Additional Ways to Encourage Lymph Movement:

Looking for other ways to encourage lymphatic flow? Here are some things to add to your routine:

Stretching

When our muscles are tight and stiff, blood and lymph circulation can be significantly impeded. Stretching the body and increasing mobility helps take pressure off of lymph vessels, promoting healthy flow.

Joint Movements

The lymphatic system does not have a central pump (like the heart in the cardiovascular system) to help move the fluid through the body. The lymph vessels are pumped through movement and muscle contraction. The body has also strategically placed congregations o

f lymph nodes in areas of high movement, such as the joints. Engaging in activities like marching in place, butt kicks, arm circles, and neck circles will help stimulate the joints where important lymph nodes are located. Exercise in general will help lymphatic flow.

Jumping

Jumping is a terrific way to increase whole body lymph flow. The fluctuation between the "anti-gravity" effect that occurs when you're in the air and the pressure caused by landing back down helps to open and close the lymph vessel flaps. You can either get off the

ground in rhythmic jumps or stay on the ground with rhythmic bounces on your toes. The key here is the keep the body nice and relaxed while jumping. You can let your arms flop around by your sides as you jump or you can hold them above your head. You can also incorporate exercises like jump rope and rebounding!

Deep Belly Breathing

By engaging the diaphragm during breathing, you are stimulating an important chain of lymph vessels in the abdomen, called the cisterna chyli. This is an important checkpoint of lymph movement from the lower body to the upper body where the fluid ultimately drains. You want to make sure to puff the belly out when you breathe in, and compress the belly back in when you breathe out. While deep breathing, you may also engage the abdominal muscles, rib cage, and chest. By using all of these structures, you are pumping the lymph vessels.

Hydration

Think about a stream of water in the forest. When there's a drought, the stream dries up and the amount of water flowing reduces. Conversely, when there's a big rainstorm, the stream flows freely. The same concept can be applied to our lymphatic vessels. When we are dehydrated, the lymph becomes stagnant. If you want the benefits that come with a healthy flowing lymphatic system, stay hydrated!