Lymphatic Health - Part 1: What is it? Inflammation, Tattoos, and Alzheimer's Disease

Conditions lymphatic drainage can help with

Edema. Swelling. Fluid retention. Sinusitis. Congestion. Puffy eyes. Allergy symptoms. Ear aches and fluid in ears. Eczema. Bruises. Brain fog. Long covid symptoms. Reduces scar tissue including C -Section pouch, and fibrosis. Lessens post surgery recovery time. Lessens pain. Increases efficiency in digestion and elimination systems. Calms nervous system.

Lymphatics content is everywhere! Why? Because recent research indicates that a healthy lymphatic system is crucial to reducing inflammation, and aids in improving skin vibrancy. Inflammation has been linked with many chronic conditions. Recent research has also determined that lymphatic vessels play an important role in neuroinflammatory diseases such as MS. Other research suggests, a well draining lymphatic system could slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.

Publications, TikTok, FB, Instagram…. There’s a huge gap in education and content creation out there. A large number of influencers, usually educated in skin care, focus solely on cosmetic treatments for people in good health. Their guidance is not complete/accurate for those who have chronic conditions or medical/ health needs.

I am trained in the Vodder technique of lymphatic drainage. I chose the Vodder technique because it’s clinical grade and has been extensively researched. I give myself lymphatic treatments every day. Self-agency in health has always been my personal goal. My goals for you are to 1) aid in your long-term health, 2) help you move and feel better, 3) unclog your lymphatic system so it can function optimally, and 4) educate and empower you to maintain your own health.

Strangely enough, the lymphatic system was more or less ignored by the American medical community, until 25 years ago.  A big shout out to my good friend Wendy Chaite, who founded the Lymphatic Education and Research Network in 1998, in response to the lack of medical knowledge and care available to her daughter, Melanie, who was born with primary lymphedema. Among other renowned lymphatic endeavors and accomplishments, Wendy secured NIH lymphatics research grants in 2004, catapulting lymphatics medical research.

Let’s dive deep into this topic. Part 1, today’s letter, explores inflammation, tattoos, and lymphatics’ relationship with Alzheimer’s disease. Part 2’s letter will include lots of goodies on self-treating your lymphatic system at home. Part 3’s letter – How craniosacral treatment augments the benefits of lymphatic drainage.

What does the lymphatic system do? In simple terms:

Reduces swelling/ fluid retention. Absorbs fats from digestive tract. Produces lymphocytes - white blood cells which identify and destroy invaders. Transports and removes waste products to be eliminated. The lymphatic system is made up of vessels which run alongside blood vessels and which carry immune cells and waste to lymph nodes. Lymphatic vessels extend into the brain’s meninges, which are membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord.

Inflammation- a Basic discussion

“Inflammation is a normal physiological defense against pathogen infection and tissue damage and it quickly ends under normal circumstances. However, in many chronic conditions, the inflammatory response continues and leads to significant tissue and organ damage. Recently, increasing evidences have shown that the abnormal inflammatory response is closely associated with many chronic diseases, especially in autoimmune diseases.” NIH, published 2/28/2019. The lymphatic system reduces inflammation by draining fluids and cells from the affected area and returning it to the bloodstream for use or elimination.

I have a few autoimmune conditions. Autoimmune conditions are rampant among women. Mine are leaky gut, Hashimoto’s disease, lichen sclerosis, and vitiligo. Plus, I have a high sensitivity to Oxalates. Oxalates are natural compounds found in fruits, vegetables, nuts, and grains.

Through changes in diet, supplements, yoga, emotional therapy, walking, and self -administered craniosacral and lymphatic drainage, I am effectively managing these conditions. Because of my daily commitment to my health, I am doing well.

I know that sounds like a lot of work, and it is. I was so sick that I had no choice, but to choose me. These conditions serve as constant reminders to take care of myself, because flare ups happen when I am not doing that. And lymphatic drainage is crucial in resetting my system when I get off track such as having too much sugar or alcohol, or poor sleep. Draining my lymphatic system quickly reduces the onset of swelling, brain fog and fluid retention.

Tattoos

Tattoos are beautiful and expressive! Like everything we put on our skin and into our bodies, we need to be conscious of impact. Research shows that tattoo ink and tattoo needle shards can be found in lymph nodes. This can cause an inflammatory process that can result in fibrosis. Fibrosis is the thickening and scarring of connective tissue. Lymphatic health maintenance is super important because ink and shards in the lymph nodes, put a drag on the lymphatic system.  Read the next Letter – Lymphatics Part 2 for self- care at home.

Current Developments in Lymphatic System’s Relationship with Alzheimer’s Disease

It’s an exciting time in lymphatics research! Below, to ensure accuracy, is a cut and paste summary from an NIH study, published 4/28/2021.

“Enhancing the brain’s lymphatic system when administering immunotherapies may lead to better clinical outcomes for Alzheimer’s disease patients, according to a new study in mice. 

Abnormal buildup of amyloid-beta is one hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease. The brain’s lymphatic drainage system, which removes cellular debris and other waste, plays an important part in that accumulation.

For this study, the research team sought to determine whether changing how well the lymphatic drainage works in the brain could affect the levels of amyloid-beta and the success of antibody treatments that target amyloid-beta.

Mice with less functional lymphatic systems had greater buildup of amyloid-beta plaques and of other immune cells that cause inflammation, which is another factor in Alzheimer’s pathology. Moreover, when the researchers compared immune cells in the brains of human Alzheimer’s patients with those of the mice whose meningeal lymphatic system had been diminished, they found that the genetic fingerprints of certain immune cells in the brain, the microglia, were very similar between people with the disease and mice with defective lymphatic vessels.”

More studies like this are in progress. I will keep you updated on their findings.

Contact Me

Questions about your situation? Please contact me. Let’s discuss your health needs and how I can serve you.

With me, you will always get accurate, clinical level lymphatic protocols, honest education, and simple take home tools geared towards your particular needs. It is my honor to walk alongside you, on your journey to wholeness.

Kim Ellner