Reset Body Therapy

16/09/2025

I was chatting with a client yesterday during treatment, and we were talking about the power of stories.

She had borrowed Ross Emmett’s book “The Therapy of Stories” and read it between visits.

At one point in our conversation she said, “You know, it’s the story we tell ourselves, what we replay over and over again, that becomes our perception of reality.”

I couldn’t have said it better.

What story do you have on repeat?

12/09/2025

Here we have before (left) and after (right) treatment photos of a client today.
The first thing I noticed was the deep slanted wrinkle on the back of the neck, indicating that the difference in shoulder height had been a longterm problem, and took a photo to show the client. He was unaware of the shoulder height differential.
Five minutes of carefully chosen EMMETT crossover moves, and I couldn’t resist showing him the difference with another pic!

09/09/2025

The EMMETT Technique takes this connection very seriously, which is why YOU need to book in for an EMMETT spinal balance and lymphatics activation session at Reset Body Therapy soon!
Gawler and Murray Bridge.
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Your Lymph and Your Spine: A Surprisingly Powerful Connection

Written by Bianca Botha, CLT,RLD & MLDT

This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider before making changes to your diet, exercise, or health regimen.

Most people don’t think of their spine and lymphatic system as teammates — but these two systems are deeply connected in ways that can impact everything from your posture to your immunity and detoxification.

Let’s take a fun and informative dive into how your spinal health supports lymph flow, and how your lymphatic system supports spinal health.

First, Let’s Get to Know the Players
• The spine 🦴 is your body’s central support beam. It protects the spinal cord and allows flexibility and structure.
• The lymphatic system 💧 is your body’s drainage and detox system. It clears waste, balances fluid, and supports immunity through a network of vessels, lymph nodes, and organs.

These two systems may seem unrelated — but they’re actually anatomical and functional neighbors!

How the Lymphatic System and Spine Work Together

1. Lymphatic Vessels Run Along the Spine 🟢

A rich network of deep lymphatic vessels and nodes are located along the thoracic duct, which runs parallel to the spine. This duct collects lymph from the lower body, abdomen, and left upper body — and drains it into the bloodstream near the neck.

If there’s spinal tension, misalignment, or poor posture 🪑, lymph can slow down, leading to congestion, inflammation, or fluid retention.

2. Spinal Movement = Lymph Movement 🧘‍♀️

Unlike blood, lymph has no heart to pump it. It relies on muscle contraction, breathing, and joint motion.
Your spine’s flexibility — especially through the thoracic and lumbar regions — is essential for creating a “pumping” effect that moves lymph upward against gravity.

That means sitting all day, slouching, or spinal stiffness can slow down your lymphatic flow and contribute to bloating, fatigue, or inflammation 🐌.

3. CSF and the Glymphatic System 🧠

Inside the spinal column flows cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), which cushions the brain and spinal cord. This fluid is part of the glymphatic system — the brain’s own lymph-like detox system.

Healthy spinal alignment and neck movement help regulate CSF flow, aiding in brain detox, clarity, and mental energy ✨.

Common Issues When This Connection Is Disrupted

When the lymph-spine connection is compromised, you might experience:
• Neck or back pain with fluid retention 💢
• Brain fog or headaches due to CSF stagnation ☁️
• Bloating or heaviness from sluggish lymph flow 🫧
• Inflammation in the joints and spine 🔥
• Poor immune function 🛡

How to Support Your Spine and Lymph Together
1. Spinal Alignment & Posture 🪷
• Sit tall, avoid slouching, and keep your head aligned over your shoulders.
• Poor posture compresses lymphatic pathways around the neck and chest.
2. Movement Is Medicine 🚶‍♀️
• Gentle spinal twists, yoga, or foam rolling can encourage lymph drainage.
• Walking and rebounding stimulate spinal and lymphatic flow.
3. Breathwork 🌬
• Deep breathing moves both diaphragm and CSF — supporting lymph and spinal fluid flow.
4. Lymphatic Massage or MLD ✋
• Techniques that target the neck, back, and abdomen can open up blocked drainage points.
5. Chiropractic or Osteopathic Care 🧑‍⚕️
• Proper alignment of the spine can help restore lymphatic rhythm and reduce nerve impingement.

Final Thought: Your Spine and Lymph Are Partners in Healing

Think of your spine as the road 🛣, and your lymph as the traffic 🚗.
If the road is blocked or twisted, traffic slows down. But when the spine is strong, mobile, and well-aligned — lymph flows freely, bringing with it healing, immunity, and detoxification.

So next time you stretch your back or take a deep breath — remember — you’re doing your lymphatic system a big, beautiful favor! 💚

©️

04/09/2025

Everyone has their own history, their own habits, and their own health issues.
And so often the problem presented is just a symptom of something else.
Observation and listening is a big part of the success of the treatment.

🦎 Ever wondered why our logo is a chameleon?

Just as chameleons intuitively adjust to their environments, the EMMETT Technique adapts to meet the unique needs of each individual, promoting relaxation and overall wellbeing.

