I have been traveling a fair amount this summer already, and have three trips planned for August. (Oh, my!)
In June, I went to Philadelphia to be a Teaching Assistant (TA) for a Lymph Drainage Therapy (LDT) 2 class. I TA LDT classes to help others learn the techniques as well as to hone my skills.
I took two classes in July in Florida: one was learning how to release physical trauma to the brain (see article below) and the other was to renew my certification for Lymphedema Bandaging (my LLCC credential).
In August, two of my trips are for personal/family reasons. The other will be to TA another LDT2 class in Reston, VA.
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Treating Brain Trauma
This was the first in a series of four classes on working on the brain. It is only open to advanced students of Lymph Drainage Therapy, CranioSacral Therapy and Visceral Manipulation curricula taught by the Upledger Institute.
What Does This Work Entail?
The technique is very gentle. The pressure should always be comfortable. This work is done with the client fully clothed. The work is done almost exclusively on the head; the final step may involve working on the spinal cord, which can be done over the clothing.
Who's a Candidate for This Work?
Anyone who has suffered some type of trauma to the head: This can be birth trauma, a concussion, hitting your head when you fall, being hit in the head or face by an object, or surgery.
Since the brain controls all of our functions, this work is beneficial for many disorders: balance, vision, hearing, sleep, memory, body temperature control problems, to mention just a few.
I personally experienced an improvement in my ability to balance on one foot while taking this class. One student worked on someone with early onset Alzheimer's on a weekly basis. That client experienced an improvement in short term memory.
What Does This Work Entail?
The technique is very gentle. The pressure should always be comfortable. This work is done with the client fully clothed. The work is done almost exclusively on the head; the final step may involve working on the spinal cord, which can be done over the clothing.
Who's a Candidate for This Work?
Anyone who has suffered some type of trauma to the head: This can be birth trauma, a concussion, hitting your head when you fall, being hit in the head or face by an object, or surgery.
Since the brain controls all of our functions, this work is beneficial for many disorders: balance, vision, hearing, sleep, memory, body temperature control problems, to mention just a few.
I personally experienced an improvement in my ability to balance on one foot while taking this class. One student worked on someone with early onset Alzheimer's on a weekly basis. That client experienced an improvement in short term memory.
What is Lymph Drainage Therapy?
Lymph Drainage Therapy (LDT) is one of a variety of similar techniques that work the Lymphatic System of the body. It is characterized by very light touch, rhythmic strokes which stretch the skin rather than gliding over the skin, and a release of the streched skin. Each stroke consists of two parts: the stretch and the release. Each storke part lasts the same amount of time. The strokes vary in length from 1 second, 6 seconds, 10 seconds, 20 seconds and even longer, depending on the purpose of the stroke.
The other major lymph drainage techniques used in the United States are the Dr. Vodder Manual Lymph Drainage technique or Vodder technique. (The difference between these two is that the Dr. Vodder technique is taught by the direct-line school created by Dr. Vodder; the Vodder technique is taught by schools that have made some changes to the Dr. Vodder technique, so are no longer in the direct line.)
What Benefits Can I Expect From a Lymph Drainage Therapy Session?
Because if the rhythmic nature of the technique and the very light touch, people find it extremely relaxing. In fact, I often have my clients fall asleep when I am doing LDT on them, more so than all the other massages I give.
But, not only is it relaxing, it is very therapeutic. It is an excellent technique to relieve pain and soreness in joints and in muscles, reduce fluid retention (edema), improve range of motion where there is a restriction, improve the immune system, detoxify the body, decrease wrinkles, help relieve the symptoms of chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia. In conjunction with bandaging, lymph drainage is the gold star treatment for Lymphedema. It can be helpful in treating many other conditions, too numerous to mention here.
One additional use would be to have a session or two a couple of days before and after surgery. The benefit of having some LDT prior to surgery would be to reduce the amount of fluid within the tissues. This can result in a "cleaner" incision and less fluid leakage into the surgical area. The benefit of having sessions after surgery is to help the body rid itself of the edema (swelling) around the surgical area. This helps the incision to heal more quickly and also to help reduce the possibilty of infection.
What Is The Lymphatic System?
The Lymphatic System is a component of the circulatory system and consists of lymphatic vessels (similar to blood vessels), lymph nodes, lymph fluid. The circulatory system has one pathway for blood to leave the heart (arteries) and two ways for it (blood and components of the blood) to return to the heart (veins and lymph vessels). Many of the lymph vessels parallel the arteries and veins.
