Lymph: Root Cause to Seasonal Allergies & Sinus Congestion
Did you know that swollen lymph nodes are not the primary indicator of a sluggish lymphatic system? In fact, most of the population with lymphatic issues do not present with this symptom. One of the common problems associated with blocked lymph is the overproduction of mucus. Mucus is a slippery substance secreted from the lymphatic system to lubricate and moisten our body's inner surfaces (nasal passages, throat, digestive tract, colon).
However, excessive mucus is produced as a protective response to irritating toxic wastes and infection. This happens when the lymphatic system is burdened with toxins and unable to remove them from the body due to blockages and stagnation. This excessive mucus production can then clog up sinuses leading to congestion, sinus headache, ear pain and pressure.
The common remedy to the excessive mucus production is medications. Yet we must ask the question: do they offer relief from seasonal allergies and sinus pain? A study conducted in 2007 concluded that 90% of the antibiotics and topical nasal spray steroid prescriptions written by doctors for sinusitis sufferers showed no clinically useful effect.
Unfortunately, what happens is that these medications end up taxing your lymphatic system and your liver even further. As the body's waste starts to pile up in the lymphatic system it will begin to spill over into the colon. Once this begins to happen, the respiratory system becomes the extra dumping ground for the colon. The mucus membranes in your lungs, throat, and sinuses then begin to expel the excess mucus. In addition, when your liver is sluggish due to overburden of toxins and medications, the extra load of seasonal allergies may be too much to bear. This can lead to an inflammatory response which leads to the release of histamine and allergy symptoms.
Plugged ears, sore throats, sinus problems, and postnasal drip can all be early warning signs of mucus congestion in the lymphatic system. More severe signs are asthma, bronchitis, and emphysema which are all results of the lymphatic’s efforts to dump excess mucus.
The longer that one ignores the lymphatic’s messages for help, the uglier the symptoms become.
This is where lymphatic drainage and mobilization come into play. This holistic therapy technique helps to give your lymphatic system a “tune up.” By manually stimulating key areas of the body in the correct order, we can release stagnant lymph pathways or “choke points” and promote increased flow of lymphatic fluid, which can reinvigorate your immune system and sweep out harmful toxins.
Using very light rhythmic massage to increase circulation and lymphatic flow, lymphatic mobilization therapy concentrates on specific lymph nodes in the collarbone, upper neck, jaw, cheekbone and eye region. Watch the video below on how to start moving head and neck lymph at home.
When one suffers from seasonal allergies, the body’s immune system goes into high gear as it overreacts to pollen, mold spores or other foreign body invaders. The result is irritation and inflammation of the sinuses. Lymphatic drainage massage combined with craniosacral therapy techniques can mobilize the excess mucus and open the sinuses to relieve allergy symptoms.
At Be Still Physical Therapy, we utilize the combination of lymphatic mobilization and craniosacral techniques to open up sinuses, drain excess mucus and accelerate healing from seasonal allergy symptoms or chronic sinusitis. Click the button below to book today.
