The lymphatic system is a complex
network of ducts and vessels that transfer white blood cells and antibodies to
your organs and tissues. These cells and antibodies arm your immune system and
help your body combat infections. Unlike the circulatory system, which uses the
heart to pump blood to vital organs and tissues, the lymph system must rely on
hundreds of muscular units, your body movements, and water intake to move the
lymph through the vessels. Normal lymph movement in the body can be
reduced by stress, fatigue, inactivity, cold temperatures, infection, chemical
or food additives, even one's age and heredity.
Lymphatic Drainage and Facial Massage can Help Sinus Infections and Allergies
This is where lymphatic drainage
massage comes into play. It's basically a type of holistic therapy that gives
your lymphatic system a "tune up." By manually stimulating the
increased flow of lymphatic fluid, it can reinvigorate your immune system
and sweep out harmful toxins.
Using very light rhythmic massage to
increase circulation and lymphatic flow, lymphatic drainage therapy
concentrates on specific lymph nodes under the jaw line.
The main lymph nodes
for facelift massage are pea size and under the mandible. During a face
massage, muscles are "pre-warmed" and the lymph nodes stimulated to
open and enhance circulatory and lymphatic flow. A skilled therapist will use
his or her hands to feel the body's lymphatic rhythm, direction, depth, and
quality. This helps the therapist assess the overall lymphatic circulation
and the best way to drain stagnant fluids.
Lymphatic drainage massage can be
helpful in addressing a wide range of conditions. It can reduce fatigue,
menstrual cramps, cellulite and water retention, even sinusitis and hayfever
allergies. When one suffers from hayfever, the body's immune system goes into
high gear as it over reacts to pollen, mold spores or other foreign body
invaders. The result is irritation and inflammation of the sinuses. Lymphatic
drainage massage through sinus tapping can relieve these hayfever symptoms.
For those suffering from sinus
infections, Lymphatic drainage procedures can remove much of this congestive
material from around the facial area. It allows the body's own healing
system to do what it is intended to do.
What of the many antibiotics and
topical nasal steroids on the market? Do they offer relief from sinusitis?
A
four-year year randomized non-pharmaceutically funded double-blind,
placebo-controlled trial* conducted in 2007 revealed some interesting conclusions.
They concluded that 90 percent of the antibiotics and topical nasal spray
steroids prescriptions written by doctors for sinusitis sufferers in the study
showed no clinically useful effect. Studies also revealed that three
meta-analyses have found no evidence for superior effectiveness of any
particular class of antibiotics in acute sinusitis over any other, making it
unlikely that a different antibiotic would have produced different results.
Finally, the use of antibiotics or topical steroids- used alone or in
combination - was ineffective as a treatment for acute sinusitis in the primary
care setting.
Lymphatic drainage massage should
only be used on the advice of a medical doctor and is not intended as a
substitute for medical care or as a therapy to cure or prevent diseases.
*Journal of American Medical
Association Vol.298 No.21, December 5, 2007 :2487-2496
If you would like to book an appointment for Lymphatic Drainage Therapy to help you with your sinus infection or minimize symptoms and congestion from allergies- call to book an appointment. 727-502-3464.
Visit our website for more information about the lympahtic system.
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