COVID-19

Good Lymph Flow

One of the most important things for a healthy immune system is to have good flow of the lymphatic fluid (lymph) throughout the body. This allows the immune cells to find and destroy invading germs and to clean up any damage that was caused in the process. Our lymphatic system is a series of collecting vessels and tubes that pass through muscles and organs and around bones to carry lymph to tissues that clean the fluid and monitor it for harmful invaders like viruses and bacteria.

In order to have good lymph flow, you need 3 things:

1. Water.
People have different water intake needs, and some medical conditions even require that a person limits their fluid intake. Yet, the average adult should consume 60-100 ounces of caffeine-free beverages a day.

2. Motion.
The lymphatic system has 4 main pumps: the heart, respiratory diaphragm, skeletal muscles, and lymphangions. Exercise is the best way to move lymph because it engages all 4 of the pumps. Our skeletal muscles squeeze the lymph along, while the increased activity of our muscles causes our autonomic nervous system to direct our heart, respiratory diaphragm, and lymphangions to pump faster and harder. This is why even hospitalized patients, including those who just had surgery, may have their doctor direct the nurses to get the patient up and walking. We need our fluids to move in order to heal.

3. Freedom of flow.
In order for lymph to move through the tissues, there needs to be open passages. Luckily, our bodies were built so that in most areas, there are multiple channels for lymph to flow through. So, even if one path gets narrowed due to tight muscles or scar tissue or stiff joints, the lymph can flow around that site to get where it needs to go. Yet, if too many areas are restricted or there is narrowing in a place where there isn't a good alternative pathway (ex. by the neck and shoulders), then the immune system will have a harder time doing its job.

Doctors of osteopathic medicine (DOs) have been trained to know where and how to feel for places that the lymph should be flowing and to treat tight muscles and tissues or stiff joints that could be interfering with proper lymph flow. They also have been trained in techniques to pump the lymph along to "jump start" your immune system.

Fulcrum Clinic offers an immune system-focused treatment that involves evaluating important lymph drainage areas, treats restrictions at those sites, and applies pumping techniques to encourage mobilization of the body's disease fighting cells. Osteopathic lymphatic treatment can help once a person becomes sick, but it also can help a person optimize their defenses prior to encountering a harmful viral or bacterial invader. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the importance of minimizing spread of the disease, Fulcrum Clinic will only see patients that do NOT have a fever, new cough, sore throat, or recent loss of smell or taste. Healthier people do tend to handle infections better than those who have immune issues or certain other diseases, but optimal lymphatic flow will not prevent you from catching any disease.