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.