Lyme Disease, the Lymphatic System and Massage

What is the Lymphatic System?

The function of our blood is to transport oxygen, nourishment, waste products, hormones, and enzymes to and from all the cells of our body. It does this through filtration. Filtration is the circulation of fluid into the connective tissue from the bloodstream. Resorption is the emptying of fluid from the connective tissue back to the blood. The lymphatic system picks up what cannot be absorbed back into the bloodstream. It is responsible for collecting waste, protein, water, dust, dye, hormones, some fats, dead cells, and pathogens (this is called the Lymph Obligatory Load/LOL). Once the lymphatic vessels have carried the LOL to the lymph nodes and ducts, it is cleaned and returned to the heart.

How does the Lymphatic System move?

Through Auxiliary pumps such as: 

•  Muscular/skeletal movement 

•  Respiration 

•  Pulsation of the blood vessels 

•  Peristalsis = the movement of the digestive system (chewing, swallowing, digestion, expelling. If this is not moving (i.e. constipation), the lymph system is not active. The lymph system aides digestion; the digestive system aides lymph flow. 

•  Hydrostatic pressure (pressure from water) without temperature 

•  Temperature (temperature/heat will increase all flow, including blood pressure, so it is contra-indicated with during or after MLD or with edema/swelling. 

•  Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD)

The Small Intestine

Our small intestines are a significant source of lymphatic tissue. Also known as gut-associated lymphoid tissue. If you recall from anatomy class, the small intestines are about 20 feet long, and this is where we absorb most of our essential nutrients. It also functions as a barrier that separates these nutrients from a long list of harmful particles, including bacteria. With this understanding, our digestive system is becoming more of a focus when healing our bodies and creating balance. It is quite literally communicating with our immune system and endocrine system to assess and react. We rely heavily on this process to fight against and survive things such as Lyme Disease.

Lyme Disease and The Lymphatic System

When we introduce anything to our bodies is recognized as harmful (such as Lyme disease-causing bacteria), a full-blown, full-body inflammatory response occurs in defense. Anyone with Lyme disease and many other inflammatory illnesses is familiar with this type of reaction. It is painful, draining, and debilitating.

A bacteria, Borrelia Burgdorferi, cause Lyme disease, and is linked to a clogged Lymphatic system. Unfortunately for those suffering from it, the inflammatory responses and our body fighting this stealth microbe is not enough to kill it off. Instead, it is a state of co-existence and causes significant discomfort. In this process, our Lymphatic system is compromised and weakened, and then our body starts to have an autoimmune response. This response is why it is crucial to address the lymphatic system when addressing Lyme.

Massage, Manual Lymphatic Drainage and Lyme

The Lymphatic system, as discussed, needs help to move along in its process to filter and fight, attack and kill, to purify the body. Some specific bodywork techniques and services can help aide the Lymphatic system in recovery, drainage, functioning, and overall health.

Our bodies are affected differently by Lyme, but much of the feelings are consistent. There are many ways to activate and maintain the Lymphatic flow. All treatment conversations and decisions should start with your doctor, and you may want approval, including lifestyle decisions that help you along the way.

Examples: physical activity, supplement and nutritional support, massage therapy and other none medical treatments.

It is important to remember that all of these things work together as a whole-body approach and require balance.

Massage Therapy

The long-term benefits of massage therapy are much more than a relaxing activity for the day. Massage therapy promotes better circulation throughout the body. Poor circulation can cause you to suffer in a lot of ways. Some of which could be related to much more significant issues in the body. Proper circulation not only cycles oxygen-rich blood that promotes healing, but it also stimulates our body to function better, as discussed. Massage facilitates circulation by applied pressure and natural systematic flow returning throughout the body. It helps flush out metabolic waste away from muscles and internal organs, thus improving bodily functions.

Manual Lymphatic Drainage or “MLD”

(MLD) is a technique designed to effectively increase the function of the Lymphatic system by creating a manual pump. This technique is a light, rhythmic movement on the skin. The lymphatic system transports typically 1.5 liters of lymph fluid back into the blood per day. With MLD influence, you can increase that my 10x, meaning 15-20 liters of lymph, can return to the blood per day. The process of the lymphatic system helps regulates digestion, blood purification, infection responses, inflammation reduction, and more. It is one of the most crucial parts of the human body when it comes to fighting against foreign invaders such as Lyme Disease. 

How does this work? 

Manual Lymphatic Drainage [MLD] is a very unique and very gentle type of surface-level skin massage technique that promotes the lymphatic system to drain. 

How does it feel? 

Unlike traditional massage, you do not feel the pressure. It is a slow, rhythmic technique that, at first, may feel as if you are not receiving treatment at all, but it is a low impact on the body. 

Are there side effects and/or precautions? 

It is a good idea to discuss this treatment with your doctor. Especially, if you have any of the following health issues: heart diseases, blood clots, kidney problems, infections, acute/chronic inflammation, malignant disease, allergic reactions, thrombosis, asthmatic bronchial attacks, hyperactive thyroid, low blood pressure, treated cancer, or circulation problems. But, overall the treatment is relaxing once you settle into it, and you may even fall asleep! 

The Effects of MLD

MLD directly affects the autonomic nervous system, the sympathetic (fight or flight response), and the parasympathetic (the rest and digest). The "sympathetic" is your response to stress. Stress comes in many forms. Most often, in our day-to-day routines.
Your "parasympathetic" is the only state that your body can rebuild and repair itself. Thy parasympathetic state is the only state where digestion is at its optimal, and the smooth muscles of the tiny blood and lymph vessels can expand to full capacity, as well as the bladder and the large intestine.

The Sympatholytic Effect – This is the relaxation effect, MLD relaxes the smooth muscle, found in every blood vessel (including the heart) as well as the lymph vessels, bladder, and large intestine. By maintaining the monotonous, slow, light, MLD rhythm and having a complete release in between each stroke will calm down the sympathetic nervous system allowing for pure relaxation of the body.

This relaxation works directly on chronic diseases, helping with recovery and recuperation, stress disorders, and sleep disorders. The relaxation of the smooth muscles in the blood capillaries helps with circulatory disturbances such as Raynaud’s, and with the smooth muscle of the colon in constipation.

The Immunologic Effect- MLD works directly with the immune system. MLD improves the delivery of our defense mechanisms and immune response. MLD moves pathogens out of the tissues and into the lymph nodes. The lymph nodes will do their job and filter out the pathogens.

Drainage Effect- MLD will increase in the flow of lymph fluids and decongest the body. In return, the nutrient flow will increase within our cells. When our cells get all the nourishment they need, there is much less degeneration and mutation of cells that can occur (cancer cells, free radical chains).

In Conclusion 

It is crucial to stay hydrated when doing massage therapy, MLD, or any detox method—drinking plenty of water before and after your treatments. 

You may also want to consider alkalizing your water with lemon to help with energy levels, electrolytes, and metabolic functions. Many of those who suffer from Lyme are already familiar with this for assisting with Herx Responses. There is such a thing as detoxing too much. Always consult your doctor.

There is much more information out there on MLD, and I am happy to discuss the process further. All you have to do is ask. Let me help you with the potential to live in a body free from chronic pain, tension, and stress.