manual lymphatic drainage: an immune booster for the autumn

As London embraces autumn and edges towards winter with its accompanying illnesses, our immune systems need to kick into a higher gear to keep us healthy. Sick co-workers, traffic, traveling on an old and dirty tube network are all little assaults on our wonderful lymphatic systems, which usually need a boost around this time of year.

So what is the Lymphatic System? Imagine your arteries, veins and capillaries and you’ll have an idea of what it looks like. It’s an intricate web of vessels designed to clear waste from your cells and direct it to the lymph nodes where white blood cells fight infection. Every cell is served by it; it’s marvellous. The main difference between the Cardiovascular and Lymphatic Systems is this: the blood has a pump (the heart), whilst lymph does not, relying instead upon muscles to squeeze it during exercise to keep it circulating effectively. Inversions make a positive contribution, so keep going to your yoga classes as well as doing regular exercise.

For people with sluggish or compromised systems (some signs of this can be fluid retention, frequent colds, oedema or limb swelling post injury or operation), Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) can be a really effective treatment. The Therapist will press and release lymph nodes, use gentle wave-like massage strokes and lightly sweep your skin to facilitate optimal efficiency within the system. Congested areas, usually around the lymph nodes in the groin, armpits, knees and neck, will be encouraged to clear. The treatment is especially useful if there has been any surgery – cosmetic or otherwise – where the delicate web can be damaged. MLD is adaptable and can be sampled during a deep tissue massage if you don’t need a full session.

It really is good stuff. When I was studying for my Diploma of Remedial Massage in Australia (a sports and deep tissue-based course), many of us pooh-poohed MLD, thinking it too gentle to be effective. The reality is it gives a sense of calm and balance that can last for several days, relieves swollen ankles during pregnancy, provides pain relief prior to working more deeply into an injury, and assists a system fairly taxed by a sedentary lifestyle. If you come for a treatment I can show you a simple self-massage routine to boost your own system if you feel you’re getting ill. It’s a profoundly relaxing experience and one that’s bound to give you a sense of lightness and rejuvenation, whether your system is naturally sluggish or just in need of a bit of a boost. Thanks for reading and happy autumn!

Cat Robertson-Glasgow moved to London from Australia where she trained in various modalities including Remedial, Sports Massage, Pregnancy Massage, Chinese Cupping, Acupressure, and Reiki. She has been a practicing massage therapist for over 14 years and is extremely passionate about her work. She worked on the top Australian Rules football team in Melbourne, and is a long-term yoga practitioner and teacher. She is strong, but also mindful and compassionate.

Cat works at triyoga Camden. For her schedule and more information, please click here.

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