Lymph Loves Knowledge

You’ve probably heard me say it during your treatment (or maybe more than once!)—knowledge is power, especially when it comes to your body and your lymphatic system. The more you understand this system, the more empowered you are to support it in your daily life.

So let’s dive in with the basics:The lymphatic system is your body’s internal clean-up crew. It works alongside your circulatory system to remove waste, toxins, excess fluid, and even pathogens. Unlike blood, which is pumped by the heart, lymph relies on movement, breath, muscle contractions, and manual support (like massage) to keep it flowing. On a good day, your lymphatic system clears around 1.5 to 2 litres of waste fluid from your tissues and returns it to your bloodstream to be filtered out. That’s a pretty big job for a system that doesn’t get a lot of attention!

When it’s not flowing well, you might notice things like:

• Puffiness or swelling (especially in the face, under the eyes, or around the ankles)

• Brain fog or fatigue

• A heavy, sluggish feeling

• More frequent colds or sinus congestion

• Stiffness or tenderness in certain areas of the body

• 
  

While regular lymphatic drainage massage can help tremendously, being informed and proactive outside of treatment is just as important.

Here are some great places to start:

1. Stop Chasing Pain – Dr. Perry NickelstonDr Perry is one of the biggest champions of lymph health in the wellness world. His Big Six Lymphatic Technique is a game changer—six easy areas to stimulate daily for better lymph flow. He offers tons of free information through Instagram, YouTube, and his website. You don’t need any fancy tools to do the Big Six—just your hands, consistency, and a few minutes a day.

2. Lymph Love ClubThis online community is full of inspiring, empowering, and educational content about all things lymph. Whether you're curious about self-care routines, looking for gentle movement ideas, or just want to understand your body better, they provide digestible info that feels human, kind, and inclusive.

3. Your own body and symptomsSometimes the best knowledge comes from observation. How do you feel after movement, massage, hydration, or stress? Tune in. Learning what helps your lymph thrive is personal.

Now let’s talk briefly about a few terms you may have heard and wondered about:

• Lymphoedema is a condition where lymph fluid builds up and causes persistent swelling, usually in an arm or leg. It can be genetic or caused by surgery, cancer treatment, or injury. It needs medical diagnosis and ongoing care—often with support from trained lymph therapists.

  
  

• Lipoedema is different but often confused with lymphoedema. It’s a chronic condition where fat accumulates in an uneven, painful way (often around the hips, thighs, and arms) and doesn't respond to diet or exercise. Lipoedema can lead to lymphoedema if unmanaged. Again, awareness is key.

  
  

• Swollen lymph nodes are common with infections like a cold or flu, but if you have a lymph node that is swollen, hard, doesn’t move, or doesn’t go down after a few weeks—or if it’s growing—please see your doctor. Always better to check.

• 
  

Lymph health is about balance, curiosity, and support, not fear. The more you know, the more you can do to feel amazing in your body. If you’re ever unsure, ask! I love sharing this stuff and pointing you toward helpful tools.

So go ahead—follow some experts, try the Big Six, ask questions, and stay lymph-curious.Your body will thank you for it.