One of my favourite type of reflexology is Reflexology Lymphatic Drainage (RLD) which was developed by the brilliant and hard working Sally Kay.
The lymphatic system is a network of organs, vessels and lymph nodes that remove excess fluid, immune cells, and toxins from the body. The lymphatic system is part of the circulatory system, which also includes the heart, blood vessels and blood. Lymphatic drainage reflexology works by stimulating the reflex points on the feet to clear their contents faster than usual.
Lymphedema is a condition that causes swelling in the arms or legs, usually due to damage to the lymphatic system.
The lymphatic system helps fight infections and removes toxins from the body. The lymphatic system also has a role in regulating blood pressure, and it plays an important part in immune function. Lymphedema occurs when there’s damage to your lymph vessels and/or nodes that can’t be fixed through traditional treatment methods (e.g., surgery).
This condition can result in painful swelling of limbs that can become permanently enlarged if left untreated.
Lymph nodes are small glands located throughout your body that filter out waste products, toxins, and bacteria from your blood stream. They also contain white blood cells that help fight infection. When lymph nodes become swollen due to an infection or inflammation (swelling) in surrounding tissues, they can cause pain in certain parts of the body—usually an arm or leg.
Reflexology lymphatic drainage techniques help dissolve excess fluid around these swollen areas by stimulating specific reflex points on your hands and feet to promote drainage throughout the body's network of vessels called lymphatic vessels (lymphatics). The result: greater circulation with fewer side effects than other types of treatments such as surgery or drugs.
RLD may be useful with the following conditions such as arthritis, asthma, eczema, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, ME, sinus problems, migraines, headache, bunion pain, swollen feet due to pregnancy.
RLD has the benefits of
· Encourages deep relaxation
· Reduces anxiety
· Reduces feelings of stress
· Improves quality of sleep
· Balance hormones
· Invaluable support through difficult times
Your reflexologist can provide a two-feet or four-feet treatment depending how serious your health problems are.
I hope this post has been helpful to you in understanding how lymphatic drainage works and why it is so beneficial to try different kinds of techniques to improve your health and every day life.
To learn more about RLD and read the clinical evidences please visit Sally’s website.
