Spinal Lymphatic Detox: EP Wellness and Functional Medicine

Chiropractic care has a powerful therapeutic effect on the body’s systems. This includes the nervous, muscular, skeletal, and lymphatic. The lymphatic system is a part of the immune system. It circulates lymph, a fluid comprised of white blood cells that support the immune system, proteins, and fats. The lymphatic system collects toxins, moves waste, and protects the body from foreign invaders. Together with the immune system, the lymphatic system keeps the body balanced. However, imbalances occur due to misalignments, subluxations, compressed nerves, chronic conditions, and injuries. Chiropractic care, massage, and decompression therapy can help mobilize stuck or misaligned joints, reduce muscular tension, alleviate nerve inflammation and discomfort, and restore optimal function.

Spinal Lymphatic Detox

Lymphatic System

The lymphatic system is a network throughout the body. The system drains lymph fluid from the blood vessels into the tissues and empties it back into the bloodstream through the lymph nodes. The main functions of the system include the following:

• Regulates fluid levels in the body.
• Activates when bacteria or viruses enter.
• Manages and removes cancer cells or cell byproducts that could result in disease or disorders.
• Absorbs some of the fats from the intestine.

The lymph nodes and other structures like the spleen and thymus house specialized white blood cells called lymphocytes. These are ready to go and can rapidly multiply and release antibodies when bacteria, viruses, and other stimuli, enter the body.

Fluid Balance

The blood in the vessels is under constant pressure. Nutrients, fluids, and certain cells need to circulate throughout the body to supply the tissues and maintain the system’s defense. The lymphatic system:

• Removes all fluids and contents that leak into the tissues.
• Eliminates waste products formed in the tissues.
• Eliminates bacteria that enter through the skin.

The digestive and respiratory systems are lined with lymphatic tissue because the systems are exposed. The most important sites are the tonsils, the intestinal region, and the appendix. Lymph nodes are the filters. Viruses and cancer cells get trapped and destroyed in the lymph nodes. More lymphocytes are produced when an infection is present, which is why the nodes experience swelling. When the lymphatic system does not drain fluids from the tissues properly, the tissues swell and can cause symptoms of discomfort. If the swelling is only for a short period, it is called edema. If it lasts more than three months, it is called lymphoedema.

Symptoms of Unhealthy Circulation

Unhealthy circulation can include the following symptoms:

• Fatigue
• Concentration problems
• Cold hands or feet
• Swelling
• Muscle cramps
• Numbness
• Tingling
• Stinging
• Throbbing
• Development of ulcers on the feet, ankles, and legs.

Chiropractic Care

A chiropractic spinal lymphatic detox treatment releases stagnant fluid collected in the joints, muscles, and tissues. A personalized treatment plan will consist of massage therapy to increase circulation, release and relax the muscles and nerves, chiropractic to realign the body, decompression to open the spine, stretching techniques to improve flexibility, and nutritional guidance to support optimal circulation. The benefits include:

• Discomfort and pain relief.
• Stress and anxiety relief.
• Balanced and realigned body.
• Relaxed muscles.
• Helps with allergy symptoms.
• Detoxes bacteria along the spine.

Lymphatic Anatomy

References

Dmochowski, Jacek P et al. “Computational Modeling of Deep Tissue Heating by an Automatic Thermal Massage Bed: Predicting the Effects on Circulation.” Frontiers in medical technology vol. 4 925554. 14 Jun. 2022, doi:10.3389/fmedt.2022.925554

Majewski-Schrage, Tricia, and Kelli Snyder. “The Effectiveness of Manual Lymphatic Drainage in Patients With Orthopedic Injuries.” Journal of sport rehabilitation vol. 25,1 (2016): 91-7. doi:10.1123/jsr.2014-0222

Mihara, Makoto et al. “Combined conservative treatment and lymphatic venous anastomosis for severe lower limb lymphedema with recurrent cellulitis.” Annals of vascular surgery vol. 29,6 (2015): 1318.e11-5. doi:10.1016/j.avsg.2015.01.037

Mortimer, Peter S, and Stanley G Rockson. “New developments in clinical aspects of lymphatic disease.” The Journal of clinical investigation vol. 124,3 (2014): 915-21. doi:10.1172/JCI71608

Weerapong, Pornratshanee et al. “The mechanisms of massage and effects on performance, muscle recovery and injury prevention.” Sports medicine (Auckland, N.Z.) vol. 35,3 (2005): 235-56. doi:10.2165/00007256-200535030-00004