Edson Massage & Manual Osteopathic Therapy

Edson Massage & Manual Osteopathic Therapy Grace Levesque, RMT, MOT
www.edsonmassagetherapy.ca

08/05/2025
Your pain on your low back (L1 and L2 ) on  the left side might be something to do with your viscera,,  your PANCREAS
08/05/2025

Your pain on your low back (L1 and L2 ) on the left side might be something to do with your viscera,, your PANCREAS

07/29/2025

🧠 Why Does Your Brain Swell When Your Lymphatic System Is Blocked?

We often associate the lymphatic system with body swelling, immunity, or detox — but did you know it plays a vital role in clearing waste from your brain?

When your lymphatic system is blocked, your brain may actually start to swell — not just emotionally with stress, but physically with fluid, inflammation, and pressure. And this can silently affect your memory, focus, mood, and even your risk for neurological disease.

Let’s break it down.

1. Your Brain Has Its Own Drainage System

Just like your body, your brain accumulates cellular waste every day — including amyloid beta, tau proteins, and other byproducts of thinking, moving, and even healing. If this waste isn’t cleared, it builds up and creates inflammation that affects how you think and feel.

Enter the glymphatic system — a recently discovered brain-cleaning pathway that works alongside your lymphatic system. It becomes active mostly during deep sleep and uses cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) to wash toxins out of the brain and into nearby cervical lymphatic vessels in the neck.

2. Blocked Lymph = Blocked Brain Drain

If your neck lymph nodes are swollen, congested, or chronically inflamed, the exit pathways for brain waste become clogged. This can happen due to:
• Poor posture and forward head tilt
• Chronic sinus infections or congestion
• High cortisol and adrenal stress
• Head or neck trauma
• Poor hydration and sleep quality

When the “exit pipes” are blocked, brain pressure rises and toxins remain in the brain — triggering symptoms.

3. What Does This Feel Like?

Many people silently experience symptoms of brain lymphatic stagnation without ever realizing it. You may notice:
• 🔁 Brain fog or mental fatigue
• 💥 Pressure headaches, especially behind the eyes or base of the skull
• 🧊 Puffy face and neck in the morning
• 😵‍💫 Vertigo or balance issues
• 😔 Depression, irritability, or anxiety
• 💤 Waking up tired despite “sleeping”

In more advanced cases, glymphatic dysfunction has even been linked to Alzheimer’s, multiple sclerosis, and neuroinflammation.

4. The Healing Starts at the Neck

Supporting your brain’s lymphatic drainage doesn’t have to be complicated. Start with these science-backed steps:

✅ Sleep on your side

This position improves glymphatic flow up to 4x compared to sleeping on your back.

✅ Gentle Manual Lymphatic Drainage

A qualified therapist can help stimulate drainage through the deep cervical nodes, allowing CSF and brain waste to exit.

✅ Stay hydrated with electrolytes

Brain fluid balance relies on proper sodium-potassium channels. Hydration + minerals = better flow.

✅ Neck mobility exercises

Releasing tight neck and jaw muscles (including the scalenes and sternocleidomastoid) frees up lymph vessels.

✅ Lower inflammation

Focus on an anti-inflammatory diet and stress-reducing practices like breathwork, prayer, or gentle movement.

🌿 Bottom Line: Your Brain Needs to Drain

The brain is not just protected by bone — it’s protected by flow. When lymph stagnates, the brain swells. When lymph moves, the brain heals.

If you’re experiencing mystery brain fog, head pressure, or fatigue that doesn’t go away, it may be time to look beyond blood tests and into your lymphatic health.

⚠️ 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.

©️

Did you know that scar tissue can sometimes caused by EMOTIONAL TRAUMA??
07/26/2025

Did you know that scar tissue can sometimes caused by EMOTIONAL TRAUMA??

🔥 “Scars Hold More Than You Think”

The Silent Blockages Affecting Your Lymphatic System, Detox & Emotions

We often think of scars as healed wounds — closed chapters, no longer relevant to our health.
But what if I told you… your scars might be silently disrupting your body’s healing every single day?

This isn’t just theory.
It’s a deeply overlooked reality in both lymphatic health and emotional healing.

🧬 Scars = Blockages Beneath the Surface

When the skin is cut — through injury, surgery, or trauma — it doesn’t just affect the surface.
It cuts through fascia, disrupts lymphatic vessels, and can imprint itself in the nervous system.