Our chameleon logo represents the technique's core philosophy - that effective bodywork isn't about applying the same approach to everyone, but being responsive, gentle, and precisely what each
person needs.

Whether working with humans, dogs, or horses, the EMMETT Technique embodies the chameleon's wisdom of observing and responding with exactly the right touch at the right moment.

This adaptability is why "The Chameleon Approach to Body Therapy" has become our defining message - capturing the essence of what makes EMMETT
truly special.

Learn more: 👉 https://www.emmett-technique-hq.com/

01/09/2025

A few medical terms to add to my vocabulary!

31/08/2025

The human body is such a marvel!

And so is the EMMETT Technique lymphatic activation sequence!

While MLD massage works on physically moving lymphatic fluid, the EMMETT system simply works on activating the body’s own processes.
Even with specific moves to stimulate both the diaphragm and the Cisterna Chyli.

Feeling a bit sluggish?

You need to try the EMMETT lymphatics treatment at Reset Body Therapy!

🌱 The Cisterna Chyli – Your Body’s Hidden Lymph Reservoir

When most people think of the lymphatic system, they picture lymph nodes, vessels, and maybe the thoracic duct. But did you know that deep inside your abdomen lies a hidden “reservoir” of lymph that keeps your whole drainage system flowing?

That structure is called the cisterna chyli.

💧 What Is the Cisterna Chyli?

The cisterna chyli is a small, elongated sac located in front of the first and second lumbar vertebrae (L1–L2), just beneath your diaphragm.
• It’s usually about 5–7 cm long and 0.5–2 cm wide.
• Its name comes from Latin: cisterna = reservoir, and chyli = chyle (fat-rich lymph from digestion).
• It’s not always the same in everyone — in some people it’s absent or split into smaller sacs, showing how unique our lymphatic anatomy can be.

Think of it as a storage tank that collects lymph fluid before it gets pumped upward through the thoracic duct and eventually emptied into your bloodstream near your heart.

🌿 Why Is It Important?

The cisterna chyli is like the traffic controller of the lymph system:
• It gathers lymph from the intestinal trunk (draining the gut, pancreas, spleen, and liver).
• It receives lymph from the lumbar trunks (draining the legs, pelvic organs, kidneys, and adrenal glands).
• It acts as the launch point for lymph to travel up through the thoracic duct, which drains about 75% of the body’s lymph (everything below the diaphragm + the left side of the chest, arm, and head).

👉 If the cisterna chyli gets congested, it’s like a dam blocking a river — fluid backs up into the legs, abdomen, and pelvis, and even digestion and detoxification can be affected.

🥗 Link with Digestion & Detox

Because it collects lymph from the gut, the cisterna chyli plays a direct role in how your body absorbs fats and nutrients.
• After a fatty meal, it fills with a white, milky fluid called chyle.
• This fat-rich lymph is carried up through the thoracic duct and released into the blood circulation, where the body can use it for energy and hormone production.
• When the gut is inflamed (think leaky gut, food sensitivities, or infections), the cisterna chyli may become sluggish, contributing to bloating, swelling, or systemic inflammation.

This is why gut health and lymphatic health are inseparable. 🌿

🫁 The Diaphragm Connection

The cisterna chyli sits right under your diaphragm — the main muscle of breathing. Every time you take a deep breath, the diaphragm pushes down, creating pressure that helps pump lymph upward through the thoracic duct.

💡 This is why diaphragmatic breathing is one of the most powerful tools to keep lymph moving!

🔬 Fascinating Facts About the Cisterna Chyli
• It was first described in 1651 by the Italian anatomist Gaspare Aselli when he discovered “milky veins” in the mesentery of dogs.
• Because it’s hidden deep in the abdomen, most people don’t even know it exists — yet it handles the largest lymph load in the human body.
• Modern imaging (MRI/CT lymphangiography) shows that when it’s dilated or blocked, it can be a cause of chronic swelling, ascites (fluid in the abdomen), or even lymphatic leakage into the chest.

🌟 Supporting Your Cisterna Chyli

While you can’t massage it directly (it’s too deep), you can support its flow:
• Deep breathing & diaphragm exercises – stimulates the cisterna chyli pump.
• Abdominal lymphatic drainage – gentle techniques help clear gut and pelvic congestion.
• Movement & stretching – walking, yoga twists, rebounding, and hip-opening exercises enhance flow.
• Hydration – lymph is 95% water; dehydration thickens lymph and slows cisterna chyli emptying.
• Anti-inflammatory nutrition – supporting gut health (probiotics, omega-3s, whole foods) reduces lymphatic load.

✨ Final Thought

The cisterna chyli may be hidden, but it’s one of the most powerful structures in your lymphatic universe. When you support it, you’re not just helping fluid move — you’re supporting digestion, detox, liver function, and whole-body balance.

It’s a reminder that the lymphatic system is not only about swelling — it’s about life, energy, and flow. 🌿💛

📌 Written by Bianca Botha, CLT, RLD, MLDT, CDS
Certified Lymphoedema Therapist | Reflexology Lymph Drainage Practitioner | Manual Lymphatic Drainage Therapist | Certified Detox Specialist

⚠️ Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider before making changes to your diet, exercise, or health regimen.

