FAQs

What is Lymphatic Enhancement Therapy?

Lymphatic Enhancement Therapy (LET) is a non-invasive method of lymphatic drainage that utilizes a Lymphstar device. This device comprises two medical-grade glass transmission wands, each containing noble gases that produce micro-pulsations when excited by an electrical current. The wands deliver a gentle, rapid, pulsing pressure into the tissue that cannot be administered via manual techniques alone. The wands are procedurally moved across the skin to catalyze and assist in normal, healthy circulation of lymph throughout the body. The machine runs at a low frequency that does not heat the tissue, allowing for the safe and effective application of lymphatic drainage.

Why choose Lymphatic Enhancement Therapy?

The Lymphstar device delivers effective treatment with gentle impact. Lymphatic drainage benefits virtually all of the body’s systems and organs, and you don’t have to wait until problems manifest to experience the benefits of LET. The effects are subtly felt, but profoundly effective in maintaining your health and wellness. Almost anyone can benefit from Lymphatic Enhancement Therapy.

Recipients of Lymphatic Enhancement Therapy have reported the following benefits

• Mental calm and clarity

• Improved digestive health

• Increased energy

• Better quality of sleep

• Healthier skin

• Healthier breast tissue: relief from fibrocystic & tender breasts

• Reduction or/relief from pre-menstrual, perimenopausal symptoms

• Faster recovery from injuries and surgeries

• Relief from edema and lymphedema

• Improved recovery when healing from the effects of cancer treatments: lymph node removal, lymphedema in extremities peripheral neuropathy, etc.

• Improved immune system function: less frequency of cold/flu

• Relief from joint aches, muscle pain, and general inflammation in the body

• Relief from an enlarged prostate

• Relief from allergies and sinus congestion

• Decreased pain and swelling due to dental work and surgeries

• Can help manage autoimmune disorders

What is the Lymphatic system?

The lymphatic system is part of the circulatory system and a vital part of the immune system. Its main functions are fluid recovery, immune support, and lipid absorption. The lymphatic system is an organ system made up of lymph fluid, lymphatic vessels, lymph nodes, lymphocytes, the thymus gland, spleen, and tonsils. The lymphatic system is responsible for collecting excess interstitial fluid, filtering it, and returning it to the circulatory system.

Once interstitial fluid is collected by tiny lymphatic capillaries and enters the lymphatic system, it is referred to as lymph. "The circulation of lymph" is a phrase that refers to the movement of lymphatic fluid throughout/within the body. Lymphatic fluid is a clear, yellowish liquid that plays an important role in the immune system by carrying white blood cells (lymphocytes) and other immune cells to destroy invading organisms.

Lymph contains substances in plasma, such as ions, nutrients, gases, and proteins. It can also contain substances derived from cells within the tissues such as enzymes, hormones, and waste products. The circulation of lymph is facilitated by lymphatic vessels and lymph nodes, which filter and trap harmful substances before lymph returns to the bloodstream.

The lymphatic system also plays a significant role in the absorption and transport of lipids (fatty acids and their derivatives) from the small intestine back into the blood.

How do I know if there’s a problem with my lymphatic system?

When lymph nodes become big enough to be felt through the skin, it indicates that they are responding to an antigen and initiating an immune response. This is an indication that your body is functioning properly to combat infections like strep throat or mononucleosis.

Some people are born with primary lymphatic diseases, but most of us have lymphatic issues related to modern lifestyles. Everyday stressors have an impact on our lymphatic health. Some common stressors on the lymphatic system include: poor nutrition & diet, insufficient daily water intake, stress, wearing clothing that is too tight (bras, body-shaping garments, etc.) food allergies or sensitivities, lack of exercise/sedentary lifestyles, environmental toxins: heavy metals, pesticides & herbicides, hormonal imbalances, infections & illness, the normal aging process, traumatic injuries & surgeries (which can damage the delicate structures of the lymphatic system).

Lymphedema is swelling caused by the accumulation of lymph, which may occur if the lymphatic system is damaged, or has malformations, such as in the surgical removal of lymph nodes in the armpit (causing the arm to swell due to poor lymphatic drainage) or groin (causing swelling of the leg).

