The lymphatic system is part of the immune system. It is a network of tissues, vessels, ducts, nodes, and organs that work together to move lymph fluid through the body. Lymphatic fluid is a clear fluid primarily consisting of white blood cells and proteins. It is filtered and purified as it passes through the lymph nodes.

​​Lymph nodes contain white blood cells, called lymphocytes, which attack and break down bacteria, viruses, fungi, damaged cells, and cancer cells that the lymph fluid has delivered to the node. The fluid then carries the waste products and destroyed pathogens back into the bloodstream via the lymphatic vessels, where a portion is shuttled off to the kidneys, and the rest off to the liver and then the intestines to be excreted.

The lymphatic system is sometimes described as the body’s “sewage system” as it is responsible for cleaning the fluid in your body. It plays a crucial role in our body’s ability to ward off disease, heal from injury, and eliminate toxins.

The body’s lymphatic system is essential to maintaining optimal health. It maintains the body’s fluid balance, delivers vitamins from the digestive tract, removes waste products, and plays an integral role in immune functioning. When the lymphatic system functions properly, we have more energy, heal faster, and experience relief from symptoms such as congestion and bloating.

Lymphatic massage increases energy by increasing circulation. More waste out, and more oxygen and nutrients in equals more energy!

Lymphatic massage is a gentle, hands-on, light-touch therapy technique. During your first treatment, Madelyn will discuss your goals and design a treatment plan to meet your expectations and specific needs.

During a lymphatic massage session, Madelyn will move your skin in different directions, which stretches the microfilaments just below the skin. These microfilaments control the openings to the initial lymphatics. Once open, the lymphatics fill with interstitial fluid, which initiates a pumping response that moves the fluid toward the lymph nodes. Once in the lymph nodes, the lymphatic fluid is cleansed and purged of microorganisms, foreign particles, and excess proteins, enzymes, or hormones. Next, the cleansed fluid is returned to the blood for circulation.

Lymphatic massage increases lymph flow through the whole lymph system, affecting both the superficial circulation of lymph fluid and deep circulation within the intestinal and respiratory organs. Manual Lymphatic drainage helps to calm stress and anxiety by supporting the vagus nerve and the parasympathetic nervous system. It increases the body’s natural release of endorphins, serotonin, and oxytocin; all powerful neurotransmitters. This will also help to calm an autoimmune disease flare.

Lymph Flow For Life integrates manual lymphatic drainage and lymphatic drainage therapy with the use of other techniques such as light therapy, PEMF, and cold laser therapy to optimize lymphatic movement and assist immune functions.

Additionally, integrative lymphatic therapy incorporates the Lymphstar Pro Fusion, a device that

“aids in improving microcirculation, general circulation, and helps with fluid management at the tissue level. It is an electronic instrument that creates physical vibrations with acoustic pressure waves at variable low frequencies.This wave pulse creates vibratory energy at the molecular level, and enables a release of toxins, excess ions, proteins etc., within the interstitial space.

It supports or can replace manual lymphatic drainage methods. It offers several layers of electromagnetic energies that can assist with the release of interstitial toxins, thus helping with pain and the acceleration of local healing.” (Arcturus Star Products, https://lymphstarpro.com/).

It is important to stay hydrated before and after your treatment. Additionally, it’s best to avoid strenuous exercise, hot tubs, and saunas of any type on the day of treatment. You should also take it easy for the rest of the day after your session as you may experience symptoms such as mild body aches from the detoxification process. Drinking plenty of water can help flush out toxins and prevent or reduce aches, fatigue, and other post-treatment symptoms. Please discuss any symptoms you have with Madelyn so she can make specific adjustments and recommendations.

Cleansing the colon is also an important way to maximize the benefit of lymphatic therapy. A colonic, especially one that incorporates coffee, is an effective way to eliminate toxins from your intestines.

I can recommend two excellent Colon Hydrotherapists in Santa Barbara:

Sandra Spahr at Mariposa Health / Colonic Santa Barbara

805 637-8383

Mariposahealth.com

Sandra offers ozone colonics as well as coffee colonics.

Julia Loggins

805 506-4272

daretodetoxify.com

Julia’s new book Revolutionary Beauty offers simple tools and protocols to turn back the clock and heal the body, mind and spirit. Purification is key to cell renewal. Cleansing protocols such as lymphatic drainage therapy and colon cleansing are the secrets to ageless health and beauty.