As the body heals, scar tissue forms like glue. It binds. It tightens. It anchors.
And while this is necessary for wound closure, it often creates long-term stagnation in:
• Lymphatic drainage pathways
• Fascial flow and elasticity
• Neurovascular signaling
• Energetic and emotional processing

🌿 Common Types of “Stuck” Scars
• C-section or abdominal scars → Can block pelvic, digestive, and leg drainage
• Appendectomy scars → May affect colon motility and lymphatic gut support
• Thyroid or neck scars → Can limit vagus nerve tone and upper chest/cervical lymph flow
• Breast surgery/lumpectomy scars → Can congest axillary (armpit) and chest nodes
• Knee/hip surgery scars → May impair lower limb drainage and create chronic inflammation

You may feel fine… but your body remembers.

💥 Symptoms of Lymphatic or Fascial Blockage from Scars:
• Puffiness or swelling that won’t go away
• Tightness, pulling, or discomfort around the scar
• Poor digestion or bloating near abdominal scars
• Fatigue, brain fog, or a feeling of “being stuck”
• Emotional release or unexpected tears during scar work

Because trauma isn’t just held in the mind — it’s stored in the fascia, and it affects the lymph.

✨ How to Release the Scar and Restore the Flow:

Here’s the good news — scars can be softened, healed, and released.

Tools for Scar Healing:
• 🌿 Castor oil packs – to soften adhesions and improve circulation
• ✨ Red light therapy – to stimulate regeneration and collagen remodeling
• 🤲 Gentle lymphatic massage – to support drainage and decrease congestion
• 💨 Fascial release therapy – to unglue and rehydrate connective tissue
• 🪡 Dry needling or advanced scar release techniques – only by trained professionals
• 🕊️ Emotional somatic release – especially for trauma-related scars

🧠 Final WOW:

A scar might be only a few centimeters long…
But it can block the entire flow of detox, emotion, and energy.

🌬️ Where lymph cannot flow, inflammation grows.
🌸 Where fascia cannot move, emotions get stuck.
⚡ Where trauma isn’t released, healing can’t complete.

So if you’ve tried everything — and something still feels “stuck” — maybe the answer is… your scar.

Let healing rise beneath the surface.
Because every inch of your body deserves to flow freely again.

©️

Lymphatic system is NOT a hydraulic system compared to vascular that has heart to pump it...Lymph however needs mobility...
07/20/2025

Lymphatic system is NOT a hydraulic system compared to vascular that has heart to pump it...Lymph however needs mobility to be able to move/flow. (Gastroc muscle is a second heart) foot dorsiflexion and extension during leg elevation is a helpful exercise for lymph flow.

💪🏽 Flex It, Flow It! — Why Your Muscles Matter to Your Lymphatic System 🌿

Ever wondered why movement makes you feel better when you’re puffy, sluggish, or swollen? It’s not just about “getting fit” — it’s about getting your lymph moving. 🌀

Let’s talk about your muscles — not just the ones you flex, but the unsung heroes of lymphatic flow that work behind the scenes to keep your internal rivers draining and detoxing. 🫶🏼

❤️ Why Your Lymph Needs a Muscle Partner

Your blood has a pump — the heart.
Your lymphatic system? No pump. No pressure system. Just YOU and your muscles.

Muscle contractions literally squeeze lymphatic vessels (especially the initial lymphatics and collecting ducts) to push lymph fluid upward and toward the thoracic duct, where it’s returned to circulation.

This is why muscles = movement = lymph flow.

🦵🏼 1. Gastrocnemius + Soleus (Posterior Lower Leg)

Nickname: “The Second Heart”
Location: Back of the calf

Why they matter:
These powerful lower leg muscles pump lymph and venous blood upward from the legs to the torso — working against gravity. They’re crucial in preventing lower limb congestion, swelling, and pooling.

🌀 Think: Calf raises, walking, ankle pumps = lymphatic gold

🧍🏻‍♀️ 2. Quadriceps Femoris (Anterior Thigh)

Location: Front of the thigh

Why they matter:
These are the largest muscle group in the body. When they contract (especially during walking, squatting, or climbing stairs), they help compress the inguinal lymph nodes and deep lymphatic vessels of the legs — pushing lymph back up through the iliac lymph chains.

🌀 Think: Squats, leg lifts, cycling = inguinal flow boost

🍑 3. Gluteus Maximus, Medius & Minimus (Buttocks)

Location: Back and sides of the hip

Why they matter:
These muscles sit directly above deep pelvic lymphatic pathways. Contracting them (through hip extension or lateral movements) helps stimulate pelvic lymph flow, supports detoxification from reproductive organs, and improves sciatic drainage.

