FAQs
What is getting treatment like?
At Lymph Light, Jenna uses a unique combination of gentle manual lymph drainage techniques aided by a special instrument, called the Lymphstar Pro Fusion. This gentle, noninvasive procedure is faster than manual techniques used alone and allows the therapist to accomplish in a one-hour therapy session what would take 4-5 hours manually. The hands-on lymphatic drainage techniques are made up of slow, subtle, gently sweeping movements, mimicking the rhythmic pumping of the lymphatic fluid through the body. The Lymphstar Pro Fusion, who's treatment heads are applied lightly to the skin, utilizes light and sound to decongest trapped proteins and congestion within lymph nodes and the lymph system, allowing waste products and toxins to slowly erode and safely flow out through normal channels.
To begin a lymphatic drainage session, the client disrobes and lies on a massage table under a sheet and blanket. Just like a traditional massage treatment, the client will stay mainly covered throughout the session, with the therapist only undraping each treatment area as that spot is worked on. The therapist begins at the exit points or “terminus” of the Lymphatic System, right above your collar bones at the neck. A full body lymphatic drainage session can include therapy on the neck, face, arms, chest, abdomen, front and back of the legs, back, and back of the head and neck.
Lymphatic Therapy is essentially a skin treatment — all of the hands-on and LymphStar Pro Fusion techniques are applied directly to the skin in a gentle, rhythmic manner. Lymphatic Drainage Therapy is a whole body approach.
To begin a lymphatic drainage session, the client disrobes and lies on a massage table under a sheet and blanket. Just like a traditional massage treatment, the client will stay mainly covered throughout the session, with the therapist only undraping each treatment area as that spot is worked on. The therapist begins at the exit points or “terminus” of the Lymphatic System, right above your collar bones at the neck. A full body lymphatic drainage session can include therapy on the neck, face, arms, chest, abdomen, front and back of the legs, back, and back of the head and neck.
Lymphatic Therapy is essentially a skin treatment — all of the hands-on and LymphStar Pro Fusion techniques are applied directly to the skin in a gentle, rhythmic manner. Lymphatic Drainage Therapy is a whole body approach.
What can I expect to feel after treatment?
In spite of its understated and delicate technique, Lymphatic Drainage Therapy is one of the most relaxing, satisfying types of bodywork available. Often, the client leaves with an ethereal feeling of walking on air. While this is a common experience, everyone is different - some folks report a greater sense of relaxation, more energy, better sleep, easier breathing, and/or less joint pain just after one session. Others find they don't feel a difference right away, but over a number of sessions begin to notice many positive and tangible changes. Lastly, since this treatment promotes increased detoxification, a small number of clients find that the first session leaves them with signs that their body is letting go of more toxins: digestive changes, mild headache, etc. In these rare cases, symptoms usually subside within a day, and are limited to after the first session only.
Since our bodies are primarily made up of fluids, it’s not hard to see how improving lymphatic flow could produce numerous benefits for both health and beauty. The effects of lymphatic therapy are cumulative; the benefits are increased by the number of sessions you receive. Lymphatic Therapy is both preventive and restorative as it enhances the body’s natural immune system.
Since our bodies are primarily made up of fluids, it’s not hard to see how improving lymphatic flow could produce numerous benefits for both health and beauty. The effects of lymphatic therapy are cumulative; the benefits are increased by the number of sessions you receive. Lymphatic Therapy is both preventive and restorative as it enhances the body’s natural immune system.
How many sessions are generally recommended?
Treatment frequency recommendations are dependent on each client's situation. For example, for clients that come in with an acute issue (hematoma, swelling, post-surgery inflammation, etc), the likely recommendation will be frequent sessions (perhaps 1 per week) to start off with, in order to support healing. Conversely, for those who seek treatment for more chronic issues (life-long auto-immune conditions, allergies, general detoxification, etc), the recommendation may instead be for more regular sessions spaced out - perhaps once per month or every 2 months.
Having said this, the client is always in the driver's seat. I will often make my recommendation, but will always respect one's intuitive knowing regarding how often they would like treatment. After all, *you* are the expert of being in your body, and deciding what is best for you!
Having said this, the client is always in the driver's seat. I will often make my recommendation, but will always respect one's intuitive knowing regarding how often they would like treatment. After all, *you* are the expert of being in your body, and deciding what is best for you!
What is the purpose and function of the lymphatic system?
