One thing we can all do to start off 2018 on the right foot is to give our immune systems a healthy boost. We can do this by keeping the lymphatic system flowing as freely as possible. Here is a brief explanation of the lymphatic system as well as a few simple lymphatic pumping exercises that encourage lymphatic drainage.
What is the lymphatic system and how is it related to the immune system? The lymphatic system is the part of the circulatory system in our bodies that carries disease fighting cells to where they are needed. The circulatory system is comprised of arteries, which make up a network of vessels that carry blood to our body parts and organs; veins which comprise a network of vessels that carry blood from the body parts back to the heart, and lymphatic vessels that transport lymphatic fluid, called lymph. Lymph is the fluid that transports lymphocytes and other disease fighting cells to and from sites of infection and injury.
https://en.wikiversity.org/wiki/WikiJournal_of_Medicine/Medical_gallery_of_Blausen_Medical_2014
Lymph also carries bacteria and other harmful invaders to the lymph nodes where they are destroyed, removes waste products and cellular debris, and acts as an extra pathway of return for proteins and excess fluid into the bloodstream.
Besides the lymphatic vessels, other parts of the lymphatic system include the thymus, bone marrow and spleen. The thymus provides a site for immune cells (T-Cells) to develop and mature, and to adapt a proper T-Cell response to potential infection, cancer, or other harm. Bone marrow produces immune cells as well as provides a site for their maturation. The spleen produces immune cells as well as filters out old blood cells and debris from the blood.
The lymphatic system is an open system, which means that it can communicate with and transfer fluid from lymph circulation to blood circulation. This allows it to dispose of waste products from lymph and into blood circulation for elimination from the body. Additionally, it allows for distribution of healthy fluid back into the blood to help balance fluid levels between the various fluid compartments of the body.
Two main sites at which this fluid exchange occurs (from lymph to blood) are the lymphatic ducts. These are the thoracic duct (located behind the left medial clavicle) and the right lymphatic duct (behind the right clavicle) as shown in the diagram below.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Right_lymphatic_duct#/media/File:Gray621.png
Movement of lymph throughout the body occurs naturally via smooth muscles lining the ducts and valves to prevent backward flow, and the action of breathing. So, essentially any exercise will increase lymphatic circulation by increasing blood circulation and by increasing our rate and intensity of breathing.
Because these lymphatic ducts are two main sites of lymph drainage from lymphatic vessels back into blood circulation, keeping the tissue around the ducts flexible and open can significantly increase their ability to drain fluid. Using the arms to pump fluid can help increase circulation locally at the ducts themselves and blood circulation centrally at the heart.
Let’s go over some specific exercises that can help to manually pump lymphatic fluid and encourage its drainage into the lymphatic ducts.
ARM PUMPING EXERCISE 1: See video below
Seated comfortably on a supportive surface with legs crossed (if possible),
Spine straight
Arms at your sides with your elbows bent at about a 60-degree angle
Palms turned towards you.
Straighten arms completely so that your elbows are straight, keeping them at a 60-degree angle, making an air “V” shape.
Pump the arms up and down, making sure you go all the way up (arms straight as a bone!) and all the way down (arms against your sides!) each time.
Do about 60 pumps in 90 seconds, or at whatever rate causes you to breath faster.
Make sure you BREATH!
ARM PUMPING EXERCISE 2: See video below
Lying flat on a supportive surface (floor with yoga mat recommended)
Arms straight by your sides; do not bend at the elbows
Lift arms about 6-8 inches off the floor, elbows straight
Pump up and down with STRAIGHT elbows
Do 100 of these, fast if possible, at a rate of 1 pump per second
You should challenge yourself so that it’s a little difficult and your breathing increases.
Keep BREATHING!
Many blessings for a beautiful 2018!
Shawn Marie Higgins, D.O.
Osteopathic Wellness, LLC
222 Auburn Street, Ste. 103
Portland, ME 04103
tel: 207-615-6956 fax: 207-850-2228
www.osteopathicwell.com
©Shawn Marie Higgins, DO 2018