Lymphatic Drainage - Eliminate pain, swelling, and "fat."

So many people lately are telling me that they feel swollen.  Their joints are painful and stiff, and some can even tell that they are "fatter."  Their rings don't fit, shoes feel tight, etc.  Partly because of the heat and humidity lately, partly because of not drinking enough water, and partly because of poor diet choices, people do tend to retain more water in the summer.  But there is an excellent solution!

Lymphatic Drainage Massage is an excellent way of keeping the water in your body draining properly.  It is a very gentle massage - which is good, because a lot of times, swollen joints tend to be very tender to the touch.  It is subtle, but powerful, as it enhances the removal of "toxins" from the cells and tissues and supports the immune system.  It does this by improving the flow of bodily water, known as lymph.

Lymphatic Drainage Massage has actually become a standard treatment in hospitals in Europe, and it's starting to be used more here in the states, too.

Lymph is rich in immune cells that fight off illnesses.  It circulates through the body, somewhat like blood, and filters out toxins and waste products.  The swollen glands you feel when you are fighting an illness are your lymph nodes working.  Lymphatic Drainage Massage uses a light touch to enhance lymph circulation, which makes it easier for the body to fend off illnesses.

So what causes your lymphatic system to stop flowing properly?  There are many causes.  First of all, not drinking enough water.  Being dehydrated thickens the lymph, so it can't flow as freely.  On top of that, so many of us have sedentary lives (often because of jobs that have us sitting most of the day).  Unlike blood, the lymphatic system doesn't have a pump, and relies on muscle movement to circulate the lymphatic fluids.  So when we don't move enough, the lymph becomes stagnant.  Injuries, both minor and severe, can also contribute to lymphatic stagnation.  The swelling around joints is caused by lymph flooding the injured area, so the damage can be removed quickly.  If the inflammation becomes chronic, because the injury doesn't heal completely, the swelling doesn't go away the way it should.

Lymphatic Drainage Massage is an excellent way of improving the flow of your lymphatic system.  There are other things you can do, though, in addition to the massage.

1. Drink plenty of water.  Drink at least half your weight in ounces (so if you are 200 pounds, you should drink 100 ounces every day).
2. Move!  Being active is the most important thing for your lymphatic system.  It especially needs up and down movement, so things like jumping on a rebounder (or trampoline), walking, running, and so forth are very beneficial.  If you are having problems, a mini-trampoline is a minor investment that can be one of the best you make toward your health.
3. Take good care of your kidneys.  The kidneys allow your lymphatics to empty.  Thankfully, most things that are good for the lymphatics are also good for the kidneys.
4. Change your diet.  Excessive acid-causing foods in your diet can increase swelling in the body.  Acid reducing foods are fruits and vegetables.  The most acid-causing foods are processed foods, sugar, soda, meat, and grains.  Processed foods are very high in unhealthy salts, which are known to cause water retention.
5. Add sea-salt to your diet.  Unlike processed salt, real sea-salt actually helps reduce water retention.  Make sure your sea-salt is unbleached - it should be brownish or pink in color, not white!

We also offer an excellent herbal combination that can reduce swelling in the body.  We recommend two products, both liquids.  They are Nature's Sunshine products.  One is called Lymphatic Drainage (big surprise there, right?), and the other is Kidney Drainage.  We recommend starting with 10 drops of each, 4 times per day.  In addition to the other changes you make, these two formulas will have you back to feeling normal again within days.

Here we go again!

Well, I'm at it again!  I'm doing another cleanse.  This one is more specific, though.  Lately, I've been feeling really icky.  Yes, that is the medical term for it, "icky."  Basically, bloating, nausea, sluggish (meaning low energy, not that I've been creeping on the ground and avoiding salt), and a little constipated.  So I had my boss aka chiropractor Dr. Jack Sharratt check me out, and he suggested that it could be my gall bladder.  My other boss aka Certified Natural Health Professional (and mother) Jean Weddle is always telling me that I need to work on my gall bladder and liver.  So I figured Dr. Sharratt was right.

So I'm doing a five day gall bladder flush.  It's not as bad as it sounds.  Which is my way of saying I choke it down and survive!  Here's the deal.  The juice of a lemon and an ounce of organic olive oil every night before bed.  Then, in the morning, an ounce of olive oil, the juice of a lemon, a clove of garlic, and a shake of cayenne (capsicum) pepper.  YOWSERS!  Then I chase that with 8 ounces of grapefruit juice (100% juice, unsweetened).  The shot is a little rough, but the juice is delicious, so I get it down without much difficulty.

Then after that, I drink 2 cups of warm herbal tea.  It's a formula made by Nature's Sunshine called Gall Bladder Formula.  I open 2 capsules into a large mug and fill it with hot water and let it cool down and drink it. Then no food for an hour, but I promise, after all that, food is the last thing I want!

For the rest of the day, I have to be sure and drink plenty of water (as usual, especially with any type of cleanse), and avoid sugar.

So today is day one of my gall bladder flush.  It's the end of the day and I have a little headache, my appetite is pretty low (which is good, for me), and I'm not overly looking forward to my lemon juice/olive oil shots tonight.  But if it will make me feel better, I'm willing!  It's only five days this time.

I need to get better about posting on a regular basis. :-)

Massage Therapy for Arthritis

We’ve all seen the effects of arthritis.  An elderly man with his hands clutched around his cane, barely able to walk due to arthritis in his hips.  A former athlete, the start of his high school basketball team, now limps due to arthritis in the knees.  Your best friend was in a car accident 20 years ago.  He never got treated for his whiplash, now has arthritis in his back and wakes up stiff and achy every day.  Each of these forms of arthritis vary from causing mild stiffness in joints and occasional aches, to being very painful, causing constant pain and immobility in joints. 

The connection between arthritis and massage therapy may not seem apparent at first.  But studies show that massage therapy can play a big role in alleviating the symptoms of arthritis including the stress that often accompanies arthritis.  As arthritis progresses, muscles tighten to compensate for the joint damage and to protect the bones.  One problem leads to another and that's where arthritis and massage become partners. 

According to the Arthritis Foundation, massage can help with arthritis in two ways.  First, massage stretches the muscles surrounding the joints.  This restores flexibility, which allows the muscles to stop pulling painfully on the joint.  The stretching also stimulates production of synovial fluid, which acts as a cushion for the joint, and allows for more complete mobility.  Second, massage encourages the body to release endorphins which are natural mood enhancers and pain killers.  Massage to the muscles, ligaments and tendons creates relaxation that restores balance to the tissues.  Both of these actions reduce pain, stiffness and inflammation, which are the primary characteristics of arthritis.

Furthermore, research has shown that massage can lower the body’s production of the stress hormone cortisol, and boost production of serotonin, which, in turn, can improve mood. Additionally, massage can lower production of the neurotransmitter substance P, often linked to pain, and improve sleep as a result.  Anyone suffering from a painful condition can greatly benefit from having their stress and pain reduced, and the quality of their sleep improved!

Massage therapy breaks the cycle of pain that goes along with arthritis.  It has few side effects and does not add toxins to the body as traditional medications that are prescribed to treat arthritis.  Massage therapy for arthritis is not only enjoyable, but it has proven to be effective.

Massage for arthritis should be handled with care.  Feedback is very important – if the pressure during the massage is too much for you, please let your therapist know!  The massage should be within your comfort zone.  It might be slightly painful, but in a good way.  There is a difference between therapeutic pain (“hurts good”) and just PAIN.  So please communicate with your therapist, even if it is to let her know that it feels wonderful.  We always appreciate that!