What a week!

Lymphnodes to the rescue

Well, what a chaotic week it was in Sydney! As the cyclonic conditions begin to ease and floodwaters dissipate, we hope that all of our wonderful clients are safe, dry and warm...

If you haven't managed to escape to a tropical island over the past few weeks, chances are you would have already begun to notice the effects that the cold weather can have on your body: dry skin, sluggishness, aching joints or the dreaded cold may be plaguing you as the wintry season creeps in. In our previous blog post we discussed the immune boosting power of remedial massage when incorporated into your regular routine for optimum health, but when you have specific areas of concern related to circulation, lymphatic drainage may produce the desired results even more effectively.

As you probably know, the lymphatic system is a network of tubes, known as lymph vessels, which drain and filter from tissues fluid that seeps though the walls of blood vessels. Working in unison with the blood system, nutrients are carried to cells and debris is removed as the fluid passes through lymph nodes. The human body contains 600-700 such nodes and their job is to collect waste material and trap bacteria and other microbes. Sometime, for a number of reasons, these tubes can become partially or fully blocked - which is why nodes (or glandes, as they are also called) become swollen when you have an infection.

In order for lymph fluid to circulate through the body efficiently, it requires a certain amount of physical movement and muscular action, in addition to adequate fluid and nutrient intake.

A common example of when these high standards of circulation are not achieved is during long-haul flights; if you've ever experienced tight and puffy legs while travelling, this is why... and it can be dangerous (read: deep vein thrombosis or DVT). It may surprise you, however, to learn that such puffiness can also occur at ground level during winter. Frequency of exercise may decrease as we trade in braving the icy air for a night in front of the heater watching television. At the same time, our intake of starchy comfort foods is probably on the rise. It won't take long before this combination has us feeling sluggish and our bodies crying out for us to get that stagnant lymph fluid moving again.

If exercise and diet alone isn't enough to remedy fluid retention, manual lymphatic drainage can really help. Lymphatic drainage is a specialised form of massage whereby fluid is coaxed through the lymph vessels in a very slow, gentle rhythm.

As the vessels are small and close to the skin, it is important that the massage is not too deep otherwise they could get blocked, preventing free flow of the fluid. During the procedure, therapists will use a soft, circular pumping motion to stimulate the system, encouraging fluid away from swollen areas and into sections where it can be moved more efficiently.

Manual lymphatic drainage massage is an excellent form of detox therapy and, when incorporated into your wellness regime, will help improve energy levels, allowing you to feel your absolute best this winter without needing to slow down. Several of our therapists at the Balmain Massage and Wellness Centre are trained in lymphatic drainage – call to enquire now on (02) 9555 5121, or 0406896525, or visit our website. 

Massage your way through winter: the immune boosting power of remedial massage

Boo-hoo... it's getting colder!
Of course, remedial massage in a warm environment is the ultimate treatment for when the chilly winter air has you in need of some serious comforting; it is calming, eases anxieties, can be a drug-free antidote to sleeplessness and just feels generally good.
The immediate advantages of massage seem obvious, but did you know that its therapeutic benefits extend to the immune system as well? After just a 45 minute massage, participants of a study published in the Journal of Complementary and Alternative Medicine were found to have an increased number of lymphocytes, the white blood cells integral in defending the body from disease. The promotion of lymphatic circulation means that lymph travels through the body at an advanced rate, eliminating waste and pathogens and strengthening infection-fighting capabilities. Even a single massage can cause enough of a biological change to trigger a boost in your immune system, which we can all benefit from during this flu season.
Additionally, massage has the power to reduce your levels of cortisol - also known as the 'stress hormone'. Cortisol is secreted in higher than normal quantities during the body's 'fight or flight' response to stress, producing some positive, though short-term survival reactions. It becomes problematic, however, when the body's functions don't have a chance to return to normal between periods of high tension, resulting in a state of chronic stress. Low levels of cortisol will ensure your blood pressure is stable and allow immune cells to do their job without interference.
In addition to the effects on the immune system, massage assists in the treatment of various other concerns we face during the winter months. Increased circulation to the muscles, joints and organs will warm the body, and is particularly beneficial in relieving aches and pains, such as arthritis, which can be aggravated by cold weather.
Also, as your circulation improves, your skin is able to absorb the massage oils and lotions more effectively which will leave you feeling hydrated despite the drying weather. Best of all, a regular massage will ward off the winter blues by releasing serotonin and endorphins, enhancing your warmth and overall wellbeing; it will make you happy no matter how miserable the weather.
As you reach for the kale and garlic smoothies and acai bowls this winter, consider reaching for your massage therapist as well; your mind and body will thank you.