Megan Robertson MTI LMT MMP

10/25/2025

🌿 Your Armpit Lymph Nodes: The Unsung Heroes of Upper Body Detox 🌿
💚 A Medical & Lymphatic Breakdown of the Axillary Region

Tucked quietly in your underarms are 20–40 powerful lymph nodes — clinically referred to as the axillary lymph nodes — forming one of the body’s most critical immune surveillance and drainage hubs.

They filter up to 75% of lymphatic fluid from the breast, the entire arm, and portions of the thoracic wall, shoulder, neck, and upper back — making them central to immune function, hormonal regulation, and detoxification.

🔬 Anatomy & Classification: The 5 Axillary Lymph Node Groups
1. Pectoral (Anterior) Nodes
• Location: Along the lateral edge of the pectoralis minor muscle
• Drains: The anterior thoracic wall, upper abdomen, and a significant portion of the breast
• Clinical Relevance: Often the first site of spread in breast cancer metastasis
2. Subscapular (Posterior) Nodes
• Location: Posterior axillary fold near the subscapular vessels
• Drains: Posterior thoracic wall, scapular region
• Key Role: Supports drainage from the back and shoulder girdle
3. Humeral (Lateral) Nodes
• Location: Medial aspect of the humerus (near the axillary vein)
• Drains: Most of the upper limb (excluding lymph from hand and fingers, which may also partially drain into supratrochlear nodes)
• Commonly affected in: Infections of the hand or cellulitis
4. Central Nodes
• Location: Embedded in axillary fat, centrally located
• Receive input from: Pectoral, subscapular, and humeral groups
• Important in: Detecting generalized upper body inflammation or fluid backup
5. Apical Nodes
• Location: Apex of the axilla near the first rib and clavicle
• Drain into: The subclavian lymphatic trunk, then the right lymphatic duct (right side) or thoracic duct (left side), before lymph enters systemic circulation via the venous angle (junction of subclavian and internal jugular veins)

🩺 What Happens When These Nodes Are Overwhelmed?
When axillary lymph nodes become congested or inflamed, they may swell (lymphadenopathy) or fail to efficiently clear lymph. This can result in:

• Regional Lymphatic Edema – Puffiness of the breast, chest wall, or arms
• Axillary Nerve Compression – Causing tingling, weakness, or discomfort in the arm
• Toxin Accumulation – Due to impaired filtering of bacteria, viruses, metabolic waste, and xenobiotics
• Increased Risk for Infection – Lymph stagnation = immune dysfunction
• Poor Wound Healing – Especially in post-surgical recovery or trauma

📍 Where the Lymph Flows: Axillary Drainage Pathways
• From Upper Limb → Humeral Nodes → Central → Apical
• From Breast & Chest → Pectoral Nodes → Central → Apical
• From Back & Shoulder → Subscapular Nodes → Central → Apical
• From All Axillary Groups → Apical Nodes → Subclavian Trunk → Venous Circulation

Remember: 90% of lymphatic fluid from the left upper body drains via the thoracic duct, while the right side drains via the right lymphatic duct. These ducts empty into your bloodstream at the venous angles of the neck.

⚠️ Clinical Signs of Axillary Node Dysfunction or Swelling:
• Palpable, tender lump in the armpit (may feel rubbery or firm)
• Aching or dragging sensation down the arm or breast
• Heaviness, burning, or altered sensation in the upper limb
• Limited range of motion in the shoulder joint
• Skin dimpling or tightness over the breast or chest wall
• Unilateral swelling or puffiness of the hands or arms
• Increased sweat gland activity due to detox congestion

🌸 Therapist’s Tip: How to Support Your Axillary Nodes Gently
✔️ Manual Lymphatic Drainage — focus on proximal to distal drainage
✔️ Axillary pumping (arm above head + deep breathing)
✔️ Castor oil wraps over pectoral region (never during active infection)
✔️ FIR sauna to stimulate lymphatic soft tissue detox
✔️ Movement! Walking, shoulder rolls, and wall angels activate natural drainage
✔️ Hydration + electrolytes = optimal lymph viscosity

💚 Your axilla is not just a fold — it’s a filter, a gatekeeper, and a lifeline for your upper body’s healing potential.
If you’ve ever experienced swelling, sensitivity, or soreness in this area… your lymph is asking for support.

10/03/2025

Why post op lymphatic massages are important?

Post-operative (post-op) lymphatic massages are important especially after cosmetic or plastic surgery procedures like liposuction, tummy tucks, or BBLs because they help support healing and reduce complications. Here’s a breakdown of why they matter:

✅ 1. Reduces Swelling (Edema)
Surgery disrupts the lymphatic system, which helps drain fluid and waste. After surgery, fluid can accumulate, leading to swelling. Lymphatic massage stimulates the lymph flow, helping your body move that excess fluid more efficiently.

✅ 2. Prevents Fibrosis (Hard Lumps)
If fluid isn't properly drained, it can harden into fibrotic tissue—those hard lumps or areas of firmness under the skin. Lymphatic massage can help break down early fibrosis and prevent it from forming in the first place.