🌀 Think: Stair climbing, bridges, lunges = pelvic pump!

💪🏼 4. Biceps Brachii + Triceps Brachii (Upper Arm)

Location: Front and back of the upper arm

Why they matter:
These muscles support axillary lymph drainage, which clears fluid from the arms, chest, and breast area. Muscle activity in this area prevents arm swelling and supports post-surgical recovery (e.g., mastectomy care).

🌀 Think: Arm circles, resistance bands, light weights = axillary activation

🧠 5. Diaphragm (Respiratory Muscle Under the Ribcage)

Location: Underneath the lungs, separating thoracic and abdominal cavities

Why it matters:
The diaphragm is your internal lymph pump. Each deep breath causes pressure changes in the thoracic cavity, drawing lymph upward into the thoracic duct — especially from the liver, gut, and lower body.

🌀 Think: Deep belly breathing, humming, singing = thoracic duct stimulation

🧍🏼‍♀️ 6. Transversus Abdominis + Re**us Abdominis (Core Muscles)

Location: Deep and superficial abdominal wall
Why they matter:
These core stabilizers are near abdominal lymphatic vessels and intestinal lymphatic nodes (Peyer’s patches). Contracting them assists gut lymph movement and visceral detox.

🌀 Think: Gentle core work, pelvic tilts, Pilates = abdominal lymph flow

🎉 Muscles = Movement = Magic

Your muscles are more than just movers — they’re lymph lifters, detox activators, and drainage directors.
When you move them, you literally help your body cleanse, de-puff, and reboot.

So the next time you stretch, lift, squat, or breathe deeply…
Whisper to yourself:
“This one’s for my lymph.” 🌿💗

07/11/2025

🌞 Support Your Clients’ Summer Wellness Goals with CST 🌞
Encourage your clients to explore gentle, effective manual therapy this season.

Our CranioSacral Therapy for Health and Wellness flyer is a great resource to help clients understand how CST can relieve pain, reduce stress, and support whole-body healing.

📄 Share the flyer and let your clients discover how CST can make a difference in their health journey!

Craniosacral therapy balances the nervous system by stimulating the longest parasympathethic cranial nerve, .Cranial ner...
07/09/2025

Craniosacral therapy balances the nervous system by stimulating the longest parasympathethic cranial nerve, .Cranial nerve #10 VAGUS NERVE

You can’t heal in fight-or-flight.

Your body has two modes: survival or restoration. And what you eat can help determine which one you’re in.

Ultra-processed foods, excess sugar, and caffeine without adequate protein create blood sugar chaos. Each spike and crash sends a stress signal to your brain: cortisol rises, your heart rate jumps, and your nervous system prepares for threat.

In this state, your body isn’t focused on healing. Digestion slows. Detoxification stalls. Immune and reproductive function are put on pause…

But here’s the good news: You can regulate your nervous system starting with your metabolism.
- Protein-rich, nutrient-dense meals keep blood sugar steady.
- Nutrients like magnesium, B vitamins, and omega-3s support neurotransmitter balance.
- Daily rhythms of whole foods, quality sleep, movement, and rest send the signal: you’re safe.

Of course, nutrition is only one piece of the puzzle. You also have to do the inner work: Unwinding chronic stress, setting boundaries, releasing stored trauma, and creating emotional safety all help shift your body out of survival mode.

Healing happens when your body and mind both feel safe. Start with your plate and build from there.

Your nervous system is listening to everything: your food, your thoughts, your environment. When it senses safety, it finally gets to do what it’s designed to do: heal. ♥️

Allergens is one of  the LYMPH OBLIGATORY LOAD (waste) carries by lymphatic vessels.   helps
07/06/2025

Allergens is one of the LYMPH OBLIGATORY LOAD (waste) carries by lymphatic vessels. helps

🌿 Allergies & Your Lymphatic System: The Overlooked Link Behind Histamine Havoc

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 health regimen.

🤧 Introduction: Allergies Aren’t Just a Nose Thing

When we think of allergies, we usually picture sneezing, itchy eyes, or skin rashes. But these symptoms are just the surface. Beneath the runny noses and watery eyes lies a complex immune cascade, tightly regulated by the lymphatic system—the body’s silent immune highway.

Allergic reactions are not isolated events. They are systemic immune responses, and the lymphatic system plays a pivotal role in detecting allergens, triggering immune responses, and clearing inflammatory debris.

