Lymphatic Drainage Flashcards
What is lymphatic drainage massage?
A gentle, rhythmic style of massage that mimics the action of the lymphatic system by using precise rhythm and pressure
How does LDM stimulate the immune system?
Helps move stagnant tissue fluid out of the tissues and into lymphatic vessels
LDM works by moving the client’s _________ in different directions
Skin
Parasympathetic state and the effects on the body
Slows the heart rate and breathing, relaxes muscles, and allows organs to resume normal function
Sympathetic nervous system and effects on the body. Another name for the response of this system to stress.
Fight or Flight response
Causes the body to tense and to produce hormones and chemicals for defense-also depresses immune system while stressing many body systems
Describe massage style/movements for LDM
Light, gentle, and strictly paced
Movements not used for LDM
Long strokes, heavy pressure, rapid movements, or causing pain and discomfort
What is edema?
Swelling in the tissues
Things that contribute to temporary edema
Too much salt or over consumption of fluids, medications, ect.
2 types of lymphedema disease (each has two names)
(1) congenital or primary
(2) obstructive or secondary
Causes of primary lymphedema
Congenital malformation of blood and/or lymph vessels
Causes of secondary lymphedema
Obstruction due to infection, injury, irradiation, or surgery
Symptoms of chronic lymphedema
Skin thickens, cools, and coarsens and becomes prone to injury and infection
Symptoms of inflammation
Pain, heat, redness, and edema
Lymph fluid-
Shares the same characteristics as interstitial fluid- Consists of water, electrolytes, and proteins and helps carry particles, enzymes, and hormones out of the tissues
Interstitial fluid-
Bathes and nourishes the tissue cells and picks up microorganisms, foreign particles, enzymes, proteins, and hormones
Lymphocytes-
Immune cells that are distributed throughout the body in blood, tissue fluid, and lymph
Where do B-cells originate and mature?
Bones
Where do T-cells originate and mature?
Originate in bone marrow but travel to thymus to mature
Which are helper cells and which produce antibodies?
T-cells-helpers
B-cells-produce antibodies
Flap valves-(how do they work)?
Over-lapping cells that form little doorways that open to allow fluid to enter lymphatic system
Function of lymph nodes, lymph nodules, and tonsils
Filter lymph
Afferent vessels
Carry lymph toward nodes
Efferent vessels
Carry lymph out of nodes and toward lymphatic ducts
2 lymphatic ducts
Right lymphatic duct
Thoracic duct
Organs that contain lymph tissue
Lymph nodes, tonsils, spleen, thymus, and aggregated lymph nodules in respiratory and digestive tracts
Medulla-
Inner part of the lymph node
Immune cells-
Lymphocytes, monocytes, and macrophages
3 pairs of tonsils
Pharyngeal, palatine, and lingual
Adenoids-
Pharyngeal tonsils-occasionally removed when infected
Largest organ of the lymphatic system
Spleen
Phagocytized
Broken down into parts
Thymus and its importance
Two-lobed organ located in the thorax over the heart; similar in construction to lymph nodes with cortex and medulla-helps newborns and young children develop antibodies; also where T-cells go to mature
Describe the flow of lymph through the lymph system
Arteries and capillaries–>interstitial fluid–> initial lymphatics & lymph capillaries–>lymph vessels–>lymph ducts–>veins
Highest Lowest
pressure—————–> pressure
Functions of the lymphatic system
Drains all regions of the body-helps balance fluid and distribute immune cells, rids tissues of excess proteins and toxins, carries digested fat from intestines to blood vessels, repairs damage in tissues, and regenerates lymph nodes
Nonspecific immunity
Innate resistance
-provide barriers to foreign substances
Specific immunity
Must be acquired
Depends on ability of immune cells to produce antibodies
Describe the inflammation process
1) Injury occurs 2) Bacteria enters through injured tissue 3) Damaged cells release chemical signals 4) Blood flow and fluid filtration increase (edema occurs) 5) White blood cells increase (bacteria is attacked and destroyed 6) Fibers in blood create scar tissue to contain damage and rebuild tissue 7) Increased lymph circulation removes debris and cells
What happens during an autoimmune disorder?
Immune system starts to attack self-cells as if they were foreign invaders
Active immunity
Natural acquired immunity
Results from everyday exposure to anitgens
Passive immunity
Natural immunity
Transfer of antibodies from mother to fetus or baby
What is formed when a neutrophil dies?
Pus
Monocytes
Immature macrophages that travel in blood and lymph
Macrophages
Clean up dead neutrophils and other cellular debris as well as destroy microorganisms and foreign substances
What do basophils release?
Histamine
What do the chemicals released by eosinophils do?
Reduce inflammation
Natural killer cells (where are they produced and what is their function?)
Produced in red bone marrow-they recognize and destroy a general class of cells such as tumor cells
Causes of ordinary edema
1) Dieting poorly (high salt intake)
2) A sedentary lifestyle
3) Scar or soft tissue injury
4) Heart or kidney disease
5) Medications
6) Radiation therapry
7) Allergies
8) Menstruation
9) Emotional tension
Contraindications for LDM
1) Cancer
2) Open wounds
3) Rashes/inflamed skin conditions
4) Infections
5) Heart, kidney, or liver disease
6) Asthma
7) Allergies
8) Thyroid disease
9) Blood clots and varicose veins
10) Organ transplants
Indications for LDM
1) Speed up healing and reducing edema
2) Speeding up a sluggish immune system
3) Relieving stress and tension
4) Addressing fatigue
5) Depression
6) Chronic pain
7) Working with travelers edema
8) Water retention
9) Mitigating scar tissue
10) Improving cellulite
11) Enhancing skin
12) Lowering blood pressure
Client has chronic edema with no known cause. What do you do?
Consult a physician to rule out serious health problems before receiving LDM
Massage principles of LDM
Move the skin, apply gentle pressure, effect slow movements, move in proper direction, achieve the right rhythm and repetition
Axillary-
Upper quadrants and upper extremities
Inguinal
Lower quadrants and lower extremities
Specific conditions to ask about before performing LDM
1) Heart
2) Blood pressure
3) Blood clots, phlebitis, or varicose veins
4) Liver or kidney disease
5) Organ transplant
6) Cancer
7) Injury
8) Surgery
9) Asthma
10) Diabetes
11) Pregnancy
12) Allergies
13) Edema
14) Infection or illness
What to do when a client will not give health info
Explain that it is dangerous to not have proper knowledge of clients health due to adverse reactions that can result from certain conditions
