Lymph Drainage Therapy
Boise, ID
Improve energy, immune response, and much more
Lymph Drainage Therapy with Gwen
60 Minutes: $120
75 Minutes: $150
90 Minutes: $180
120 Minutes: $240
Lymph Drainage Therapy (LDT) is a precise, hands-on method through which a practitioner can assess the movement of lymph and gently encourage, amplify, and even redirect the flow if necessary. This is done through subtle strokes directly targeting lymphatic vessels, as well as by working with connecting tissues that may be impeding the flow of lymph. Benefits can include reduced edema (swelling), relief of inflammation and skin conditions, relief from headaches and sinus congestion, tissue regeneration, improved immune function, reduction of chronic pain and symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia, general detoxification, and a sense of deep relaxation and well-being.
Most people find the gentle, rhythmic strokes of Lymph Drainage extremely relaxing and many either fall asleep or drop into a state of deep parasympathetic relaxation. Lymph Drainage activates your parasympathetic response (“rest and digest”) and diminishes the sympathetic response (“fight or flight”), so your body can rest and heal. It alleviates pain by decreasing tissue-fluid stagnation and inhibiting overactive pain receptors.
Lymph Drainage of the face can give a natural “facelift” effect. As we flush out excess fluid and trapped waste products, the skin often appears more firm, toned, even, and radiant, and your facial features can appear more symmetrical, with less puffiness, under-eye bags, and lines.
Lymph Drainage Therapy is highly recommended both pre and post-surgery. Pre-surgery, it detoxifies and prepares the tissue for surgery, decreases edema, stimulates the immune system, and promotes a cleaner surgical site. Post-surgery, it aids in detoxification, prevents infection, alleviates pain and spasms, decreases edema, increases circulation, and improves scar healing. Lymph Drainage is recommended 48-72 hours prior to surgery and as soon as 24-48 hours post-op, with physician approval. In Gwen’s practice, she has seen dramatically better results in clients who had Lymph Drainage soon after surgery versus those who come in months later.
This work is also wonderful for children and can help with many common childhood ailments and complaints, such as allergies, frequent colds or sinus infections, skin irritations, anxiety, and sleep issues.
All About Your Lymphatic System
Proper functioning of the lymphatic system is critical to almost every system of the body. If we are stressed, injured, recovering from illness or surgery, or just experiencing fatigue or the natural aging process, our lymphatic system may not be functioning optimally or may benefit from some assistance.
Your lymphatic system is comprised of the lymph nodes, ducts, vessels, and lymphatic fluid. The lymphatic system functions hand-in-hand with the cardiovascular system to return fluid to the heart. Excess fluid in your body’s tissue is collected by small lymph capillaries and moved through progressively larger vessels, then filtered by the lymph nodes and returned to the cardiovascular system via the thoracic duct.
Unlike the cardiovascular system, the lymphatic system does not have a central pump, like the heart, to circulate lymph. The movement of lymph is dependent on one-way valves and tiny spiral muscle units called lymphangions in the larger vessels, along with capillary (or suction) action and the contraction of your diaphragm and skeletal muscles when you breathe and move. This is why it is easy for our lymphatic circulation to become stagnant with inactivity, illness, or injury.
How Lymph Drainage Can Help
Lymph Drainage Therapy gives the lymphatic system an assist by directly stimulating the movement of lymph, while also encouraging the gentle pumping and capillary actions of the lymph vessels. These techniques can increase the rate of lymph flow by up to twenty times. This not only helps move lymph but, by opening up tissues and creating space in the body, it allows for better circulation and movement throughout. Many clients are surprised at how much muscle tension is relieved through the subtle touch of Lymph Drainage techniques.
The lymphatic system is the body’s way of clearing out toxins, metabolic wastes, and excess fluid. Lymph nodes are the small, bean-shaped organs that filter and concentrate the lymph before it is returned to the blood supply. Immune cells in the lymph nodes, called macrophages, break down foreign substances, so they can be flushed out by the body. The lymph nodes also help your body fight infection by capturing and destroying or disabling microbes and producing and maturing lymphocytes (white blood cells). Lymphocyte production increases when we increase the flow of lymph through the lymph nodes, which is why Lymph Drainage Therapy increases immunity, especially specific immunity.
There are 400-700 lymph nodes in the human body, concentrated in the abdomen, front of the neck, and the joints of the body. Lymph nodes that are overworked or congested can become swollen, painful, and even tender to the touch. Lymph Drainage Therapy can help alleviate this congestion and the accompanying pain and stiffness, and encourage more efficient functioning of the lymphatic system. Getting lymphatic work is beneficial for both immediate relief and long-term health.
Ongoing Benefits
The beauty of Lymph Drainage Therapy is that it is working even if you don’t feel it working and it keeps working long after your session. Your body will maintain the increased rate of lymph flow for 24-48 hours after your session – many people say they wake up the next day or the day after feeling remarkably better or with symptoms completely improved. You will continue to experience the benefits of your lymphatic system being cleared out and functioning more effectively for weeks after treatment.
With continued treatments, we can find more areas of stagnation and gently encourage them out so your body functions better. Lymph Drainage treats the whole body by focusing on the lymphatic pathways to help improve circulation where the body needs it most. It reduces toxins and waste and relieves swelling and inflammation, which improves how you look and feel overall. If you want a healthier immune system and deeper relaxation than what you get from traditional massage or other lymphatic work, Lymph Drainage is a great option.