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By Susan Allen, Certified Lymphatic Therapist –
There aren’t many “preventative maintenance” therapies in today’s world that will give a person as much overall benefit to their health and well being than Lymphatic Decongestive Therapy (LDT). The Lymphatic System is not only grossly overlooked, but also of utmost importance in our body’s ability to function properly and remain healthy. Often the attention is only given to this body system in an effort to recover from an illness or in an attempt to regain good health after it’s gone off the rails.
Most ailments are linked to the lymphatic system, and to a compromised immune system. The lymphatic system is a complex network of fluid-filled tubes that continuously bathe our cells and then carry away the body’s “sewage” – toxins, waste products of metabolism, globules of fat, and excess fluid – to filters known as lymph nodes, where these harmful substances are trapped and neutralized. Consequently, this system plays a vital role in the body’s immunity to disease. The body contains three times more lymph fluid than blood; however, while blood has a pump (the heart) to keep it moving, the lymph must be pumped by the movement of our muscles. The less we move, the more stagnant the lymph fluid becomes.
With today’s sedentary lifestyles, pollution, constipation, and diets low in nutrients and high in fats, sugars, additives and preservatives, our lymphatic system becomes overloaded, congested, and clogged. Other factors such as illness, disease, chemicals/pesticides in food, pollution, etc. can also overload and stall the lymph system. Everyday stress also shuts down the lymphatic flow.
At HoriZen Therapies, we utilize the Electro-Sound Lymphatic Decongestive Therapy method to mobilize the lymphatic system. Here’s how this method works… Since bodily fluids are conductors of electricity, in conjunction with specific frequencies, we use light and sound to break down congested lymph using an XP-2 machine (state-of-the-art instrumentation). Each XP-2 therapy session is equivalent to 8 to 10 manual lymphatic drainage massage sessions. This therapy is a 75-90 minute accelerated method of cleansing and detoxifying the lymphatic system.
Breaking down congested lymph fluid is painlessly achieved using the XP-2 machine without overstressing the lymph vessels. The electric charges stimulate, re-polarize and re-establish ideal energy of individual cells, tissues, and decongest the entire lymphatic system. It produces a mild heating effect, increasing circulation, activating the lymph, breaking up blockages, detoxifying and enhancing immunity.
Pre & Post Surgical Benefits
Many benefits can result from lymphatic drainage before and after surgery. Lymphatic Decongestive Therapy promotes tissue regeneration, therefore reducing the formation and severity of scars which can be unsightly and sometimes painful. After surgery, the lymphatic pathways will be very different. Studies have shown that it takes between 7 and 10 days for the natural and functional continuity of the lymphatic vessels to be re-established. Perhaps the most significant benefits of applying LDT post surgically is to prevent or alleviate edema or swelling. Swelling can cause pain and create a predisposition to infection.
The “Miracle” of Re-Routing for Lymphedema Clients
There are many different causes of Lymphedema. For instance, Women who have had all their axillary lymph nodes removed as a result of a mastectomy can develop lymphedema in that arm. After-care previously involved manual lymphatic drainage, compression wrapping, and the wearing of a compression sleeve 24/7 to keep the lymphatic fluid from pooling in the affected arm. With the XP-2’s Electro-Sound Lymphatic Decongestive Therapy (LDT), we are able to re-route the lymph fluid in the affected arm and, utilizing a specific technique, the fluid is drawn across the anastomosis of the sagittal watershed and re-routed to drain via the axillary lymph node under the other arm. Over a course of 10-12 sessions, given once or twice a week, the lymphatic collectors of a patient with stage one lymphedema will successfully re-route a new pathway and the arm will no longer swell. This re-routing precludes the wearing of a compression sleeve (except when traveling on an airplane). Re-routing clients with stage two to four lymphedema could take up to a year. The recommended follow-up maintenance, after a client’s arm has been successfully re-routed, would be one LDT treatment every four to six weeks.
Many Other Benefits of LDT
• Assists weight loss (research has documented that 80% of overweight people have a sluggish lymphatic system)
• Alleviates cellulite tissue
• Regenerates tissue, including burns, scars and stretch marks
• Reduces puffy eyes and “bags” under the eyes
• Stimulates the skin and restores hydration
• Relieves discomfort from fibrocystic breasts
• Supports post-mastectomy health by helping to alleviate the need for compression garments
• Detoxifies the body tissues
• Decreases viral, bacterial and fungal loads
• Reduces edema (swelling) of many origins
• Reduces inflammation
• Relieves chronic joint and muscle pain
• Reduces symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia
• Removes pathogens via the lymph system
• Relieves congestion for those who suffer from asthma, sinus and allergy issues
• Helps with some forms of constipation and chronic colitis
• Promotes the healing of fractures, torn ligaments, sprains and lessens pain
• Aids in stress reduction by causing deep relaxation
• Aids in reduction of insomnia and depression
• Alleviates enlarged prostate (beneficial for men over age 40)
At HoriZen Therapies, we are focused on your well-being. Our goal is to provide the latest, most effective and valued healing therapies to our clients, and assist them in their quest for optimum health and wellness. Along with Lymphatic Decongestive Therapy, we also offer UltraSlim Red Light Therapy for fat loss and skin tightening, and Hoshino Massage Therapy. Call today for an appointment and mention this article for a $15 discount on your first LDT session.
2799 N.W. Boca Raton Blvd., Ste. H-201
Boca Raton, FL 33431
(561) 395-1926
www.horizentherapies.com
