LYMPHATIC Massage
It is a gentle massage, which aims to stimulate the natural drainage of the Lymph, which directs the tissue substances towards the heart. The lymphatic system depends on the internal contractions of the smooth muscle cells in the walls of the lymphatic vessels (peristalsis) and the movement of skeletal muscles, which move the lymph through the vessels to the lymph nodes. Then from these nodes it goes to the lymphatic channels, which return the lymph to the cardiovascular system.
° Lymphatic Vessels:
The lymphatic vessels perform an extraordinary job, which covers every inch of the skin and surrounds every organ in detail. Lymphatic vessels start from very small ones, which are called Lymphatic Starters. Over 70% of the primary lymphatic vessels are in, and just under, the skin.
The initial lymphatic vessel has a very delicate structure, one cell thick. These cells are interwoven with a connective tissue of Collagen and Elastine, which help to position them in place. When intercellular pressure increases due to fluid build-up or skin tension, the ligaments distort the original lymphatic wall, opening it up.
Then the fluid created in the intercellular spaces flows into it and begins to move along the channel. At this point we start calling it Lymph.
And because only 2-3 liters of lymph is filtered by the lymphatic system per day, it is important because it helps to remove proteins, which are in too large quantities to return to the capillary walls.
The removal of proteins is essential since they are filled with water and their occurrence in the interstitial space causes swelling or edema. Lymph vessels also collect dead cells, waste products, bacteria, viruses, inorganic substances, water and fats.
By performing precise lymphatic drainage massage, we can accelerate the opening of the initial lymphatic vessels and increase the lymphatic flow / circulation 20 times. But if we push hard, the initial lymphatic vessels will close, reducing the lymphatic flow. Excessive pushing can also tear the ligaments that hold the original lymphatic vessels. Therefore, strong pushes have the opposite effect in the area of ​​edema
After lymph enters the primary lymphatic vessels, it moves to a larger vessel, called the primary collector, and then to even larger vessels, called the collecting duct. The collectors have a diameter of 100-600 microns. These vessels have only one-way valves every 6-20 mm, which allow lymph to move in only one direction. Therefore when you perform lymphatic massage, the movement is only in one direction.
The part between the one-way valves is called the Lymphangion. Lymphangions consist of a thin layer of muscle, which twists around itself in the form of a spiral. Angion means "heart", so it is really considered a pump that pushes the Lymph. Each Lymphangion has an internal traction sensor. When its walls are stretched by filling with Lymph, the sensor tells the muscles to contract. This spiral muscle contraction "squeezes" the lymph into the other "chamber".Thus the Lymphangion swells, contracts, pushing the liquid into the line (channel). At the same time the Lymphangions push the lymph forward, but also creates a vacuum behind it. Once the Lymphangions begin to contract, they cause a chain reaction or wave of contractions, which begin to push and pull lymph through the body. In this way, stimulation on one side stimulates lymphatic flow on the other side.
Other factors that aid lymphatic movement are skeletal muscle contractions, respiration, arterial pulsation, and the ability of angios to contract independently of stretch receptors. The effectiveness of the lymphatic drainage massage lies in its ability to activate the stretch reaction, which significantly increases the pulse rate of the Angions, thus increasing the lymphatic circulation through the vessels.
° Nodes / Lymphatic Glands:
Eventually, all lymphatic vessels lead to lymph nodes. Lymph nodes can be as small as the tip of a needle or the size of an olive seed. There are 400-700 lymph nodes in our body, half of which are located in the abdomen and many of them in the neck.
The main function of the lymph nodes is to filter and clean the lymph. Lymph nodes produce different types of lymphocytes. Lymphocytes destroy harmful substances within the body and make up a large part of the immune system.
Lymph nodes reabsorb about 40% of the liquid contained in the lymph. This makes the lymph thicker. Due to their thickening and filtration process, lymph nodes present the greatest resistance to lymph flow. In fact, the lymph nodes have about 15 times more resistance than the vessels themselves. Lymphatic drainage helps overcome this resistance and resume normal lymphatic flow.
° Edema:
Each cell is nourished by nutrients, oxygen and proteins that flow through the walls of capillaries located in the intercellular fluid. There is a dynamic balance between the forces that help these nutrients exit the capillaries and then be reabsorbed back into the bloodstream.
Proteins play a major role in this transfer, as they tend to fill with water. This means that the right amount of protein on both sides of the capillary wall is vital in tissue maintenance and balance. If there are too many proteins within the intercellular spaces, fluid begins to accumulate. The role of the lymphatic system in the removal of proteins (removal and edema) is essential. If the lymphatic system is slowed down or damaged by the surgical removal of the lymph nodes, there is a possibility of the edemas reappearing. This type of edema is called lymphostatic edema or a protein edema. Lymphatic drainage helps to reduce this type of edema, because the cause of its creation is precisely a reduced functioning of the lymphatic system.
° Application of Lymphatic Massage:
Through the Lymphatic Drainage Massage, light pressure is applied and rhythmic circular movements are performed, in order to promote Lymphatic Drainage.
Lymphatic drainage massage was first applied by the Danes Drs. Emil Vodder and Estrid Vodder in 1930 for the treatment of chronic sinus and other immune disorders.
Working on the French Riviera, treating patients with chronic colds, the Vodder couple noticed that these patients had swollen lymph nodes (glands). In 1930, it was considered taboo to touch the lymphatic system, as a result of little knowledge about this system by the medicine of that time. The Vodder couple were undeterred and in 1932 began to study the lymphatic system, applying massage with light and rhythmic movements to promote lymphatic movement/circulation. In 1936, they applied this technique in Paris and after World War II they returned to Copenhagen to teach this therapy to other practitioners. Lymphatic drainage massage increases lymphatic circulation through the body's natural filtering systems, detoxifying it and giving full support to our health. A lymphatic massage can move more than 30 liters of lymph (compared to 2-3 liters under normal conditions) and double the production of white blood cells. It also relieves pain caused by nerve inflammation, compressed tissue or poor circulation. Lymphatic massage has extraordinary effects for those who suffer from stress, who have suffered an injury, who have been sick or inactive. Lymphatic massage also has positive effects on those who suffer from poor circulation, who have swelling from injuries or who have had an intervention, those who have immunity problems, chronic colds with sinuses and / or ear infections, menstrual problems, allergies, fatigue chronic, skin, digestive, depression and insomnia problems. It is ideal for reducing cellulite and toning the skin, especially if combined with physical activity. As in all other types of massage, you should drink water after the session.
Lymphatic Massage releases toxins and drinking water helps flush them out. On the other hand, salt and alcohol should not be consumed, as they hinder the body's ability to remove toxins.