Osteopathy and Lymphatic Drainage
Osteopathy is a holistic way of assessing and treating the body to improve overall health. It takes into account all body systems and all layers of tissue. When comparing these body systems, the lymphatic system tends to get the least amount of time in the spotlight. However, it plays an important role in the removal of waste and toxins from your body as well as with immune function. When impaired, the lack of lymphatic drainage can result in edema/swelling, chronic inflammation, changes in skin(acne, dryness), reduced immune function, as well as other potential health concerns.
We want our lymphatic system to be like a stream, always flowing with clean water. If there is a block in a stream, a little pool can build up and when water sits in a little pool instead of flowing, it can start to get muddy. So, how does Osteopathy help with lymphatic drainage? Two ways. The first one, is unblocking the pool so that it becomes a nice clean flowing stream again. In treatment, this is looking for any structural misalignment that could be impeding the flow through lymphatic vessels and restoring its alignment and movement. The second, is ensuring the fluid pumping mechanisms in the body that keep the stream flowing are functional. Unlike the arterial system, where the blood is pumped around the body by the heart, the lymphatic system largely relies on muscular pumps to affect the pressure gradients to move the fluid. In treatment, this includes ensuring all structures that act as diaphragms, which are largely responsible for maintaining proper fluid dynamics in the body, and their associated structures, are functional.
Who can benefit from Osteopathy when it comes to lymphatic drainage? Whether you have a laundry list of health conditions, or you’re feeling healthy and well, osteopathy can improve your lymphatic drainage and be beneficial for your health. If you fall into the first category, using the methods described above, osteopathy can help turn your lymphatic system back into the clean flowing stream that it needs to be to function properly. If you fall into the second category, then one of the incredible things about osteopathy is that it can help to build up the health in the body before anything goes wrong. That way if a health concern, condition, or even just a common cold comes up, the body will be at its peak potential to maintain function and health.
