Release Puffiness, Aches, and Stagnation! Get Your Lymph and Digestion Flowing Again.

Feel like you are constantly fighting sickness? Feeling bloated, swollen, and just generally blah? Slow-moving lymph can contribute to congestion, inflammation, infections, bacteria overgrowth, and dysregulation of health systems in the body.

The lymphatic system also aids in digestion and absorption of our nutrients. It can affect and be affected by a gut microbiome out of balance and stagnant digestion.

Signs and Symptoms of sluggish lymph flow:

Fatigue

Bloating

Water retention

Stiffness, especially in the morning

Brain fog

Itchy and dry skin

Cellulite

Stubborn weight gain

Night sweats

Chronic sinusitis, colds, ear issues, frequent infections

Sore throats, tonsillitis

Breast swelling with the menstrual cycle

Swollen lymph nodes (most common in the groin, armpit, and neck)

Cold hands and feet

What does your lymphatic system do for you?

Your lymphatic system is your waste removal system It includes a vast network of 500-600 lymph nodes, as well as tissues, organs and glands including your spleen, thymus, tonsils.

Lymph nodes are located throughout the body, with hundreds of these glands present in areas such as the neck, armpits, and groin. They are connected by a network of lymphatic vessels, which carry lymph fluid containing white blood cells and waste products from the body’s tissues.It’s impossible to separate out lymph flow from digestive health, so everything you do to love up your gut is helping to support your lymphatic system!

It’s estimated that your liver produces around 25-50% of your lymphatic fluid. That means if your liver biliary system(Bile)  is stagnant, your lymph is going to be affected.

The Lymph-Digestion Connection

While often overlooked, your lymphatic system is a crucial component to your overall health and vitality, and it's deeply interconnected with your circulatory and digestive systems. Your blood and lymph complement each other - think about your circulatory system like the faucets in the house, and your lymphatic system like the drains. You can’t have one without the other, and both need to function well to avoid problems.

Signs of Sluggish Bile

Nausea, heartburn, burping, gas, bloating, or other digestive symptoms

Diarrhea

SIBO

Feeling full for hours after eating

Autoimmune disease - Hashimoto’s, rheumatoid arthritis, colitis, MS,

Fibromyalgia

Pain and inflammation

Light colored stool

Constipation

Intestinal discomfort after eating fatty foods

Fatigue even after sleep

Problems detoxing

Stubborn weight gain

Metabolism seems to have slowed in the last several years

Type 2 diabetes

Insulin resistance

Hungry often

Irritable between meals

Waking the middle of the night

History of gallstones or gallbladder surgery

Headaches, migraines

Skin issues: rosacea, psoriasis, eczema

Hair loss

Chemical sensitivity - don’t like chemical smells, rashy if you wear new clothes, etc

How to Support Your Lymphatic System 

Successfully supporting your lymph system might be easier than you think. Here are some effective ways you can give your lymph a little extra love, today:

1. Rebounding- Think: adult trampoline. Rebounding is a fancy word for “jumping on a small trampoline.” Movement, like jumping and running, encourages lymphatic flow and increases its function.

2. Dry Brushing- Dry brushing supports lymphatic drainage through long, light brush strokes on the skin. This relaxing and powerful technique can be done before your daily shower. 

3. Infrared Sauna- Using a sauna regularly helps sweat out and excrete toxins from the body, giving your lymph system a healthy boost.

4. Lymphatic Massage- Perform lymphatic massage on yourself daily, starting with proper breathing and moving through the massage from head-to-toe.

5. Cold/Hot Showers- Alternating between hot and cold water in the shower promotes detoxification and stimulates circulation in the body- both of which are essential for healthy lymph function. Start with 2-3 minutes of hot water, then transition to 1 minute of cold water. Repeat this hot/cold cycle throughout the rest of your shower, ending with cold water. 

6. Hydration- Drinking adequate water throughout the day is the easiest way to support healthy lymph function. Water helps your body effectively drain and remove toxins from the body, which is the lymphatic systems main job. 

7. Herb Support- In addition to all of the above, herbal supplementation can further support your lymph system.

The best thing about supporting your lymphatic and digestive systems? You can notice the results fairly quickly.

If you are struggling with any of these symptoms, call our office for a consultation on how we can help!