In short, the lymphatic system is the foundation of the immune system. There are lymphatic vessels running through the entire body, mirroring the pathways of the cardiovascular system. After blood has delivered its oxygen and nutrients to the cells, about 15% of the blood plasma seeps out of the cardiovascular system and becomes interstitial fluid. The lymphatic capillaries absorb this fluid, which not becomes lymph. As the lymph circulates through the body, it is delivering and absorbing nutrients, transporting cellular waste and excess hormones to be detoxed, and monitoring the body for foreign invaders.

We have clusters of lymph nodes in all our major joints—the neck, armpits, abdomen, hip crease, and knee. Skeletal movement and diaphragmatic breathing help massage the node clusters and move the lymph. Lymph travels through this one-way circuit until it reaches the terminus, or "main drain," at the collarbone, where the lymph fluid reenters the cardiovascular system at the heart. Along the way, the lymph fluid is carrying lymphocytes (white blood cells), which are finding and killing invaders such as bacteria, cancer cells, viruses, parasites and fungi. By the time the lymph reaches the heart, it is as clean and clear as possible.

Where our cardiovascular system has a heart to pump our blood, the movement of our lymphatic system is entirely dependent on physical movement and deep diaphragmatic breathing. With lymphatic drainage, we are mimicking the gentle pumping of the lymphatic system for extra support when the lymph is having a harder time flowing. With the combination with LET and MLD, we are both breaking up areas of congestion or stagnation and gently moving the lymph fluid throughout the entire body.

A lymphatic treatment is wonderful way to support an over-burdened system. Clients will often report feeling deeply relaxed, lighter, clearer, energized, or more fully embodied.

Lymphatic drainage has become more popular as part of a general wellness routine, and is an excellent way to support your immune system, the health of your whole body.

Lymphatic drainage is also very supportive when there is a healing demand on the body and the body is less mobile, such as after surgery, after a period of illness, postpartum, or with chronic illness/fatigue.

Additionally, the lymphatic system can become congested simply from factors of our modern world—high stress, toxin exposure, long stretches of sitting, dehydration, etc.

Signs that you may be dealing with lymphatic congestion are:

• chronic fatigue

• swelling or fluid retention

• chronic aches or joint pains

• bloating

• brain fog

• headaches

• breast swelling before menstruation

• constipation

Unfortunately, no! Please stay home if you have cold/flu symptoms, a fever, an active virus/infection, or are on antibiotics—these are contraindications for bodywork.

When we get sick and we notice the lymph nodes in our neck are swollen, it’s easy to want to go in and get them drained down to normal size. But, the lymph nodes are swelling because they’ve detected a pathogen or virus, and are trapping that pathogen so the lymphocytes can do their work to destroy it before it spreads to other areas of the body. If we do lymphatic drainage during an acute infection or fever, we risk driving the virus deeper into the body. It’s better to rest, stay hydrated, and let your lymphatic system do it’s job!

If your cold/flu symptoms and fever have resolved and you still have swollen lymph nodes, this can be a good time for lymphatic drainage to reset the lymphatic system—sometimes after an acute infection the lymph nodes need some support to flow again.

The lymphatic drainage treatment is excellent at moving fluid and pulling toxins out of our tissues, but we depend on our body’s elimination pathways to complete the process. If our drainage pathways are challenged, it's not uncommon to experience flu-like symptoms for 1-2 days, such as headache, fatigue, nausea, or fever. Detoxification is an energy-intensive process—your body likely did a lot of work and is cueing you to hydrate and rest.

Here are some ways to enhance the benefits of your treatment and reduce the possibility of detox symptoms:

1. Water + electrolytes: Our lymph becomes more viscous when we’re dehydrated, slowing down its flow. Extra hydration before and after your session will help flush out anything that was stirred up. I like coconut water with Celtic salt and lime juice, Quinton Hypertonic sea water, or bone broth for mineral-rich hydration.

2. Limit caffeine and alcohol beforehand: For the days leading up to your appointment, do your best here to give your liver a break so it's more resourced to focus on lymphatic detoxification in your session.

3. Sweating: Our skin is one of our major drainage pathways. Gently working up a sweat can be hugely supportive after lymphatic drainage. Try an epsom salt bath/foot soak or sauna.

4. Gentle Movement: Yoga, walking, rebounding, breathwork, Qi gong—all are wonderful additions to your movement practice and especially helpful before or after your session to prime your lymphatic system for flow.

5. Sleep: Our body does so much of its detoxification while we sleep, most critically in our liver and brain. Getting a good night’s sleep before and after your session will make all the difference.

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* For clients with a high toxic burden:

If you're working with MTHFR, Lyme, mold/mycotoxins, etc, or if you are chronically constipated, some extra drainage support may be appropriate after your session. In addition to the above recommendations, try:

1. Take a gentle binder before your session. A binder will help your body mop up and eliminate any toxins stirred up during your treatment so they aren't reabsorbed. I use CellCore's Biotoxin Binder, which is very gentle and does not interfere with mineral or supplement absorption.

2. Colon hydrotherapy or coffee enema. Scheduling a colonic within 24 hours after a lymphatic drainage treatment is a wonderful way to complete the detoxification work we initiated in our session. Coffee enemas are hugely supportive for liver detoxification and increasing glutathione production, and are a great tool to prevent and clear herx reactions.

3. Castor Oil. I offer castor oil during your session, but it is also helpful to apply it topically over your liver for a longer period or overnight after your session. I like the Queen of Thrones castor oil pack.

The answer to this question will be different for everyone — there is never a one-size-fits-all when it comes to healing! I can offer your body all the lymphatic support I am capable of, and ultimately it is your body that will determine the pace of your healing.

Generally, I would recommend that new clients receive three sessions within 6-8 weeks to determine if this work feels supportive for them or not at this time. Lymphatic drainage or Craniosacral Therapy may be something you wish to receive 2-4 times a month in the more intensive healing phases of your life, and once every month or two when your symptoms are less acute. Feel free to email me about your current experience and I'd be happy to offer my recommendation.

The beginning of Craniosacral Therapy was Dr. William Sutherland's discovery in the early 1900s that the bones of the cranium, joined at sutures, allow for very slight movement and articulation. Lining the inside of these bones is dura mater, which attaches at both the occiput and the sacrum. This continuous sheath of fascia, the dural tube, travels from the cranium, along the spinal cord, down to the sacrum. The dural tube is filled with cerebral spinal fluid (CSF), which bathes the roots of our nerves. This river of CSF flows up and down from our cranium to sacrum and has its own pulse and it moves up and down the craniosacral system.

The lineage of Craniosacral Therapy that was originally developed by osteopath William Sutherland, now taught primarily through the Upledger Institute, is categorized as "biomechanical" CST. In this style, the therapist performs subtle assessments to identify fascial restrictions, and follows with gentle, targeted adjustments on the craniosacral system to unwind these tension patterns. It is a more active approach to CST and can be most helpful for more acute or physical conditions.

Biodynamic CST is a newer adaptation, first taught in the 1980's by Franklyn Sills. Rather than seeking out the areas of imbalance in the body, the therapist attunes to the areas of health in the client's system. When we can enhance and support the areas of health, we often see that the body is able to resolve the areas of imbalance on its own. Instead of performing adjustments to instigate a change or release, the therapist moves with and enhances the client's existing cranial rhythms, giving support for their system to resolve blockages at its own pace. Biodynamic CST is especially supportive for clients who are seeking support for chronic conditions as well as mental, emotional, and nervous system support.

A single session can draw from both approaches, and I use both depending on the needs of the client.