Signs Of Lymphatic Congestion

The lymphatic system is a critical part of our circulatory and immune system. It's responsible for eliminating toxins, waste, and excess fluid as well as moving white blood cells around the body to fight infection. Exposure to too many toxins, lack of sleep, dehydration, stress and lack of movement can overload the lymphatic system causing it to fight gravity and become clogged & congested over time. When the lymphatic system becomes congested, toxins fight to be eliminated resulting in bodily signs and symptoms. Below are some common signs of lymphatic congestion and the best way to get things flowing again.

Acne: Lymph stagnation tends to build up around our lymph nodes. When these toxins surround our neck, jawline, and ear area - a “toxic traffic-jam” leads to a breakout. Not to mention, lymph is the main transport for progesterone throughout the body. If your lymph is not flowing properly, progesterone will not be able to get to where it needs to go – which will contribute to monthly hormonal acne.

How to fix it:  Stimulating drainage in the lymph nodes by a regular Gua Sha routine. By creating a daily practice of Gua Sha, symptoms of a congested lymphatic system can be dramatically reduced, improving the skin’s appearance. 

Water Retention: A poorly working lymphatic system causes tissues to become swollen with fluid. This is called lymphedema. It commonly results in swelling in your arms, legs & mid-section due to water retention. 

How to fix it: Dry brushing promotes lymphatic drainage of toxic waste, which results in many benefits including reducing water retention and eliminating toxic build-up on the skin's surface. Start a daily habit of dry skin brushing a few minutes before your shower or bath using our all-natural bristle brush. 

Brain Fog: Brain function relies on healthy blood cells and an elimination of toxins. And if your body can’t do that through the lymphatic system, it causes issues in cognitive ability. Our body’s and our minds are linked. What happens in one place affects the other.

How to fix it: Start with your gut. The brain-gut connection goes hand in hand with lymph health. A sluggish digestive tract contributes to congestion within the lymphatic system, so good gut health is fundamental for lymphatic flow. Maintaining gut health requires removing factors that cause irritation and imbalance and balancing the microbiome within the gut by follow a nutrient-dense, anti-inflammatory diet that is individualized for your unique needs and sensitivities. 

Fatigue: When our system isn’t in balance, it drains our body’s systems. As this happens, it zaps our energy and leaves us wishing we could crawl under a blanket and stay there the rest of the day. If you can’t seem to shake a bout of fatigue, it could relate to lymph blockage.

How to fix it: Lymphatic drainage massage. LDM assists your body in clearing sluggish tissues of waste and toxins. Freeing these vessel pathways, LDM gently encourages lymph flow and detoxification resulting in an increase in energy levels.

Headache: When there is swelling in the head region due to a lack of proper lymphatic drainage, pressure increases causing a headache. The lymphatic system is also how the cerebrospinal fluid naturally drains out of the brain taking with it waste byproducts and allowing room for new fluid to be produced.

How to fix it: Stay Hydrated! Lymph fluid is about 95 percent water and becomes thicker and less fluid when you are dehydrated. Staying hydrated contributes to reducing headaches and speeds up waste removal from the body. 

 *As with any new detoxification regimens, be sure to check with your physician before making changes that are appropriate for you.