Studio Figura Birmingham

12/01/2026

🍷 Alcohol, Fat Burning & Your Lymph

What your body actually prioritises first

Many people believe fat loss is simply about eating less or exercising more.
But the body doesn’t work on motivation — it works on priority systems.

One of the most misunderstood priorities is alcohol metabolism.

This post is not about guilt or restriction 🤍
It’s about understanding what your body does behind the scenes so your choices become informed.

🧠 The body’s first rule: safety first

Alcohol is not a nutrient.
It cannot be stored.
It is treated as a toxin.

So when alcohol enters the body, the liver immediately shifts into detox mode.

This means:
• Alcohol is metabolised first
• Other processes are temporarily deprioritised
• Fat burning slows while detoxification takes place

This does not mean fat burning stops forever.
It means it is temporarily reduced while the body protects you.

🔬 Why fat burning slows (but isn’t broken)

While alcohol is being processed:
• Fat oxidation is suppressed
• The body relies more on alcohol and glucose for fuel
• Stored fat is placed “on hold”

Your body isn’t failing you — it’s doing its job efficiently.

🌊 Where the lymphatic system comes in

This is the piece many people miss.

The lymphatic system:
• Clears metabolic waste
• Supports liver detox pathways
• Regulates fluid balance
• Depends on hydration, movement, and breathing

Alcohol can:
• Dehydrate tissues
• Thicken lymph fluid
• Increase inflammatory load
• Place extra demand on the liver

When lymph flow slows, people may notice:
• Puffiness
• Fluid retention
• Slower visible progress

⚖️ Can you still lose fat if you drink?

Yes — fat loss is still possible over time if you are in a calorie deficit.

However, alcohol can make progress feel slower because it may:
• Reduce fat-burning efficiency for hours
• Disrupt sleep (affecting hormones)
• Increase appetite the next day
• Contribute to fluid retention

So it’s not about “can I” — it’s about how often and how aware.

💡 The real “aha” moment

Instead of asking:
❌ Can I drink and still lose weight?

Try asking:
✅ How often do I want my body to pause fat burning and lymph flow?

Awareness changes everything.

🌿 Final thought for Lymphies

This isn’t about restriction.
It’s about working with your body, not against it.

Your body is intelligent.
Your lymphatic system is protective.
Once you understand the priorities, everything starts to make sense 🤍

⚠️ 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.

05/01/2026

05/01/2026

26/12/2025

🎄Who’s in? 🎄

27/11/2025

Christmas countdown has begun 🌲

28/09/2025

🌸 What Happens With Your Lymphatic System During Your Period?

Most people think of the menstrual cycle as purely hormonal — but did you know your lymphatic system plays a vital role too? The lymph system is like your body’s fluid, waste, and immune highway, and during your period it works overtime to keep things in balance. Let’s explore the fascinating connection.

🔄 Hormonal Shifts & Fluid Retention

Right before your period, estrogen and progesterone levels drop. This hormonal shift can:
• Increase aldosterone activity, which makes your body hold onto salt and water.
• Cause swelling in tissues → bloating, puffiness, and heaviness.

👉 Your lymphatic system tries to drain this excess fluid through the pelvic and abdominal lymph nodes. However, when hormones interfere with capillary and lymphatic permeability, drainage slows down — making swelling, sore breasts, or water retention worse.

💧 Lymph Flow, Pelvic Congestion & Cramping

The pelvis is packed with lymph nodes that drain the uterus, ovaries, bladder, and intestines. During your period:
• Blood flow to the uterus increases as the lining is shed.
• Surrounding tissues can become inflamed and congested.
• Pelvic lymph nodes work harder to clear cell debris, inflammatory molecules, and extra fluid.

This increased load explains why many feel:
• Lower abdominal cramps
• Heaviness in the hips and groin
• Swelling in the thighs or legs

💡 Some women even report stabbing pains near the groin nodes — a sign of temporary lymphatic or nerve sensitivity as fluid shifts.

🧠 Nervous System & Pain Sensitivity

The lymphatic system also links with your autonomic nervous system. Stress, poor sleep, or emotional strain before your period can tighten muscles and fascia around lymph pathways. This slows drainage and may amplify pain signals, making cramps or aches more intense.

🌿 Immune System & Inflammation

Your period is not just bleeding — it’s a controlled inflammatory process. The immune system helps safely break down and remove the uterine lining.
• Macrophages clear old blood cells.
• T-cells regulate inflammation.
• Pelvic lymph nodes act as “checkpoints” to prevent infection.

This is why some people feel achy, run down, or even notice mildly swollen lymph nodes at this time.

⚡ Why You May Feel Exhausted

When your lymph system is busy clearing fluid, waste, and immune debris, your energy naturally dips. Combined with hormone changes, this can trigger:
• Fatigue
• Muscle or joint aches
• Low motivation

This isn’t weakness — it’s your body saying:
“Hey, I’m in detox-and-renewal mode. Be kind to me.”

🌸 How to Support Your Lymph During Your Period
1. Gentle Movement – Walking, stretching, rebounding, or yoga pumps lymph and eases cramps.
2. Warm Compresses or Castor Oil Packs – Relax tissues, improve pelvic circulation, and soothe inflammation.
3. Hydration & Mineral Balance – Water plus electrolytes (magnesium, potassium) help lymph flow and reduce bloating.
4. Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) – Gentle abdominal drainage can ease pelvic congestion and heaviness in the legs.
5. Anti-inflammatory Foods – Berries, leafy greens, turmeric, ginger, and omega-3s support both lymph and hormones.
6. Deep Breathing – The diaphragm acts like a pump for lymph; slow breathing supports both lymph flow and relaxation.
7. Epsom Salt Baths – Magnesium helps calm muscles, reduce inflammation, and support detox pathways.

✨ In short: Your lymphatic system works extra hard during your period — balancing hormones, moving fluid, clearing inflammation, and protecting immunity. By giving it extra support through hydration, movement, and relaxation, you can make your cycle feel lighter, calmer, and more balanced.

Bianca Botha CLT, RLD, MLDT & CDS
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.

27/09/2025

🎈 Bra’s & Your Lymphatic System 🎈

By Bianca Botha, CLT, RLD, MLDT, CDS

We wear them. We fight with them. We secretly fling them across the room the second we get home. Yes—bras. But have you ever thought about what your bra is doing to your lymphatic system? 👀

Your lymphatic system is your body’s quiet cleaning crew—working 24/7 to clear out waste, keep your immune system sharp, and make sure your fluids are flowing smoothly. So what happens when your bra joins the party? Let’s break it down with some science… and a little humor.

🎈 1. Restriction of Lymphatic Flow

That tight underwire bra? Think of it like putting a traffic jam on your body’s natural “highway of healing.” 🚦
When lymph nodes under your arms or around your chest get squished, the lymph fluid can’t drain properly. This can leave your body feeling a little “clogged up”—like forgetting to take the trash out for a week.

🎈 2. Lymphatic Drainage Areas

Your axillary lymph nodes (those little bean-shaped nodes in your armpits) are responsible for draining fluid from your chest, breasts, and arms. If your bra is too tight here, it’s like closing the exit ramps on a busy freeway. No one likes a road closure—especially your lymph! 🚧

🎈 3. Breast Health

Healthy lymph flow = happy breasts. 🌸
Some researchers suggest that when lymph flow is restricted, it might contribute to breast tenderness or swelling. While the science is still evolving, one thing’s for sure: your breasts will thank you for letting them breathe.

🎈 4. Fitting and Material

Bras aren’t the enemy—it’s the wrong bra that causes drama. 🕵️‍♀️
Opt for well-fitted bras made from breathable fabric. If your bra leaves red marks like it’s trying to brand you, that’s your sign to size up or switch styles.

🎈 5. Movement = Lymphatic Flow

Here’s the fun part: your lymph LOVES movement. Jumping, dancing, stretching, laughing—yes, even laughing—helps keep lymph fluid flowing. 😂
So if your bra is so tight that you can’t bust out a dance move or reach for the top shelf, it’s time for a rethink.

Fun Fact 🎉

Did you know? Some women call that magical moment of unclipping their bra the “second coming of oxygen.” And guess what? Your lymphatic system probably agrees.

✨ Takeaway: Bras should support, not strangle. Choose comfort, let your lymph flow, and remember—it’s not you, it’s the bra.

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 health routine.

25/09/2025

🔥 Inflammation & the Lymphatic System: What’s Really Happening in Your Body?

We often hear the word inflammation like it’s the villain in every health story. But the truth is, inflammation isn’t the enemy — it’s the body’s cry for help, and the lymphatic system is one of its first responders.

Let’s break this down.

🧠 What Is Inflammation?

Inflammation is your body’s natural defense mechanism.
When your body senses harm — from an infection, toxin, injury, or even stress — it releases chemical messengers that tell your immune system: “Hey! Something’s wrong. Fix it.”

There are two types of inflammation:
1. Acute inflammation – short-term, helpful (like swelling after an injury)
2. Chronic inflammation – long-term, damaging (silent, ongoing, and linked to conditions like autoimmune disease, fatigue, brain fog, weight gain, and more)

Inflammation brings heat, redness, swelling, and pain — all part of the healing response.

But here’s the catch: if your body can’t clear out the inflammation, it becomes stuck in a loop — and that’s where your lymphatic system comes in.

💧 What Does Inflammation Do to the Lymphatic System?

Chronic inflammation overwhelms the lymphatic system — the very network responsible for:
• Draining excess fluid
• Removing toxins, pathogens, and damaged cells
• Regulating immune responses
• Keeping tissue spaces clean

When inflammation lingers:
• Lymph vessels can slow down or become congested
• Lymph nodes stay swollen and overworked
• Detox slows → you feel puffy, heavy, and foggy
• Healing stalls because waste isn’t being cleared

It’s like trying to clean your house, but no one takes out the garbage. Eventually, the system backs up.

🌿 How Your Lymphatic System Can Help Reduce Inflammation

The lymphatic system isn’t just affected by inflammation — it also holds the power to resolve it.

When your lymph flows freely:
✅ Inflammatory debris is removed
✅ Cytokine storms are calmed
✅ Immune cells are delivered and regulated
✅ Tissues are oxygenated and able to repair
✅ Swelling and pain decrease

That’s why supporting lymphatic function is key in healing chronic pain, leaky gut, skin issues, autoimmune conditions, post-surgical swelling, and even brain fog.

🛠️ Ways to Support Your Lymph and Reduce Inflammation:
• Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) – physically stimulates flow and reduces swelling
• Deep breathing – the diaphragm is a lymph pump!
• Hydration – lymph is 95% water
• Gentle movement – walking, stretching, or rebounding gets things moving
• Anti-inflammatory nutrition – reduce sugar, seed oils, and processed food
• Castor oil packs – especially over the liver or abdomen
• Proper gut care – where most inflammation begins

🌸 Final Thoughts

Inflammation is not your enemy — it’s your body trying to heal.
But if your lymphatic system is stagnant, that healing process becomes stuck, and symptoms start to speak louder.

Supporting your lymphatic system isn’t just a wellness trend — it’s a biological necessity for clearing inflammation, restoring balance, and allowing your body to do what it was designed to do: heal.

So if you’re bloated, aching, swollen, or tired…
Maybe your body isn’t failing you.
Maybe it’s just waiting for flow.

©️

25/09/2025

🍂 Time for self care 🍂

06/09/2025

The Lymphatic System & Arthritis: The Hidden Connection 🌿💪

✅ Did you know that your lymphatic system plays a crucial role in managing inflammation and joint pain? Many people struggling with arthritis focus only on the joints themselves, but supporting the lymphatic system can be a game-changer in reducing pain, stiffness, and swelling.

🧐 What Is the Lymphatic System?

The lymphatic system is like the body’s natural drainage system, responsible for:
✔️ Removing toxins, waste, and excess fluids 💧
✔️ Supporting the immune system 🛡️
✔️ Reducing inflammation 🔥
✔️ Transporting white blood cells to fight infections 🦠

When the lymphatic system is sluggish, toxins and inflammatory proteins can build up, leading to swollen joints, stiffness, and chronic pain—symptoms commonly associated with arthritis.

🤕 How Does a Sluggish Lymphatic System Affect Arthritis?

If your lymphatic system is not working properly, inflammation increases, and the body struggles to eliminate toxins that worsen arthritis symptoms. Here’s how:

🔴 Fluid Retention & Swelling – Poor lymphatic drainage leads to puffiness in the joints.
🔴 Toxin Buildup – Toxins and inflammatory proteins get trapped in tissues, increasing joint pain.
🔴 Weakened Immunity – The immune system may overreact, triggering autoimmune-related arthritis like rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
🔴 Poor Nutrient Circulation – Joints don’t receive enough nutrients needed for healing and lubrication.

💡 Natural Ways to Support the Lymphatic System & Reduce Arthritis Symptoms

1️⃣ Move Your Body 🏃‍♀️

💚 Gentle movement like walking, stretching, yoga, and rebounding (mini-trampoline) stimulates lymph flow and reduces stiffness.

2️⃣ Lymphatic Massage & Dry Brushing 💆‍♂️

💚 A light, rhythmic massage or dry brushing helps push toxins out of tissues and into the lymphatic system for elimination.

3️⃣ Stay Hydrated 🚰

💚 Drink plenty of clean, filtered water to keep lymph fluid flowing and prevent toxin buildup.

4️⃣ Anti-Inflammatory Diet 🥦🍓

💚 Eat foods rich in antioxidants and omega-3s like berries, leafy greens, turmeric, ginger, and fatty fish to fight inflammation.

5️⃣ Castor Oil Therapy 🌿

💚 Applying castor oil to swollen joints and the navel once a week supports detoxification and lymphatic flow.

6️⃣ Deep Breathing & Infrared Sauna 🧘‍♂️

💚 Deep belly breathing and heat therapy improve circulation and encourage toxin elimination through sweat.

7️⃣ Lymphatic Herbs & Supplements 🌱

💚 Consider milk thistle, dandelion root, burdock root, and proteolytic enzymes to assist with detox and inflammation reduction.

🌟 Conclusion: Support Your Lymph & Ease Your Joints

Arthritis isn’t just about joint health—it’s deeply connected to the body’s detoxification and immune processes. By improving lymphatic function, you can reduce inflammation, relieve pain, and support long-term joint health.

🔹 Small daily habits make a big difference! Stay hydrated, move your body, and support your lymphatic system for better mobility, less stiffness, and a healthier you! 🌿💪

⚠️ 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.

03/09/2025

Where Does the Lymph Go After Drainage?

From Puff to Flush—Your Body’s Hidden Detox Highway!

Ever wondered what actually happens to the lymph after your MLD (Manual Lymphatic Drainage) or dry brushing session? Where does all that puffiness and extra fluid go? Let’s take a journey through your body’s magical drainage map—because the flow doesn’t stop at your skin!

First Things First—What IS Lymph?

Lymph is a clear-ish fluid filled with:
• Water
• Proteins
• Cellular waste
• Immune cells
• Bacteria, viruses, and toxins

It’s like your body’s wastewater, and your lymphatic system is the plumbing network designed to collect it from your tissues and send it packing!

The Drainage Route (The Fun Part!)

After you stimulate your lymphatic system (through MLD, exercise, rebounding, or infrared saunas), here’s what happens step-by-step:

1. Tissues → Lymph Capillaries
Lymph fluid is collected from between your cells (where waste builds up). Think of this as your body picking up trash from every neighborhood.

2. Lymph Capillaries → Collecting Vessels
These vessels have valves to push lymph forward (like a one-way street!). They move it toward central lymph nodes.

3. Nodes → Filter Party!
Lymph passes through lymph nodes, where it gets filtered. Immune cells here attack bacteria, viruses, and debris.
It’s like your lymph goes through a security checkpoint!

4. Cleaned Lymph → Ducts
Filtered lymph travels to the thoracic duct (left side of your neck) or right lymphatic duct—the final stop before exiting!

5. Ducts → Subclavian Vein
Here’s the magic moment!
The ducts drain the lymph directly into your bloodstream, at the base of your neck, where the subclavian vein lives.

6. Bloodstream → Kidneys + Liver
Now the filtered lymph becomes part of your circulating blood. From here:
• Kidneys filter out water-soluble waste → p*e it out!
• Liver handles fat-soluble toxins and waste → p**p it out!

And voilà!
Your lymph just became waste… and left your body.
Flush complete!

That’s Why You Might Notice…
• More p*eing after a session
• Increased bowel movements
• Feeling thirsty
• Fatigue (your body is processing the detox!)
• Reduced swelling or puffiness

So YES—you’re not imagining it. The flush is real.

Fun Lymphie Facts:
• You have 500–700 lymph nodes in your body!
• The thoracic duct drains around 75% of your lymph!
• Your lymphatic system can move 1.5–3 liters of lymph per day with the right support!
• No heart? No pump! The lymph system depends on movement, breath, and pressure (that’s why you NEED to move!).

Support the Flush:
• Hydrate (lymph is mostly water!)
• Move daily (walking, rebounding, stretching)
• Breathe deep (diaphragmatic breathing helps move lymph!)
• Massage & MLD
• Eat clean (to reduce toxin load)

So, Where Does It Go?

In simple terms:
Lymph → Blood → Kidneys/Liver → Toilet!
Your body is brilliant. And your lymphatic system? Even more so.

So the next time you finish your session and head to the loo—give a little thanks to the silent flow keeping you well.






References / Research Links:
• Cleveland Clinic – Lymphatic System Overview
• NCBI – Physiology of the Lymphatic System
• Lymphatic Research and Biology Journal

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 health routine.

©️