Massage Therapy

Why should you get a lymphatic massage before surgery? If you are preparing for surgery, your doctor might suggest a lymphatic massage pre-surgery. A lymphatic massage is recommended prior to surgery as it helps prepare your body for the surgical procedure. The massage stimulates the lymph vessels of your lymphatic system to remove waste products, bacteria, viruses, excess proteins, excess fluid, and any other unwanted substances from your body. This optimizes the cellular environment in the area of the body being treated. Pre-surgery lymphatic massage can also help reduce the risk of post-surgical complications such as infection, excessive swelling, bruising, and scar tissue formation. Another plus point? After the massage, surgeons find it easier to make an incision through clean, [...]

What is the lymphatic system’s role in weight loss? The lymphatic system’s role in weight loss is to absorb digestive fat from the small intestine and transport it through the bloodstream, where it can be used as energy or removed as waste. When the lymphatic system stops functioning properly and becomes sluggish, fat absorption becomes impaired, and fat accumulates in tissues. Over time this accumulation can lead to noticeable weight gain and extra difficulty releasing weight. A strongly functioning lymphatic system is essential for healthy weight loss and overall health and wellness as we go through life. Genetics and personal medical history are leading factors for developing lymphatic dysfunction. Lifestyle factors like stress, sitting all day, sedentariness, and poor posture [...]

 Lymphatic Massage May HelpWhen you have a blockage, infection, or disease, this can hinder the lymphatic system’s ability to transport lymph fluid. Therefore, it may accumulate, resulting in swelling. That’s why you should consider draining the lymph through lymphatic massage, which can improve the function of your lymphatic system.Lymphatic drainage massage has two main steps:Clearing, which involves releasing lymphatic fluid in your tissuesReabsorption, which involves moving the lymphatic fluid to your lymph nodesLymphatic massage can also be beneficial for other conditions, such as:Rheumatoid arthritis – causes joint pain, swelling, and stiffness.Fibromyalgia – causes chronic pain in muscles and joints.Chronic venous insufficiency – when leg veins can’t effectively pump blood to the heart.Lipedema – when excess fat accumulates in the lower body, leading to blockage [...]

Do you grind or clench your teeth at night? Are you currently using a mouth guard, or have you been told that you may eventually need one? Do you experience ringing in the ears, either constant or intermittent? If you grind or clench your teeth you may also experience pain with chewing or hear a popping noise when your mouth opens or closes. Often, headaches, neck and shoulder pain can occur. More and more dentists are realizing Craniosacral Therapy can be a missing piece to a successful dental procedure. CranioSacral treatment can be effective for treating hypertonicity (continual increase in the muscle tension) in the soft tissue which directly impacts the position of the temporomandibular joints (TMJ) or malocclusion (misalignment [...]

Signs You Need Lymphatic Drainage Massage The following conditions may seem innocuous, but if you experience some or many of them altogether chronically, it could be a sign that your body is suffering from toxin overload and you may therefore need a lymphatic drainage massage. Allergies and/or food sensitivities Bloating Brain fog Chronic lethargy (persistent tiredness) Constipation Depression Digestive problems Swollen lymph nodes Excess weight Increased susceptibility to colds and flu Sinus infections Skin problems/dry and or itchy skin Swelling in your fingers/rings fitting more tightly Conditions That Benefit from Lymphatic Drainage Massage There have been numerous studies that indicate the beneficial effects of lymphatic drainage massage in the treatment of a number of health problems, particularly: Lymphedema Lymphedema is [...]

What is the mind-body connection? Your mind and body are powerful allies. How you think can affect how you feel. And how you feel can affect your thinking. An example of this mind-body connection is how your body responds to stress. Constant worry and stress over jobs, finances or other problems can cause tense muscles, pain, headaches, and stomach problems. It may also lead to high blood pressure or other serious problems. On the other hand, constant pain or a health problem like heart disease can affect your emotions. You might become depressed, anxious, and stressed, affecting how well you treat, manage, or cope with your illness. But your mind can have a positive effect on your health, too. [...]

UNDERSTANDING THE LYMPHATIC SYSTEM/IMMUNE SYSTEM The Lymphatic System may be one of the less understood systems in our body. Many of us have heard of it in reference to being sick (swollen lymph glands in the neck, armpits, or groin) and how we need a healthy immune system to ward off colds, infections, diseases, etc, but do you know its many other functions throughout our entire body? WHY IS IT SO IMPORTANT? The Lymphatic System is a complex system made up primarily of lymph vessels and lymph nodes. The lymph is a colorless fluid that is the waste disposal system of the tissues and the lymph nodes are the battlefields in the body where most infections are fought. It [...]

CRANIOSACRAL THERAPY CAN HELP WITH TRAUMA Craniosacral therapy is a hands-on therapy that assists the body’s natural capacity for self-repair. ‘Cranio’ refers to the head or cranium and sacral to the sacrum, the big bone at the base of the spine. Maybe a better way to think of it is ‘top to bottom, as it’s a therapy that treats the whole body in each session. THE FIGHT OR FLIGHT REACTION The body is designed to protect itself from physical knocks or emotional stress by contracting. If the shock is particularly severe, prolonged, or accompanied by strong emotions, everything stays contracted, even after the moment that caused the shock is over. There’s a reason for this. You’ve probably all heard [...]

When it comes to the symptoms of menopause—both physical (hot flashes, chills, sleep changes) and mental (anxiety, irritability, depression)—finding relief can be as urgent as it is complicated. Because every person going through menopause will have differing levels of severity when it comes to their symptoms, the same goes for what will help with the issues. For some, making changes to their diet may help, while others may find aid in the form of acupuncture. But how about the alternative medicine called energy healing, also known as Reiki? As the practice becomes increasingly popular, we wondered if the centuries-old Japanese technique might also help those who are going through menopause. What is Reiki? Reiki is, in the simplest terms, “universal [...]

How surgery affects your body Surgery will cause a shock to your body in short to medium term. During your post-op, you have to deal with side effects. It’s essential for you to know that when your body is exposed to a significant trauma (surgery, liposuction, etc.), it will respond with side symptoms (side effects). Remember they are normal and are part of the healing process. But in order to get rid of them fast and have better outcomes, you should start your manual lymphatic drainage sessions as soon as you are allowed by your surgeon. Some of these side effects are: Pain in the area for some time Fatigue In some cases, loss of appetite Swelling Numbness Bruising [...]