Why Lymphatic Massage Matters So Much for Your Health

I massage my lymph nodes every day, and I figured you should know about it too.

So here's why you shouldn't skip giving yourself a lymphatic massage.

We live in a world where we're constantly exposed to toxins.

They're everywhere.

In the air, the water, the food, in medications, in toothpaste, shampoo, deodorant, and perfume, in air fresheners, in car fresheners, in the car's AC, in our exposure to plastic and microplastic.

The lymphatic system is meant to help us get rid of all this waste.

The lymphatic system is one of the most important systems in the body.

But it gets almost no attention in conventional medicine, even though it's critical to health, detoxification, and the immune system.

When toxins accumulate,

it affects our digestive system, our skin, our energy levels, and our cognitive function.

But that same system fails to drain toxins the way it should.

If we're not sleeping enough, or eating too close to bedtime,

if we live sitting down, if we eat too much processed food,

and if we're not managing stress,

that's the reason you should do a lymphatic massage.

So that there's no stagnation.

Stagnation equals problems. Stagnation equals disease.

Here are a few things worth knowing about the lymphatic system:

1\. The body's cleaning system

You can think of the lymph as the body's "sewer system."

It collects all the cellular waste, toxins, bacteria, and leftovers of metabolic processes from the tissues and returns them to the liver and kidneys to be excreted.

If it's stuck, the waste stays in the body, and that can lead to fatigue, problem skin, swelling, inflammation, headaches, and more.

2\. A central part of the immune system

Within the lymphatic system are lymph nodes (like in the neck, armpit, groin, etc.) where biological "filtering" happens.

In these nodes, white blood cells (lymphocytes) work to attack and "neutralize" pathogens, viruses, and cancer cells.

In other words, this is one of the body's first lines of defense against infections and disease.

3\. Maintaining fluid balance

The lymphatic system returns excess fluid from the tissues back into the bloodstream, and in doing so keeps the body's fluids balanced.

When there's a blockage or slow flow, you get edema, swelling, or a feeling of heaviness in the legs.

4\. Movement, the key to lymph health

Unlike blood, which has a heart to pump it, the lymph doesn't move on its own.

It moves only through the body's movement: breathing, stretching, dry brushing, jumping rope, cold showers, and more.

Lack of movement = a stuck lymphatic system = a body full of waste.

Of course, the best approach is also to protect ourselves from taking in too many toxins.

There are some things that aren't in our control, like air pollution.

But most things are entirely in our hands:

• Diet
• What we rub on our body
• Perfumes
• Medications

And so on.

If you don't move much, or you're dealing with fatigue, you'll need to do some work on the lymphatic system.

If you have skin problems, you'll want to work on the lymphatic system.

If you have digestive problems, you'll want to work on the lymphatic system.

If you suffer from pain, you'll want to work on the lymphatic system.

If you have brain fog, you'll want to work on the lymphatic system.

It won't fix your whole life.

But it's a big step in the right direction.

Your body will start clearing out the waste that accumulates every day.

How do you practice?

In each of the exercises, you work on both sides of the body:

Rub ten times.

Then tap ten times.

Do it slowly.

You can do it gently, and you can do it a bit harder.

Points to massage:

• The sides of the nose
• The collarbones
• Behind the ear and the neck
• The armpits
• The digestive system
• Behind the knees
• And the groin

So if you're feeling tired, heavy, stuck, or if you get sick often,

it might not be "your energy" at all, but a clogged lymphatic system.