✅ 3. Sp*eds Up Recovery
By reducing swelling and promoting circulation, lymphatic massages can sp*ed up healing, reduce discomfort, and help you feel better sooner.

✅ 4. Improves Surgical Results
Swelling can distort your results early on. Reducing that swelling helps you see your real post-surgery shape faster. Massages also help your skin reattach more smoothly to the tissue underneath, which is crucial after liposuction.

✅ 5. Reduces Pain and Discomfort
Less swelling and pressure = less pain. Gentle massage helps relieve that tight, sore feeling many people have after surgery.

✅ 6. Boosts Immune Function
The lymphatic system plays a big role in immunity. Stimulating it helps remove cellular waste and toxins, reducing the risk of infection and helping your body recover better.

When Are They Usually Started?
Typically, surgeons recommend starting lymphatic massages a few days to a week after surgery, depending on the procedure and your healing. Always follow your surgeon's specific advice.

-Deja Hodges

08/09/2025

Benefits of Post-Op Massage Therapy

1. Reduces Swelling
Helps drain excess fluid and reduces inflammation for a smoother, more comfortable recovery.

2. Minimizes Scar Tissue
Gentle techniques can prevent adhesions and help scars heal softer and flatter.

3. Improves Circulation
Boosts oxygen and nutrient delivery to healing tissues.

4. Supports Lymphatic System
Encourages lymph flow to flush out toxins and sp*ed recovery.

5. Decreases Pain & Discomfort
Relieves pressure, tension, and sensitivity in the surgical area.

6. Enhances Mobility
Helps restore flexibility and range of motion post-surgery.

7. Promotes Relaxation & Wellbeing
Calms the nervous system, reducing stress during recovery.

If you have any further questions please feel free to reach out.

08/03/2025

🏋️‍♂️ The Power of Sports Massage: Why Every Athlete Needs It 👐

Whether you’re a professional athlete or a weekend warrior, sports massage offers more than just relaxation — it’s a performance booster.

✨ Top Benefits of Sports Massage:

✅ Improves Flexibility & Range of Motion
Reduces muscle stiffness and enhances your mobility, helping you move better and train harder.

✅ Sp*eds Up Recovery
Flushes out lactic acid and boosts circulation, reducing soreness and shortening downtime after intense workouts.

✅ Prevents Injuries
Regular sessions help identify and release tight spots before they turn into major issues.

✅ Enhances Performance
By keeping muscles loose and oxygenated, massage helps you perform at your best—every time.

✅ Supports Mental Focus
A calmer body leads to a calmer mind. Massage helps reduce stress and improves your focus pre- or post-competition.

💡 Pro tip: Schedule regular massages, not just when you’re injured. Prevention is always better than cure.

07/26/2025

🙌🏻

06/30/2025

“I just want you to know you’ve changed my life, I haven’t been this pain free in almost 2 years. Thank you so much and I can’t wait to see how I feel after our next appointment 😍”

06/29/2025

If interested send me a message!

We are hiring for a licensed massage therapist! Both in home and in office postions available.

Please email resume to sacredleaf.conroe@gmail.com

Open to stretch therapist, energy healing work as well. Bonus if lymphatic drainage certified, post op as well!

05/28/2025

Where Does the Lymph Go After Drainage?

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

Hey Lymphies!
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.

©️

05/20/2025

Shake It to Make It: The Surprising Power of Vibration Plates

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 starting new wellness routines.

What’s a Vibration Plate Anyway? ⚡🦶
Imagine standing on a platform that vibrates so fast your muscles contract up to 30 times per second—and you’re not even moving. That’s a vibration plate, also known as a whole-body vibration (WBV) platform. Originally developed for astronauts to combat bone density loss in space (yes—outer space! 🚀), these machines are now buzzing into homes, gyms, and therapy clinics worldwide.

The Science Behind the Shake 🔬🌪️
Vibration plates send mechanical vibrations through your body, causing rapid muscle contractions. These contractions activate deep stabilizing muscles and boost circulation, lymphatic drainage, and even bone strength. It’s like giving your body a full-body workout… while standing still! 🧘‍♀️

Let’s Talk Research 📚🧠
A few powerful facts that make vibration plates more than just a fitness trend:

1. Lymphatic Activation 🌀💧
Studies have shown that WBV stimulates lymphatic flow, helping to reduce swelling, improve drainage, and support detoxification. According to a 2010 study in the Journal of Rehabilitation Research & Development, WBV improved circulation and lymph movement in patients with limited mobility ♿.

2. Muscle Strength & Tone 💪🔥
A review in the International Journal of Sports Medicine (2005) found that WBV increased muscle strength, particularly in the legs and core, in both athletes and sedentary individuals. Great news for those wanting to tone up without high-impact workouts!

3. Bone Density Boost 🦴✨
Vibration therapy may help preserve bone mineral density, especially in postmenopausal women. A study in the journal Osteoporosis International showed that 6 months of regular WBV training significantly increased hip bone density.

4. Improved Balance & Mobility 🚶‍♀️🧍‍♂️
Elderly individuals and people recovering from injuries often use WBV to improve stability and gait. It’s gentle on the joints but powerful in results!