Lymph fluid is that portion of the interstitial fluid between cells of tissues (muscles, organs, etc.) that is pulled into the lymph vessels. The veins also carry away a large portion of this interstitial fluid. Lymph consists of water, proteins, fats, minerals (such as calcium, zinc, sodium, etc.), a variety of free cells (variety of blood cell types and immune cells), various hormones and a variety of waste products.
The lymph vessels connect to a succession of lymph nodes. The lymph nodes filter out excess water and harmful substances, and forms some white blood cells (which fight infection).
The lymphoid organs consist of the Thymus, the tonsils, and the spleen. These, along with the lymph nodes, play an important role in the immune system of the body. They either make or mature the cells that fight infection. So, a healthy, well functioning lymph system will enable your body to fight off infections and diseases more quickly and keep you healthier.
The lymph vessels join together until one lymph vessel on each side of the body connects to the veins close to the heart, thereby returning all the substances in the lymph fluid to the general circulation to later be processed by other systems of the body.
______________________________________________________________
Sources:
1. Chikly, Bruno, M.D., D.O. (Honorary). Silent Waves: Theory and Practice of Lymph Drainage Therapy, First Edition, Revised. I.H.H. Publishing, Scottsdale, Arizona. 2002.
2. Thibodeau, Gary and Patton, Kevin. The Human Body in Health and Disease, Fourth Edition. Elsevier Mosby, St. Louis, MO. 2006.
3. Chikly, Bruno, M.D., D.O. (Honorary). Study Guides for LDT1,LDT2, LDT3, and LDT Advanced1. Upledger Institute, Palm Beach Gardens, FL. Various years.
The other major lymph drainage techniques used in the United States are the Dr. Vodder Manual Lymph Drainage technique or Vodder technique. (The difference between these two is that the Dr. Vodder technique is taught by the direct-line school created by Dr. Vodder; the Vodder technique is taught by schools that have made some changes to the Dr. Vodder technique, so are no longer in the direct line.)
What Benefits Can I Expect From a Lymph Drainage Therapy Session?
Because if the rhythmic nature of the technique and the very light touch, people find it extremely relaxing. In fact, I often have my clients fall asleep when I am doing LDT on them, more so than all the other massages I give.
But, not only is it relaxing, it is very therapeutic. It is an excellent technique to relieve pain and soreness in joints and in muscles, reduce fluid retention (edema), improve range of motion where there is a restriction, improve the immune system, detoxify the body, decrease wrinkles, help relieve the symptoms of chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia. In conjunction with bandaging, lymph drainage is the gold star treatment for Lymphedema. It can be helpful in treating many other conditions, too numerous to mention here.
One additional use would be to have a session or two a couple of days before and after surgery. The benefit of having some LDT prior to surgery would be to reduce the amount of fluid within the tissues. This can result in a "cleaner" incision and less fluid leakage into the surgical area. The benefit of having sessions after surgery is to help the body rid itself of the edema (swelling) around the surgical area. This helps the incision to heal more quickly and also to help reduce the possibilty of infection.
What Is The Lymphatic System?
The Lymphatic System is a component of the circulatory system and consists of lymphatic vessels (similar to blood vessels), lymph nodes, lymph fluid. The circulatory system has one pathway for blood to leave the heart (arteries) and two ways for it (blood and components of the blood) to return to the heart (veins and lymph vessels). Many of the lymph vessels parallel the arteries and veins.
Lymph fluid is that portion of the interstitial fluid between cells of tissues (muscles, organs, etc.) that is pulled into the lymph vessels. The veins also carry away a large portion of this interstitial fluid. Lymph consists of water, proteins, fats, minerals (such as calcium, zinc, sodium, etc.), a variety of free cells (variety of blood cell types and immune cells), various hormones and a variety of waste products.
The lymph vessels connect to a succession of lymph nodes. The lymph nodes filter out excess water and harmful substances, and forms some white blood cells (which fight infection).
The lymphoid organs consist of the Thymus, the tonsils, and the spleen. These, along with the lymph nodes, play an important role in the immune system of the body. They either make or mature the cells that fight infection. So, a healthy, well functioning lymph system will enable your body to fight off infections and diseases more quickly and keep you healthier.
