What is it? | rajeheyer

The Lymphatic System and what it does

The Lymphatic System plays an important role in the Body’s Immune System in that it is constantly breaking down and removing germs, toxins, waste, and excess water-caused by inflammation and swelling-out of the Body through its lymphatic circulatory pathways.

Unlike the circulation of Blood, the flow of Lymph moves in a slow rhythm with a low velocity and pressure. Lymph originates in the connective tissue spaces of the body. At that moment it is known as Interstitial Fluid until it is pulled into the lymph vessels and then becomes known as Lymph.

The Lymph Fluid is a clear yellowish color that is mainly made up of water 96 % Water-this is why it is so important that a client stay hydrated with water before and after any Lymph Drainage session. The rest of Lymph’s components can vary depending on what time of day you look at it—It can carry Fats, Proteins--which include metabolic byproducts (viruses, protein debris, parasites, dead cells and harmful foreign waste), Lymphocytes, Hormones, Toxins, Dust, Food Preservatives, Minerals, etc.

Lymph can be found in almost every tissue area in the body except where there is no blood vascularization. It moves from the smallest spaces into increasingly larger vessels as it makes its way, in one direction, towards the heart and eventually out through the eliminatory system.

Lymph’s Main Functions:

*Takes in excess fluids from the tissue spaces around the cells and thus decreases edema (excess swelling).

*Cleanses tissue and removes waste.

*Recovers and returns healthy substances to blood circulation after being processed through the Lymph nodes.

*Maintains pressure and fluid volume in the tissues.

*Creates and circulates the two big immune fighting cells T-Lymphocytes and B-Lymphocytes throughout the Body.

*Transports food particles (fatty acids), that come from the small intestine, back into blood circulation.

*Can calm the Nervous System by decreasing sympathetic response and encouraging parasympathetic actions. Can help inhibit pain and have an antispastic effect.