The Lymphatic System Explained: How to Keep Your Body’s Detox Pathways Flowing
The Lymphatic System – simply put!
The lymphatic system is a network of pathways laid throughout the body. To visualize it, picture a grandiose old tree with all its branches or its intricate root system below ground.
This pathway carries fluid. Fluid that contains waste from our body’s natural metabolic processes and toxins that invade our body, from within the body and from external sources such as the air we breathe; the lotions we apply and the things we ingest.
When our bodies are in dis-ease, the fluid becomes murky and thick. When this happens, the movement of this fluid slows. As a result, dis-ease worsens. The pathways get blocked. Dis-ease worsens still.
There are only 3 ways to move this thick fluid:
- Manual lymphatic therapies performed by a certified lymphatic therapist
- Diaphragmatic breathing
- Movement of your body; ideally in the same direction the fluid would flow
The Lymphatic System – more in depth!
Residing along the pathway of the lymphatic system there are nodes. To visualize these, picture kidney shaped beans that you may put in grandma’s chili recipe.
These nodes act as filters. As the thickened fluid moves through each node, it becomes cleaner (and thinner too). Once it has travelled along its pathway, it returns to the circulatory system as clean and usable plasma to go through the course again. What does not get completely filtered is voided from the body.
There are approximately 600 of these nodes throughout the body working to filter the fluid from toxins and waste products. One of the largest nodes in the body will be found in the abdominal cavity; its name is cisterna chyli. The second and third largest nodes are found (one) behind each ear lobe. These are known as your posterior (behind) auricular (around the ear) nodes.
What does it mean if my lymphatic fluid is thick or my pathways are blocked, congested or sluggish?
It means that your body is holding on to toxins and waste. Holding on to toxins and waste brings inflammation and dis-ease.
What does dis-ease of the lymphatics look like?
- Acne
- Allergies
- Arthritis
- Bloating
- Blood clots
- Brain fog
- Bronchitis
- Cancer
- Chronic earaches/clogged ears
- Common cold/flu/covid
- Constipation
- Cuts slow to heal
- Cysts
- Dehydration
- Difficulty losing weight
- Digestive issues
- Eczema
- Edema
- Endometriosis
- Enlarged lymph nodes
- Fatigue
- Fibroids
- Fibromyalgia
- Headaches
- Hormone imbalances – including cortisol, PMS, perimenopause, menopause
- Irritable Bowel Syndromes (Colitis; Crohn’s; Diverticulosis/litis)
- Inflamed tonsils
- Intake of chemical pollutants
- Itchy skin
- Joint pain/joint effusion (swelling)
- Kidney disease
- Long Covid
- Lymphedema
- Muscle stiffness
- Obesity
- Pain
- Polycystic ovary syndrome
- Poor sleep quality
- Post-nasal drip
- Puffiness
- Rashes
- Rosacea
- Scar tissue
- Sinus congestion or infections
- Sore throat
- Stress
- Swelling (of joints or extremities)
- Tendonitis
- Tinnitus
- Upper respiratory issues
- Varicose veins
- Vertigo
- Wound healing (slow to heal)
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