The Lymphatic System Loves to Shake 💓🌊
Our lymphatic system has no pump like the heart—it relies on movement to flow. That’s why vibration plates are so beneficial: they provide passive motion, which mimics walking, bouncing, and muscle contractions that help move lymph fluid through the body.

Vibration sessions can:
• Reduce fluid retention 🫗
• Ease inflammation 🔥
• Support immune function 🛡️
• Accelerate healing after surgery or injury 🩹

It’s like a jumpstart for your drainage system—without the jumping! 🎉

How to Use a Vibration Plate Safely ✔️🧘
• Start slow: 1–2 minutes at a low frequency ⏱️
• Build up to 10–15 minutes per session
• Stand, squat, stretch, or even sit with your feet on the plate 🦵
• Drink water afterward to flush out released toxins 💧
• Use 3–5x a week for lymphatic and muscle benefits 📆

Caution: ⚠️ Avoid if you’re pregnant 🤰, have deep vein thrombosis 🩸, or a pacemaker—always check with your practitioner first!

Fun Fact: 🤩
Olympic athletes 🏅 use vibration therapy in their warm-ups and recovery routines to improve circulation and reduce soreness faster!

In Conclusion: Vibrate to Elevate 🌟📈
Vibration plates are more than just a wellness gadget—they’re a powerful tool backed by science and packed with benefits. Whether you’re looking to boost lymph flow, tone your body, improve your balance, or just sneak in some self-care, this little machine could be your secret weapon.

So go ahead—step on, shake it out, and let your lymph flow like never before. 💃💧

©️

05/08/2025

Life After Gallbladder Removal: What Happens to Your Liver & Lymphatic System?
By Bianca Botha, CLT, RLD & MLDT| Lymphatica

The gallbladder might be small, but its role in digestion and detox is mighty. So when it’s removed — whether due to stones, inflammation, or dysfunction — the rest of the body, especially the liver and lymphatic system, must adjust in big ways.

Let’s explore what really happens behind the scenes once the gallbladder is gone, and how you can best support your system.

First, What Did the Gallbladder Actually Do?

The gallbladder stores and concentrates bile, a yellow-green fluid made by the liver that helps break down fats in your digestive system. When you eat, the gallbladder releases just the right amount of bile into the small intestine.

Without it? Your liver still makes bile — but there’s no storage tank. Bile drips continuously into your gut, whether you’re eating or not. This has several consequences…

What Happens to Your Liver After Gallbladder Removal?

🧠 1. Constant Bile Production = Liver on High Alert
Without regulation, your liver must work around the clock to manage bile flow. This increases the demand on the liver’s bile production and can lead to bile thinning or pooling in the liver ducts.

💧 2. Poor Fat Digestion
Fats (especially animal fats and oils) become harder to digest. Undigested fat can irritate the gut lining, trigger inflammation, and contribute to symptoms like bloating, loose stools, or nausea.

♻️ 3. Sluggish Bile = Sluggish Detox
Bile isn’t just for digestion — it’s also a primary detox pathway. It helps the liver excrete waste, hormones, and toxins. Without the gallbladder’s rhythmic contractions, bile can become stagnant — thick and sticky — reducing the liver’s ability to clear waste efficiently.

And the Lymphatic System? Yes, It’s Deeply Involved

Your lymphatic system and liver are close allies. The lymph relies heavily on proper bile flow and liver function for:

🌿 Fat absorption – The lymph absorbs digested fats from the intestines (through lacteals), so if fats are poorly broken down, the lymph becomes burdened.

🌀 Immune waste processing – The liver filters immune waste from the lymph. A sluggish liver = more lymphatic congestion.

🫀 Liver lymph drainage – Nearly one-third of your lymph drains from the liver! If liver pressure rises (from thick bile or inflammation), lymph flow slows down, resulting in systemic puffiness, fatigue, or toxin build-up.

Common Symptoms After Gallbladder Removal That Involve Lymph or Liver:
• Bloating after fatty meals
• Fluid retention or puffiness
• Sluggish digestion or “heavy” feeling after eating
• Brain fog or fatigue
• Hormonal imbalances (as bile clears excess hormones)
• Skin issues or dull complexion
• Right shoulder or rib discomfort (liver referral pattern)

How to Support Your Liver & Lymphatic System Post-Cholecystectomy

💧 Support bile thinning with bitters (dandelion, artichoke), taurine, or bile salts (under guidance).
🥦 Eat small amounts of healthy fat often — think avocado, olive oil, fish.
🚶‍♀️ Move your body daily to keep lymph flowing.
💆‍♀️ Lymphatic Drainage Therapy can help stimulate liver lymph drainage and reduce congestion.
🌿 Castor oil packs, infrared therapy, and abdominal massage all support liver detox and flow.

The Takeaway

When your gallbladder is removed, your liver and lymphatic system step up — but they need support. By being mindful of fat digestion, detoxification, and lymph flow, you can help your body adjust and thrive.

You didn’t lose your ability to detox or digest — you just need to give your body a little more help along the way.
🌿💛🌀

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.