The lymph vessels join together until one lymph vessel on each side of the body connects to the veins close to the heart, thereby returning all the substances in the lymph fluid to the general circulation to later be processed by other systems of the body.
______________________________________________________________
Sources:
1. Chikly, Bruno, M.D., D.O. (Honorary). Silent Waves: Theory and Practice of Lymph Drainage Therapy, First Edition, Revised. I.H.H. Publishing, Scottsdale, Arizona. 2002.
2. Thibodeau, Gary and Patton, Kevin. The Human Body in Health and Disease, Fourth Edition. Elsevier Mosby, St. Louis, MO. 2006.
3. Chikly, Bruno, M.D., D.O. (Honorary). Study Guides for LDT1,LDT2, LDT3, and LDT Advanced1. Upledger Institute, Palm Beach Gardens, FL. Various years.
Questions from Clients Regarding LDT
What Causes My Lymph Vessels and/or Nodes to become congested?
There are several reasons for the lymphatic system to become clogged: the primary ones are trauma and inflamation and the concentration of their effects within the lymphatic system.
What Can I Do At Home to Prevent My Lymph Vessels and Lymph Nodes Open and Prevent them from Becoming Congesting?
Wearing tight clothing (such as jeans, tight bras, and tight elasticized banding at legs and waist of underpants, belts) compresses the lymph vessels and nodes, not allowing the fluid to move through them. So, loosen those belts and waistbands; wear looser clothing; and for the ladies, be fitted for a better size bra.
Deep breathing helps to keep the lymph fluid flowing, especially through the chest and abdominal areas. The Lymph System has no pump to move the lymph (such as the heart for the circulatory system); it relies heavily upon the contraction of muscles around it to force the fluid to move. When you breath deeply, filling your lungs from top to bottom, you are using many muscles: the diaphragm, muscles between the ribs, as well as the abdominal muscles. This then "pumps" the lymph fluid through its vessels in the abdominal cavity and the in the chest.
Exercise also moves the lymph, for the same reason as deep breathing: the contraction of muscles.
Another technique to keep the lymph fluid from becoming congested is dry brushing. Using a natural bristle body brush, you want to brush the skin in the direction of the lymph flow: generally in the direction of the heart. You want to use a dry brush; however, if it scratches/hurts too much, you can wet it slightly; but, only wet the brush until you can tolerate the dry brushing. This dry brushing is good for detoxing and for the skin.
Let the Lymph Flow!
What is the Feasability/Effectiveness of LDT Without Bandaging for treating Lymphedema?
If the client is unwilling to be wrapped to reduce the degree of Lymphedema, then the manual treatment (the LDT) becomes less effective in reducing the size of the limb. The LDT then is more for the client's comfort.
There are several reasons for the lymphatic system to become clogged: the primary ones are trauma and inflamation and the concentration of their effects within the lymphatic system.
What Can I Do At Home to Prevent My Lymph Vessels and Lymph Nodes Open and Prevent them from Becoming Congesting?
Wearing tight clothing (such as jeans, tight bras, and tight elasticized banding at legs and waist of underpants, belts) compresses the lymph vessels and nodes, not allowing the fluid to move through them. So, loosen those belts and waistbands; wear looser clothing; and for the ladies, be fitted for a better size bra.
Deep breathing helps to keep the lymph fluid flowing, especially through the chest and abdominal areas. The Lymph System has no pump to move the lymph (such as the heart for the circulatory system); it relies heavily upon the contraction of muscles around it to force the fluid to move. When you breath deeply, filling your lungs from top to bottom, you are using many muscles: the diaphragm, muscles between the ribs, as well as the abdominal muscles. This then "pumps" the lymph fluid through its vessels in the abdominal cavity and the in the chest.
Exercise also moves the lymph, for the same reason as deep breathing: the contraction of muscles.
Another technique to keep the lymph fluid from becoming congested is dry brushing. Using a natural bristle body brush, you want to brush the skin in the direction of the lymph flow: generally in the direction of the heart. You want to use a dry brush; however, if it scratches/hurts too much, you can wet it slightly; but, only wet the brush until you can tolerate the dry brushing. This dry brushing is good for detoxing and for the skin.
Let the Lymph Flow!
What is the Feasability/Effectiveness of LDT Without Bandaging for treating Lymphedema?
If the client is unwilling to be wrapped to reduce the degree of Lymphedema, then the manual treatment (the LDT) becomes less effective in reducing the size of the limb. The LDT then is more for the client's comfort.
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