🧬 What Happens During an Allergic Reaction?

An allergic reaction occurs when the immune system mistakenly identifies a harmless substance (like pollen or food proteins) as a threat. This leads to:
• Overproduction of Immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies
• Activation of mast cells and basophils
• A surge of histamine, cytokines, and leukotrienes
• Inflammation, tissue fluid buildup, and immune dysregulation

While the lungs, skin, or gut may be the entry points, the lymphatic system is the main command center regulating the full-body response.

🌿 The Lymphatic System’s Role in Allergies

The lymphatic system is responsible for:
• Draining interstitial fluid from tissues
• Filtering pathogens and antigens in lymph nodes
• Transporting immune cells, including T and B lymphocytes
• Clearing inflammatory waste and managing immune balance

In the context of allergies, this system becomes hyperactive and overloaded, which can result in persistent inflammation, lymph node swelling, and fluid retention.

🔬 1. Allergen Entry & Immune Activation

When an allergen enters the body (through the skin, airways, or gut), dendritic cells pick it up and travel to the nearest lymph node, where they present it to T-helper cells.
• In allergic individuals, these T-cells skew toward a Th2 response
• B cells in the lymph node then produce IgE antibodies
• IgE binds to mast cells, priming them for a future reaction

📌 This entire cascade is orchestrated in the lymphatic system, primarily within the nodes.

💥 2. Histamine Storm & Vascular Overload

On subsequent exposure, the allergen cross-links the IgE on mast cells, causing a dramatic release of histamine and inflammatory mediators.

This causes:
• Vasodilation (blood vessels widen)
• Increased capillary permeability (fluid leaks into tissues)
• Mucosal swelling and itching

The lymphatic vessels now face excess fluid load, trying to reabsorb and drain the interstitial buildup. If they can’t keep up, congestion, puffiness, and swollen nodes occur.

💧 3. Lymphatic Congestion & Swollen Nodes

Chronic inflammation from allergies leads to:
• Lymphatic vessel fatigue
• Swollen or reactive lymph nodes (especially in the neck, armpits, and gut-associated areas)
• Inhibited lymph flow, resulting in facial puffiness, fatigue, brain fog, and sinus pressure

📌 A sluggish lymphatic system may worsen allergy symptoms, forming a vicious cycle.

🌀 4. Chronic Allergies & Immune Exhaustion

In long-term allergies like eczema, rhinitis, or food sensitivities:
• Lymph nodes undergo lymphoid hyperplasia (enlargement due to overwork)
• Tolerance mechanisms break down
• The immune system stays on high alert, leading to low-grade chronic inflammation

This overload can leave you feeling tired, foggy, and puffy, even when not actively reacting to an allergen.

⚠️ Signs of Lymphatic Involvement in Allergies
• Swollen lymph nodes (especially in the neck or underarms)
• Puffy eyelids or facial swelling
• Chronic sinus pressure or post-nasal drip
• “Heavy head” sensation or brain fog
• Digestive bloating after allergen exposure
• General fatigue or sluggishness during allergy flares

🛠️ How to Support Lymphatic Flow During Allergy Season

✅ 1. Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD)

Gentle massage techniques help clear sinus congestion, reduce facial swelling, and assist fluid drainage from affected tissues.

✅ 2. Histamine-Modulating Foods & Herbs
• Quercetin – Stabilizes mast cells
• Stinging nettle – Natural antihistamine
• Vitamin C – Supports immune regulation
• Omega-3s – Reduces inflammatory signaling
• Bromelain – Aids in sinus and tissue drainage

✅ 3. Movement & Rebounding

Light exercise and rebounding stimulate lymph flow and reduce stagnation.

✅ 4. Liver & Gut Support

Support detoxification pathways with:
• Bitter herbs (dandelion, burdock)
• Probiotics (gut-immune axis support)
• Hydration and fiber for regular elimination

🧠 Final Thought

The lymphatic system is not just a drainage system—it’s a key player in allergic immune regulation. When it’s sluggish or overwhelmed, your allergic reactions may feel amplified and prolonged. Supporting lymph flow can not only ease symptoms but promote a more balanced and resilient immune response.

✨ So, next time your allergies flare up—don’t just reach for an antihistamine. Think drainage, detox, and lymphatic flow.