27/08/2025

The gentlest of touch can have such a huge effect.

Discover how EMMETT Technique Practitioner Natalie from Cairns, QLD helped support a 13-month-old baby's comfort and wellbeing💙

"I was asked to visit a 13-month-old infant who couldn't talk, stand, walk, or sit without being propped.

When you tried to stand him up, his feet were bent and flat to the floor. He showed no signs of being mischievous or curious but had quite a happy personality.

He'd been going to physio and speech pathology without results.

I visited, assessed, and did a few gentle EMMETT moves - which he was quite happy with and not distressed at all.

A few minutes later, he was sitting independently, holding his core normally, and one leg reaching out to draw the blanket towards himself.

Mum was nearly in tears with joy and said she'd never seen him sit up or have any deliberate control over his legs."

The EMMETT Technique is suitable for everyone, including babies, providing gentle, non-invasive support that works with the body's natural ability to heal itself.

23/08/2025

Surviving and healing from trauma is not about apportioning blame, but about learning how to respond rather than react.
It’s not about blaming the trigger, but learning how to govern the process.
This is where vagus nerve resetting comes in.
It is one of the most important resets you can have.

20/08/2025

This is why I always incorporate a very light touch stimulation to three points on either side of the head when I give a lymphatics treatment.
Clients who normally struggle to get a solid night’s sleep report sleeping right through and feeling great the next day!
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🌙 Insomnia and the Lymphatic System: The Missing Link in Restorative Sleep

“Sleep is the golden chain that binds health and our bodies together.” — Thomas Dekker

But what if that chain is broken? Millions suffer from insomnia, tossing and turning night after night. While most people focus on hormones, stress, or screen time as culprits, few consider one of the most overlooked players in the sleep equation — the lymphatic system.

Let’s explore the hidden connection between restorative sleep and lymphatic flow, and why your sleepless nights might have more to do with drainage than you think.

🧠 The Brain Has a Lymphatic System Too

Until recently, scientists believed the brain was excluded from the lymphatic system — until the discovery of the glymphatic system, the brain’s unique waste clearance pathway that mimics lymphatic function.

During deep sleep, the glymphatic system:
• Increases interstitial space by up to 60%
• Flushes out toxins like beta-amyloid and tau proteins (linked to Alzheimer’s)
• Removes excess fluid and cellular debris
• Relies on healthy CSF (cerebrospinal fluid) flow and lymphatic drainage at the cervical and subclavian nodes

Without proper sleep, this entire cleaning cycle is disrupted.

🌿 How Lymphatic Congestion Affects Sleep

When the lymphatic system is congested, your body struggles to:
• Drain inflammatory waste
• Regulate the immune system
• Balance hormones like melatonin and cortisol
• Remove neurotoxins from the brainstem and hypothalamus — the sleep control centers

Common lymphatic symptoms that disrupt sleep include:
• Puffy face or swollen nodes at night
• Heaviness in the head or neck
• Restless legs
• Waking up between 2–4 a.m. (linked to liver/lymphatic detox overload)

🔄 A Vicious Cycle: Poor Sleep = Poor Drainage

When you don’t sleep:
• The glymphatic system slows down
• Inflammation increases
• Lymph flow becomes sluggish
• Cortisol rises (making sleep even harder)

And when lymph stagnates:
• Toxins build up in the brain
• Nervous system becomes hyperactive
• Chronic insomnia becomes more likely

✅ What Can Help?

1. Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD)

Gentle lymphatic massage, especially around the neck, scalp, and clavicles, can:
• Calm the vagus nerve
• Reduce inflammation
• Stimulate CSF flow
• Improve parasympathetic tone for deeper sleep

2. Infrared Sauna or Castor Oil Packs

Promote internal drainage and liver detox — essential for overnight toxin processing.

3. Elevate the Head at Night

Encourages gravity-assisted brain drainage via the glymphatic and cervical lymphatic system.

4. Lymph-Loving Herbs

Such as red root, cleavers, chamomile, and passionflower — they support gentle detox while calming the nervous system.

5. Magnesium + Hydration

Magnesium glycinate supports relaxation, while good hydration supports fluid exchange in lymphatic and CSF flow.

💤 Final Thoughts

Sleep is not just about closing your eyes — it’s about opening your detox pathways.

By supporting your lymphatic and glymphatic systems, you don’t just sleep longer — you sleep deeper, wake up clearer, and give your body the chance to heal, restore, and thrive.

Your sleepless nights may not be a failure of willpower or routine — they may simply be a call from your lymphatic system to drain, detox, and reset.

This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider before making changes to your diet, exercise, or health regimen.

©️

19/08/2025

So, how big is your pain?
Hold my beer!

Experienced EMMETT 4 Horses Australian Instructor Narelle Sealey shows us that the size of the animal doesn’t matter! Notice the stillness and calm shown by ...