Edema can also manifest slowly through a chronically poor diet, smoking, and drinking, especially when paired with a lack of exercise and/or a sedentary lifestyle.

Lymph also accumulates around injuries as part of the body’s normal healing response. If left unmoved, it can thicken and cause chronic swelling and congestion around injuries to joints and/or muscles.

What can I do to support my Lymphatic system?

While the circulatory system can move blood through your body due to the heart pumping, the lymphatic system does not have its own pump; interstitial fluid must be squeezed through the lymphatic system. This typically occurs naturally--albeit slowly and sporadically--through movement and breathing.

Exercise or daily physical movement such as walking, lifting weights, swimming, gentle bouncing on a rebounder, rocking in a rocking chair, yoga inversions like “legs up the wall”, skin-brushing, and even deep breathing can help to move lymph through the body and keep your lymphatic system in good overall health. Our feet swell when we stand still for too long: interstitial fluid pools there.

Another way to ensure your lymphatic system functions and drains properly is to avoid wearing tight clothing that constricts the delicate flow of lymph. Specifically, underwire bras and underwear with tight elastic waistbands are notorious for restricting blood and lymph flow within the human body. It is also worth mentioning that a healthy diet, proper nutrition, and quality sleep are vital to your lymphatic system health.

What to expect during my Lymphatic Enhancement Therapy session?

A LET session begins and ends with the practitioner working around the clavicles, neck, and head. Lymph fluid returns to the bloodstream via two different lymphatic ducts located near the junction of the neck and collarbones: the lymphatic duct (right); and the thoracic duct (left).

Lymph congestion at these ducts is addressed first so that the practitioner can then gently encourage lymph fluid from the rest of the body to return to the bloodstream while excess fluids are eliminated via the kidneys and colon.

During the session, you will be comfortably covered/draped on a massage table as the therapy wands are moved gently across your skin. You’ll feel a light sweeping or rolling sensation, accompanied by a gentle tingle at the point of contact between your skin and the wand.

You may observe that the wands make a sound when they come into contact with your body: this sound is created by the pulsation of the acoustic waves being emitted through the wands. These micro-pulsations into the skin create a gentle, pulsing pressure and dilate vessels via the sympathetic nerves to establish a current flow; thereby helping to move the lymph along its path in the body.

LET is not a regular massage focused on relieving muscle tension; However, it can be a very relaxing, meditative experience. Please permit yourself to fully relax (deep abdominal breathing is encouraged) and even drift off to sleep during your session (sleep is when your glymphatic system does its best work)

The glymphatic system is a waste-clearance system in the brain that removes metabolic waste and soluble proteins from the central nervous system. It's made up of perivascular channels formed by astroglial cells. The glymphatic system is the brain's "front end" for waste clearance, and it's connected to a lymphatic network that covers the brain's dura.

How often do I need lymphatic drainage?

After your initial session, we will discuss the frequency of sessions to maintain, and continue to improve your health. I generally recommend an initial series of 3-4 sessions, at regularly spaced intervals, if possible, to move and clear stagnant lymph and support your lymphatic system. Acute and chronic conditions, and lifestyle challenges, will factor into your frequency of care.

How do I prepare for my Lymphatic Enhancement Therapy Session?

1. Drink enough water daily. What constitutes enough water for any individual varies from person to person. A general guideline is to divide your body weight in half and drink that amount in ounces of water per day.  Example: 150 lbs/2 = 75 ounces of water per day.

2. It is recommended by the developers of the LET protocol that you supplement with at least 500mg of Vitamin C daily unless otherwise advised by your doctor. Vitamin C does many things to help the body maintain homeostasis, including helping the body to process the effects of the lymphatic drainage session. If you are already taking a multivitamin, check to make sure it includes at least 500 mg of Vitamin C.

3. Please schedule your Lymphatic Enhancement Therapy appointment at least 36 hours before or after any type of deep tissue bodywork to allow your body time to process the effects of either session.

4. Please come to your appointment with clean, dry skin and hair, free of heavy makeup, oils, antiperspirants, and chemical scents.