📚 References:
1. Akdis CA. “Mechanisms of allergen-specific immunotherapy and immune tolerance to allergens.” World Allergy Organ J. 2015;8(1):17. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40413-015-0076-3
2. Theoharides TC, et al. “Mast cells, inflammation, and autoimmunity.” J Clin Pharmacol. 2008;48(9):1099-1110. https://doi.org/10.1177/0091270008321135
3. Kataru RP, et al. “Lymphatic dysfunction in chronic inflammatory diseases.” Trends Immunol. 2019;40(6): 420-436. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.it.2019.01.007
4. Rockson SG. “The lymphatics and the inflammatory response: lessons learned from human lymphedema.” Lymphat Res Biol. 2013;11(3):117–120. https://doi.org/10.1089/lrb.2013.0030
5. Oliver G, Detmar M. “The rediscovery of the lymphatic system: old and new insights into the development and biological function of the lymphatic vasculature.” Genes Dev. 2002;16(7):773–783. https://doi.org/10.1101/gad.975002

©️

Happy canada day everyone
07/01/2025

Happy canada day everyone

Lymphatic system is also a waste system
06/29/2025

Lymphatic system is also a waste system

💚 Why We Must Teach People About the Lymphatic System: The Silent System That Holds the Key to Health
When we talk about the body, we often praise the heart for beating, the lungs for breathing, and the brain for thinking. But there is one vital system that often goes unnoticed — the lymphatic system. Silent, gentle, and rarely mentioned in everyday health conversations, it is one of the most essential systems for immunity, detoxification, healing, and vitality.

And yet, most people don’t even know it exists.

So, why is it so important to teach people about their lymphatic system?

🌊 1. Because Lymph Flow = Life Flow
The lymphatic system is your body’s internal river — draining waste, toxins, and inflammation from every cell. It filters over 3 liters of fluid daily, transporting immune cells and maintaining tissue health.

When lymph doesn’t move, the body becomes stagnant, swollen, tired, and inflamed. And unlike the heart, the lymph has no pump — it depends entirely on your movement, hydration, breath, and self-care.

Teaching people about lymph is teaching them how to flow again — physically, emotionally, and energetically.

🧬 2. Because It’s a First Responder in Disease
The lymphatic system plays a critical role in immune defense, filtering bacteria, viruses, cancer cells, and toxins through over 600 lymph nodes in the body. When we educate people about the lymphatic system, we empower them to:

Understand why their immune system may be struggling
Recognize signs of lymphatic congestion early
Reduce risk of chronic inflammation and autoimmunity
In times of rising illness, teaching lymphatic health is not a luxury — it’s a necessity.

🔍 3. Because Symptoms Are Trying to Speak
From brain fog to bloating, from acne to fatigue, from cellulite to frequent infections — many symptoms are actually lymphatic signals.

We must teach people to listen to these signs, not just suppress them.

A sluggish lymphatic system can lead to:

Poor detox and hormonal imbalances
Fluid retention and swelling
Weakened immune response
Gut-brain-liver axis dysfunction
By making people aware, we give them the tools to respond with gentle, effective, holistic care.

🤲 4. Because Prevention is Better Than Panic
Many people only learn about the lymphatic system after surgery, cancer, or a chronic diagnosis. But what if we didn’t wait until crisis?

What if we taught children, mothers, and communities:

The importance of hydration
How deep breathing moves lymph
How rebounders, dry brushing, and castor oil packs support flow
Why rest, movement, and nutrition matter for detox?
By teaching lymph early, we plant the seeds of resilience and prevention.

🌿 5. Because People Deserve to Know Their Bodies
There is something deeply healing about understanding your own anatomy. When people learn about the lymphatic system, they feel empowered, not overwhelmed. They see that healing isn’t always about force — it’s about rhythm, flow, and listening.

This system teaches us:

“Healing is not a race. It’s a river. And rivers take time.”
🌈 Final Thought: The Quiet System With a Loud Message
The lymphatic system doesn’t ask for attention — but it deserves it.
It doesn’t make noise — but it carries life.
It doesn’t ask for perfection — but it responds to presence.

When we teach people about the lymph, we don’t just teach anatomy.
We teach sovereignty. Connection. Care. Hope.

So let’s keep teaching. Let’s keep flowing.
Because the more people understand the lymph,
The more they’ll understand themselves.

📌 This article is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Please consult your healthcare provider before making changes to your health routine.

©️

Address

214 50th Street
Edson, AB
T7E1X7

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 2:30pm
Tuesday 9am - 2:30pm
Wednesday 9am - 2:30pm
Thursday 9am - 2:30pm
Friday 9am - 2:30pm

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