The Sydney Morning Herald atrtical by Jessica Harris on July the 10th
lymphatic drainage massage was first promoted as a therapy in the ’30s by Dr Emil Vodder, a Dane who discovered that working on the swollen lymph nodes on the face and neck of his patients had a dramatic effect in decongesting the sinuses, eliminating inflammation, reducing headaches and even improving facial blemishes.
The lymphatic system also needs a little self-help to move in the right direction. “The lymphatic vessel walls contain smooth muscle tissue, which contract to push lymph fluid towards the lymph nodes,” explains Tom Cowan, an exercise physiologist.
“However, unlike the cardiovascular system for which the heart acts as the pump, the lymphatic system doesn’t have anything to push lymph fluid through the vessels.”By relying on nearby muscles to contract and pass the fluid along, Cowan says moving the body is vital. “Obesity has been linked to lymphatic dysfunction, so following a healthy diet and exercise plan is vital.”
Jules Willcocks, the co-founder of Body Ballancer Systems UK, whose specialist lymphatic massage system is used in outlets such as Harrods. Warns that ignoring our lymphatic wellbeing could lead to myriad problems. “Lifestyle causes such as stress, not enough exercise, dehydration and poor diet are just some of the reasons why your lymphatic system can become blocked or overrun. Add to this the exposure of pollutants and toxins that are part and parcel of modern human life and it’s easy to see why a system designed to manage mostly metabolic waste can easily be overburdened. This can then lead to swelling, cellulite, bloating, joint pain and fatigue and potentially put you at risk of serious disease.”