Manual lymph drainage is a light & gentle form of massage that mimics the natural movement of lymphatic fluid through the lymphatic system thereby assisting the body in the removal of toxins, cellular waste, excess proteins, bacteria & viruses. It also transports white blood cells (lymphocytes) throughout this system so that they can pick up on & fight off any signs of infection in the body.
Unlike the cardiovascular system, which has the heart to pump blood throughout the body, the lymphatic system has to rely on the manual contractions & movement of skeletal muscles to circulate lymphatic fluid through the lymphatic system. It is for this reason that sedentary lifestyles(sitting too much or getting very little exercise) lead to poor lymphatic flow & a build up of toxins which directly affect the body in a multitude of negative ways.
When the lymphatic system is sluggish or blocked, such as after surgery or an injury, we can have swelling (eg. lymphodema after a mastectomy), an increase in the appearance of cellulite, feel tired & lethargic and are more susceptible to infections (e.g. colds & flu). However, when the lymphatic system works well, we feel healthy and have a strong defense against illness.
There are approximately 700 lymph nodes in the human body, all of which serve as filters which fight off infections, remove toxins & cellular waste from the lymphatic fluid before it re-enters the bloodstream
Toxins are believed by many to be the local beginnings of cancerous tissue.
It is imperative that these toxins be continually removed through the body's veins and lymphatic vessels. When these toxins are unable to exit the body properly, the possibility of cancer increases. Studies have found that women who wore brassieres (especially under wire) had an increased chance of acquiring breast cancer. It is very possible that the constant pressure that a brassiere puts on the breast tissue limits the flow of toxins (that need to be released) found in the lymphatic fluid, resulting in the increased cancer rate. The highest rate of breast cancer has been found in women who wore bras 24 hours a day, and the lowest rate in those who never wore bras. It is suggested that women should wear their bra less than 12 hours a day.
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