Lymphatic massage is a powerful yet gentle therapy that promotes immune health, detoxification, and overall wellbeing. It addresses a range of health conditions, including:

• Allergies
• Cystic breasts
• Fibromyalgia
• Alopecia
• Ear infections
• Sinusitis
• Glaucoma
• Diabetic Neuropathy
• Pregnancy
• Lymphedema prevention
• Scar tissue

Yes – lymphatic massage can address sports injuries such as:

• Bruises
• Dislocations
• Fractures
• Torn muscles
• Phantom pain
• Joint replacement
• Tendonitis
• Tennis elbow
• Skier’s thumb
• Golfers arm

Yes – lymphatic massage can address neurological conditions such as:

• Trigeminal Neuralgia
• Bell’s Palsy
• Stroke
• Alzheimer’s
• Multiple Sclerosis

As we age there is a breakdown of the mesenteric lymph lining the intestines, compromising the body’s ability to remove toxins and deliver energy. Similarly, aging reduces lymphatic duct efficiency due to muscle atrophy. This results in an accumulation of fat in the lymph ducts, an increase in the number of lymph bulges, lymph duct wall thickening/scarring, a decline in lymph wall elasticity, and a decrease in the lymph-collecting vessels in the small intestine.

One of the side effects of surgery is swelling. This is a normal inflammatory response as lymph fluid rushes to the area to nourish it with white blood cells to encourage the healing process. Lymphatic massage stimulates tissue regeneration and promotes faster healing. It can help reduce post-surgical pain, bruising, and swelling to achieve optimal results. Lymphatic massage also helps to avoid potential complications such as infection or abnormal scarring.

Cosmetic procedures, especially lipo and tummy tucks, often cause additional swelling due to the large surface areas involved, and in the case of a tummy tuck, the invasiveness of the surgery. Lymphatic massage helps move the fluid that is built up in the tissues, allowing it to drain into lymph channels where excess waste and fluid can be flushed from the body. This Is helpful in reducing swelling and bruising and preventing fibrosis, the formation of thick, fibrous tissues.

Lymphatic massage can be an important pre- and post-surgical treatment for a number of surgeries, including

• Liposuction
• Face Lift
• Tummy Tuck
• Fat transplant
• Brazilian Butt Lift
• Breast Implants
• Mastectomy
• C-Section
• Rhinoplasty
• Dental Work
• Joint Replacement

While trying out any therapeutic modality for the first time can be intimidating, there is no reason to be nervous. Lymphatic massage is incredibly gentle. Since it works with the body’s fluid system and not the muscles like traditional massage, it requires just a very light touch to be effective. Clients report a feeling of immediate wellbeing and relaxation after this gentle and healing therapy.

Manual lymphatic drainage is NOT the same as “Brazilian lymph massage”, which is very deep work and is usually quite painful, and not recommended for post surgical situations.

It is NOT “incisional drainage“, where fluid is squeezed out of open incisions. Not only is this painful, it is very dangerous as it can damage delicate healing tissue and greatly increase the chance of developing infection.

Much of the pain associated with dental procedures comes from swelling. This swelling can be reduced with gentle massage to the neck, face, jaw, ears, and skull, which accelerates your recovery time by allowing fluid to exit the surgical site more quickly. Lymphatic massage before your surgery can also contribute to a faster recovery by clearing away toxins and creating a cleaner surgical site.

Lymphatic massage promotes a healthy and functioning lymphatic system, which in turn reduces the amount of inflammation in your body. While lymphatic therapy is not generally recommended during a flare-up, regular lymphatic massage can lead to fewer flare-ups and fewer overall symptoms associated with autoimmune conditions.

Indirectly, yes, lymphatic massage can support your weight loss program. Since lymphatic therapy greatly reduces the amount of fluid stored in your tissues, clients often report feeling slimmer after treatment. More importantly, however, lymphatic massage supports weight loss by draining and detoxifying the liver. The liver tends to become congested as a result of the increase in the amount of fat and toxins it filters during weight loss programs. Cleansing the liver allows you to lose weight more effectively.

Pregnant women naturally retain more fluid to allow for the expansion of their bodies. However, they can also experience uncomfortable swelling due to the uterus putting more pressure on their veins and constricting blood flow. Lymphatic massage can help ease this swelling and reduce discomfort. It is recommended to wait until after your first trimester and consult with your doctor before beginning lymphatic therapy.

Lymphedema is a chronic dysfunction of the lymphatic system. Prevention is the best form of treatment and lymphatic massage can be an effective form of early intervention for lymphedema. While manual lymphatic massage can help prevent or manage the symptoms of lymphedema, this serious condition is best addressed by going to a specialized lymphedema clinic such as Cottage Hospital or Sansum Clinic where practitioners are trained for wrapping and bandaging. If you are at-risk for developing lymphedema, Lymph Flow For Life can equip you with long-term independent management and prevention strategies. However it is highly recommended that you get screened early as well by a trained Lymphadema Therapist such as Michelle Folsom at Heart of Gold Physical Therapy ( 805-840-9407) through her lymphedema prevention program.

The amount of sessions to achieve optimal health is determined on a case-by-case basis. Madelyn carefully customizes treatment plans to fit each client’s specific needs. Pre- and post-surgical treatment generally requires more frequency and follow-up in the time surrounding the surgery.

Lymph Flow For Life is not set up to accept insurance. However, clients can utilize flexible spending account funds and health savings accounts to reduce their out-of-pocket expenses for services. Specialized treatment for lymphedema is available through Cottage Hospital and Sansum Clinic and can be covered by insurance.