2.2.2 Lymphatic maintenance

The lymphatic system is a network which spans the majority of the human body. Until quite recently, it was not known that this also included the brain.

The lymphatic system has a number of important roles in immunity and circulation. Lymphoid organs are the source of B and T lymphocytes. The system transports dietary fats and collects extracellular fluid and metabolites from tissues, returning them via lymphatic vessels to the bloodstream, preventing lymphoedema or catastrophic fluid build-up, pressure / pain and metabolic backlog.

A friendly primer on the lymphatic system can be found here: https://www.britannica.com/science/lymphatic-system

The lymphatic system relies on breathing and muscle contractions to maintain healthy circulation and waste excretion. Calendula creams can also help move lymph.

In any disease where movement is being restricted, this creates additional difficulties for maintaining immune function, fat transport and metabolite circulation. The lymphatic system can become blocked. This may be observed as being stiff, or having sore swollen tissues that can feature enlarged lymph nodes, such as in the neck, groin and/or armpits, relative to adjacent infections. Failure to maintain the lymphatic system may create a serious roadblock to recovery.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5954877/

A session with a massage therapist who specialises in lymphatic drainage may help you assess and remediate any recurring lymphatic blockages. There are also some helpful videos online with comprehensive instructions.

A daily regimen to maintain any problematic areas by hand or vibrating massage gun (used on a glancing angle), may also assist unlocking functional gains and preventing pain in chronic illnesses / infections.
https://youtu.be/ccV24hCOe5A
https://youtu.be/dDrJajg2ZII

Localised pressure / oedema, numbness, hypoxia, impaired blood flow, "burning" sensations, pain and lactic acidemia can be expected when lymph nodes become blocked from nearby immune activity.
eg.

Intracranial pressure is regulated by nasopharyngeal, occipital and cervical lymph nodes in the face and neck. If these lymph nodes become blocked, crippling head pressure can be experienced. This is especially noticeable if immune activity increases from eg. improved energy metabolism / resolving deficiencies. Intracranial pressure can be a blocking issue to making any forward progress, if left unresolved. Chronic intracranial pressure issues and nasal / sinus inflammation are commonly found where environmental mould issues are unresolved, see 2.2.3 Living without chronic dysbiosis.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10808075/
https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/lymphatic-vessels-discovered-central-nervous-system
NB. The nasopharyngeal lymph nodes are largely inaccessible via manual manipulation, although a soft attachment and glancing angle with a vibrating massage tool on either side of the nose may help. Resolving infections in the nasopharynx reduce load on those lymphatic vessels. The occipital and cervical lymph nodes are much easier to access and clear.
https://bornfree.life/images/neck-lymphatic.mov

Face and sinuses can become acutely painful if related lymph nodes are blocked. These nodes are usually very easy to access with your fingers or a vibrating massage tool.

Here is a diagram you can follow to help improve lymphatic flow, by dragging your fingers in the same locations and directions of the arrows. Areas with multiple arrows side by side may benefit from using multiple fingers: