Recently I spent four information-packed days learning the first level of lymph drainage therapy (LDT1), a program developed by Dr. Bruno Chikly and presented by the Upledger Institute. Over the course of three posts, I want to share some of the basics:

1. lymph and the lymph system

2. benefits of and contraindications for LDT

3. what to expect during & after a session

The lymph system is a very important component of the immune system. The fluid (lymph fluid) that moves through the system starts from the watery environment outside of tissue cells where cellular waste accumulates. After leaving this area (the interstitial environment), the lymph fluid carries the waste products – including dead cell fragments, proteins, lipids (fats), immune cells, hormones, and junk your body doesn’t use (like food coloring or preservatives) – through a series of vessels.

These vessels gently move the lymph through lymph nodes where the fluid is filtered and concentrated (some of the liquid is reabsorbed by the body). This is also where toxins can be captured and destroyed by the immune cells. The lymph fluid is eventually dumped into the the circulatory system near the heart. From here it is mixed with the blood and circulated to the organs of elimination. You then release the waste products and toxins from your body by urinating, sweating, etc.

When lymph tissues are damaged – by injury, disease, or even some disease treatments (radiation, surgery)- their ability to clear their interstitial areas of waste can be compromised. Cells, in a sense, begin to drown in their own waste which can cause toxicity, edema (swelling), and pain.

LDT helps improve lymph flow by stimulating the lymph vessel contractions. The treatment improves the strength and speed of these contractions. In the next post we’ll look at some of the many, many conditions which can be improved by the use of LDT. Stay tuned…

Tags: Injury/Surgery Recovery, Lymph Drainage, Pain Relief

This entry was posted on Tuesday, September 16th, 2008 at 5:13 pm and is filed under New Developments, Unusual Suspects. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.