What is the lymphatic system?
All lymphatic systems are similar in the fact that it is a large part of your, your horse’s, and your
dog’s body’s filtration and detoxification system. Arteries deliver clean nutritious blood to tissues, cells disperse the nutrition and 90% of the blood is reabsorbed back into the veins. The remaining 10% is left behind in the form of lymphatic fluid. Lymphatic fluid is carried to the lymphoid where it is filtered.
The lymphatic system can become impaired for many reasons, such as:
- Removal of lymph nodes
- Removal of the superficial or deep lymphatic vessels
- Undeveloped or missing Lymph nodes
- Damage to the superficial or deep lymphatic vessels, due to injury or surgery
- Infection
- Fungus
- Parasites
- Disease
- Chemicals
Can I prevent lymphedema?
Keeping everyone’s Lymphatic system healthy with regular treatments while being mindful of what skin is exposed to is a great way to start, and can help detox your system. Also taking a high quality probiotic. Some of the above impairment can be visually see others are much harder and sometimes unable to see or diagnosis. There are picture below to help you with the visual. Scaring is not only a visual but sometimes muscle pulls, arthroscopic surgery and even liposuction can damage or remove part of this system. Look for small incisions or cuts. Lastly some doctors will remove lymph nodes and other times humans, horses and dogs are born without certain lymph nodes.
What are the signs and symptoms of lymphedema?
Symptoms for the unseen start with swelling and sometime heat and even infection. If there is heat and swelling call your doctor or veterinarian AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. DO NOT WAIT FOR MORNING, or go to the emergency room. This may seem a little drastic, but the time clock is ticking. The longer you wait the more the infection is spreading and possible fibrotic tissue is starting to form which then makes this condition harder, longer and more costly to treat.
What is the treatment for mild lymphedema?
Prevention is the most important. We offer mini classes to teach you basic massage techniques that you can perform on your own horse or dog. Most of all take care of yourself by getting regular treatment. Please contact us today to get started.
What is the treatment for chronic lymphedema?
After seeing a doctor or veterinarian, getting a lymphatic diagnosis, and the okay for treatment, you are ready to start. This is a serious condition and you need the correct tools. Please contact us today to get started.
What is manual lymphatic drainage?
Manual lymph drainage (MLD) is a very gentle manual treatment that improves the function of the lymphatic system throughout the body. In the 1930s the techniques of MLD were first introduced by Dr. Emil Vodder, PhD, MT from Denmark. MLD is becoming widely recognized in the United States as a beneficial treatment method.
Who is a candidate for manual lymphatic drainage?
MLD can help those with and without lymphedema. MLD can act as a treatment for many pathologies including post-surgical swelling, post traumatic edema (e.g. sports injuries), migraine headaches, rheumatoid arthritis, and fibromyalgia. MLD is further used to promote general relaxation and for cleansing (detoxification) of the skin and superficial fascia. In lymphedema therapy MLD is used to reroute the lymph flow around blocked areas into healthy lymph vessels.