The Lymphatic system transports excess interstitial fluid out of the tissue and back to the bloodstream. It maintains blood volume homeostasis around body cells and assists movements of materials into and out of cells. It transports fat, proteins (including hormones) and nutrients around the body. It provides immunological defenses against disease causing agents.
In other words, your lymphatic system plays an integral role in your immune functioning (keeping your body healthy and maintaining homeostasis), wound healing, and the detoxification process.
In other words, your lymphatic system plays an integral role in your immune functioning (keeping your body healthy and maintaining homeostasis), wound healing, and the detoxification process.
What are the causes of stagnant lymph?
There are many factors that can influence the efficacy of the lymphatic system. One of the largest causes is stress, followed by improper breathing, lack of exercise, poor nutrition, poor digestion, toxins (environmental or ingested), bodily trauma, and infections. Think about this: You likely have more stress and are exposed to more toxins than your grandparents had when they were your age. Yet, our lymphatic systems have not changed in functioning or efficacy since their generation! One could certainly argue that the increase in disease our generation is experiencing is due at least in part to our over-worked lymphatic systems.
What are the symptoms of stagnant lymph?
When the lymph system gets sluggish or blocked up, this can present in a variety of ways. It may become a breeding ground for viruses, bacteria, and even cancer cells. The accumulated toxins and debris may lead to pain, lumps, bumps, skin issues, inflammation, and swelling. Fatigue and ill health are often the result of a clogged or sluggish lymph system, too.
Who can benefit from lymphatic drainage therapy?
To put it simply, the lymphatic system is your body's natural healing system, so addressing this system can benefit nearly anyone.
For example, imagine you get a cut on your arm. You'll notice that immediately the immune response starts: the area begins to swell, blood begins to coagulate and scab over, and in a relatively short amount of time, the scab is replaced by new, healthy skin tissue. Before you know it, the cut is a distant memory. More amazing than that - you didn't have to give any conscious thought to that process taking place! This is your lymphatic system at work, and it is working to heal your body and bring it back into homeostasis in every moment.
The wonderful thing about lymphatic drainage therapy is that technically we don't even have to know exactly what is going wrong in your body to provide effective treatment. We instead focus on reducing congestion and improving functioning in the lymphatic system, so that it can do it's job of healing you on every level even better. Lymphatic drainage treatment is appropriate for those who consider themselves healthy and want to stay that way, and those navigating health challenges that are looking for ways to get healthier.
Note that the only major contraindications for this treatment are: pacemakers, uncontrolled congestive heart failure, and acute, untreated blood clots.
For example, imagine you get a cut on your arm. You'll notice that immediately the immune response starts: the area begins to swell, blood begins to coagulate and scab over, and in a relatively short amount of time, the scab is replaced by new, healthy skin tissue. Before you know it, the cut is a distant memory. More amazing than that - you didn't have to give any conscious thought to that process taking place! This is your lymphatic system at work, and it is working to heal your body and bring it back into homeostasis in every moment.
The wonderful thing about lymphatic drainage therapy is that technically we don't even have to know exactly what is going wrong in your body to provide effective treatment. We instead focus on reducing congestion and improving functioning in the lymphatic system, so that it can do it's job of healing you on every level even better. Lymphatic drainage treatment is appropriate for those who consider themselves healthy and want to stay that way, and those navigating health challenges that are looking for ways to get healthier.
Note that the only major contraindications for this treatment are: pacemakers, uncontrolled congestive heart failure, and acute, untreated blood clots.
What are lymph nodes?
Lymph nodes are essentially "filtering stations" located at the intersection of lymph capillaries and vessels (which transport lymphatic fluid throughout the body) . These nodes house lymphocytes (a type of white blood cells) which help to identify and destroy abnormal cells, infectious microorganisms, and other foreign pathogens.
There are approximately 700-800 lymph nodes in the entire body. Half of these nodes are located in these main areas: the neck and head, axillary (armpit area), and the inguinal area (groin). The other approximate half of these nodes are located in your abdomen. I'll repeat that - half of all of your lymph nodes are located in your abdomen! For this reason, the importance of proper breathing, good digestion, movement, and stress reduction in helping your lymphatic system cannot be understated!
There are approximately 700-800 lymph nodes in the entire body. Half of these nodes are located in these main areas: the neck and head, axillary (armpit area), and the inguinal area (groin). The other approximate half of these nodes are located in your abdomen. I'll repeat that - half of all of your lymph nodes are located in your abdomen! For this reason, the importance of proper breathing, good digestion, movement, and stress reduction in helping your lymphatic system cannot be understated!