduce inflammation, and promote detoxification.

• Manual Stimulation Drainage Therapy

My favorite drainage exercise that you can do at home is the Big 6 technique.

• Vibration Platforms

Vibration machines produce mechanical vibrations that travel through the body, forcing your muscles to contract. These muscle contractions help by strengthening bones, improving circulation, and increasing blood flow. They increase the flow of lymphatic fluid through the lymphatic vessels, which helps remove toxins and waste products from the body.

• Epsom Salt Baths

Epsom salts aid the lymphatic system due to their high magnesium levels, a mineral known for its anti-inflammatory properties. In combination with the natural diuretic quality of mineral salts and the water temperature, Epsom salt baths have been shown to stimulate lymph circulation in the body.

• Saunas

The deep penetrating heat of infrared saunas aids the body’s natural process, allowing it to flush out toxins and, in turn, prevent a buildup of excess foreign bodies in the lymphatic system.

Functional Medicine and Lymphatic Health Treatment in Monmouth County, NJ

At Fusion Integrative and Functional Medicine, we offer expert guidance on improving lymphatic health through natural healing methods. If you’re experiencing signs of lymphatic stagnation or want to learn more about improving your lymphatic health, contact Certified Health Coach Cortney Goodstadt. She offers personalized treatment plans that include dry brushing, lymphatic drainage therapy and more.