M | Body & Spa BestFaceForward More than skin deep chambers of the eyes, cochlea and dura mater. Esthetic effects are usually seen right away. When I do a To understand the specific role of Lymph Drainage class demonstration using Lymph Drainage Therapy face Therapy in an esthetic sense, we must look at the overall techniques, everyone looks for the “lymphatic glow.” This function lymph drainage plays in the body. While it is a The Mini Face-Lift W ith the baby boomer generation is a specific shine of the skin that appears when a few gentle therapy, Lymph Drainage Therapy has a profound in its middle-to-senior years and strokes are applied to the superficial tissue. effect on body tissue, at once influencing the connective Effects of Lymph the nation’s interest in natural Another way Lymph Drainage Therapy works in the tissue, lymph and interstitial fluid. The results range from therapies growing, an increasing the alleviation of swelling/edema Drainage Therapy number of clients is looking for therapeutic to the lessening of chronic pain to Releasing waste products from the tissue a reduction in the appearance of techniques to stave off and even reverse the signs of promotes healing and adds to the shine of scars and wrinkles. aging. In this article we’ll address by Bruno Chikly, M.D., D.O. Of the battery of manual techniques I have the complexion. some of the major aspects of learned over my lifetime as a medical doctor and lymphatic drainage that have osteopath, I have found those working with the either a direct or indirect role in lymphatic system—Lymph Drainage Therapy, in body is through the reabsorption of waste products, such improving the skin’s tone and texture—beginning with particular—are on the top of the list in terms of as debris from cellular metabolism or tissue processes and stimulation of proper fluid circulation. effective esthetic applications. toxic agents. Lymphatic drainage stimulates smooth muscle Lymph Drainage Therapy utilizes light, contractions, especially in lymph and blood vessels. In Beauty, inside out rhythmic, relaxing strokes that clients find doing so, circulation of lymph, interstitial fluid and, more I am a big promoter of beauty from within. The soothing. They especially appreciate the indirectly, blood capillaries, veins, and cerebrospinal and cleansing effects of lymphatic techniques are not just a improvement in facial skin tone and texture that synovial fluid is activated. It has been shown, for example, cover-up. We use them to detoxify with rapid and that blue dye injected in an articulation of the cerebro- may be achieved, giving the appearance of a mini wonderful results that manifest in all areas of the body. spinal fluid will be recovered by surrounding lymphatics. face-lift. Moreover, the effects of lymphatic drainage The liver, for example, benefits from a release of waste Lymph Drainage Therapy techniques can be used to are seen fairly rapidly, and the cost to the client is from the long-term intake of medications and alcohol, as help release stagnant fluid, which manifests as far less than invasive procedures and many anti- well as the effects of food allergies, intolerance or toxins. edema/swelling or primary and secondary lymphedema, in aging products on the market. The small intestines receive cleansing of the residual skin, mucosa, muscles, viscera, joints, periosteum, the effects of mononucleosis or “leaky gut” syndrome. And the lungs are relieved of any buildup of toxins. It is very important to begin and end any Releasing these waste products from the tissue not only The area of the nodes under the jaw— treatment with the numerous nodes and vessels promotes tissue healing and regeneration, it adds to the subchin, (submental), submandibular and of the neck. These are the last zone the lymph will shine of the complexion. These are among the subangulomandibular—is an area where most go through before going to the large blood physiological effects nature intended with the lymphatic of the inner face will drain. vessels of the neck and the heart. system and body fluid in general. Marked improvement may be seen in cases of erythrosis, pre- and post-surgical scarring, hematosis and burns. Cosmetically, the results include noticeable skin firming (a mini face- PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE CHIKLY HEALTH INSTITUTE lift) and a softening of some wrinkles. Look at the main triangle of the face. It is Thinking of my own experiences in practice, I called a natural (physiological) watershed that recall a few clients who came to me with separates two main territories in the face. concerns about some aspect of their appearance. Most of the eyes drain in the lateral territory of They didn’t want to undergo cosmetic surgery, the face. The eyes themselves can be but felt they had no choice. Time and again I saw drained, but only with some experience and a the application of Lymph Drainage Therapy light, respectful touch. This will help alleviate improve the quality and appearance of their small wrinkles on a regular basis and also faces to the extent that many of them no longer may help alleviate ocular pathologies. | www.massagemag.com | February 2012 | MASSAGE Magazine | 23 22 | MASSAGE Magazine | February 2012 | www.massagemag.com |
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