Massage by Leanne McKinley 0825032730

22/09/2025

Let’s Talk About Armpit Lymph Nodes!
The Mighty Axillary Warriors of Your Immune System 🌿🦠🩷

Your armpits aren’t just for deodorant and razors — they’re home to some of your body’s most powerful immune protectors: the axillary lymph nodes!

What Are Axillary Lymph Nodes?

Axillary lymph nodes are bean-shaped structures located in the armpit (axilla) that form a key part of the lymphatic system — your body’s drainage, detox, and defense network. These nodes filter lymph (a fluid rich in white blood cells) and trap harmful substances like bacteria, viruses, toxins, and even cancer cells.

There are typically 20 to 40 lymph nodes in each armpit. These nodes are grouped into five anatomical levels, each with distinct drainage responsibilities.

The Five Groups of Axillary Lymph Nodes:
1. Pectoral (Anterior) Group
• Location: Along the lower border of the pectoralis major muscle
• Drainage Area: Breast, anterior thoracic wall
• Fun Fact: These nodes are key in breast cancer monitoring!
2. Subscapular (Posterior) Group
• Location: Along the lower margin of the scapula (shoulder blade)
• Drainage Area: Upper back, posterior shoulder, and neck
3. Humeral (Lateral) Group
• Location: Along the humerus (upper arm bone)
• Drainage Area: Upper limb
• Fun Fact: These are the ones that may swell when your arm is injured or infected!
4. Central Group
• Location: Near the base of the axilla (deep in the center)
• Drainage Area: Collects lymph from pectoral, subscapular, and humeral groups
5. Apical Group
• Location: At the top of the axilla near the clavicle (collarbone)
• Drainage Area: Receives lymph from all the other axillary groups and drains into the subclavian lymphatic trunk

Where Does the Lymph Flow?
• After filtration through the axillary groups, lymph travels to the apical nodes, then drains into the subclavian trunk, and finally enters the venous circulation near the heart (via the right lymphatic duct or thoracic duct on the left side).
• This allows your body to return filtered lymph to the bloodstream while neutralizing any harmful intruders.

Why Are Axillary Lymph Nodes Important?
• Immune Defense: Full of lymphocytes (B and T cells), they identify and destroy pathogens.
• Cancer Monitoring: Oncologists often biopsy or remove axillary nodes to check for cancer spread, especially in breast cancer staging.
• Detox Drainage: They assist in the drainage of waste products, inflammatory debris, and excess interstitial fluid.

Signs of Swollen Axillary Nodes:
• Tenderness
• Swelling or a lump in the armpit
• Fever or signs of infection
Swollen nodes often indicate your immune system is actively fighting something!

Fun Lymph Facts:
• Lymph has no pump! It relies on movement (like walking, deep breathing, and rebounding) to flow — which is why dry brushing and lymphatic massage can help!
• You have more lymph than blood! Your lymphatic system contains about 1.5 times more fluid than your circulatory system.
• The word “lymph” comes from the Latin lympha, meaning water — a perfect name for a fluid that brings life-giving immunity!

Takeaway:
Your armpit lymph nodes are immune superheroes — silently working day and night to filter, defend, and drain. Keeping them moving and healthy is a big step in supporting overall wellness. So next time you move your arm, remember the little green defenders in your underarm working hard for 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.

21/09/2025

This is why getting up from your desk regularly is so important

The Forgotten Lymphatics of the Pelvis

How pelvic congestion affects reproductive health, digestion, and lower limb swelling
By Bianca Botha, CLT | RLD | MLDT

💡 Why the Pelvic Lymphatics Are Often Overlooked

When we talk about the lymphatic system, most people picture swelling in the arms, legs, or face — but one of the most complex and vital lymphatic hubs lies deep within the pelvis.
These pelvic lymph nodes and vessels quietly manage fluid balance, immune defense, and waste removal for some of your body’s most important organs — yet they’re rarely discussed outside specialist circles.

📍 Where They Are & What They Do

The pelvis is home to several interconnected lymph node groups:
• Iliac Nodes – drain lymph from the bladder, uterus, prostate, re**um, and pelvic walls.
• Inguinal Nodes – filter lymph from the external genitalia, lower abdominal wall, buttocks, and lower limbs.
• Sacral Nodes – manage drainage from the back of the pelvis and lower digestive tract.

These nodes act like customs checkpoints, inspecting fluid for pathogens, cellular waste, and toxins before sending it upward toward the abdominal and thoracic ducts.

⚠️ How Pelvic Congestion Develops

Pelvic lymphatic congestion happens when the volume of fluid arriving outpaces the drainage capacity — often caused by:
• Sedentary lifestyle – long periods sitting compress lymphatic channels.
• Chronic inflammation – from digestive disorders, endometriosis, or pelvic infections.
• Post-surgical scar tissue – which can disrupt lymph flow pathways.
• Hormonal changes – oestrogen dominance or fluctuations that affect vessel tone.
• Venous congestion – as seen in pelvic congestion syndrome, increasing lymphatic workload.

🔄 The Chain Reaction of Pelvic Lymph Stagnation

When pelvic lymphatics slow down, the effects can ripple through multiple systems:

1. Reproductive Health
• Women: pelvic congestion can aggravate menstrual pain, contribute to endometriosis flare-ups, and impair fertility by disrupting optimal tissue environment.
• Men: lymph stagnation around the prostate can worsen swelling, discomfort, and urinary issues.

2. Digestive Function
• Lymph from the colon and re**um passes through pelvic nodes. Congestion can lead to bloating, constipation, or worsening of inflammatory bowel symptoms.

3. Lower Limb Swelling
• Pelvic nodes are the gateway for lymph leaving the legs. When they’re backed up, fluid pools in the calves, ankles, and feet — especially after long days standing or sitting.

🌿 Supporting Pelvic Lymphatic Flow

1. Targeted Movement
• Gentle hip circles, walking, and yoga poses like bridge or pigeon can mobilise deep pelvic lymph.

2. Manual Techniques
• Professional lymphatic drainage focusing on inguinal and lower abdominal pathways helps “unlock” pelvic nodes.

3. Breathwork
• Deep diaphragmatic breathing creates internal pressure changes that pull lymph upward from the pelvis.

4. Reduce Inflammatory Load
• Anti-inflammatory diet, addressing gut health, and treating pelvic infections promptly.

💬 Key Takeaway

Your pelvic lymphatics are not just plumbing for the lower body — they are critical for reproductive wellness, digestive balance, and keeping your legs light and fluid-free.
By understanding and supporting this hidden network, you improve circulation from your core to your toes.

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.

18/09/2025

17/09/2025

13/09/2025

The Healing Power of Water: What Swimming Does for Your Lymphatic System



Have you ever wondered why you feel so refreshed and light after a swim?
It’s not just the cool splash or the quiet rhythm of gliding through water—it’s also because your lymphatic system is rejoicing beneath the surface!

Let’s dive into the fascinating relationship between swimming and lymphatic drainage
Spoiler alert: your lymph LOVES water!

Why Swimming Supports Your Lymphatic System

The lymphatic system is your body’s internal “cleaning crew”—a vast network of vessels, nodes, and organs that carry away toxins, cellular waste, and excess fluid. But here’s the catch: unlike your heart, the lymphatic system doesn’t have a pump.

It relies on movement, breath, gravity, and muscle contractions to keep the flow going—and swimming does all of that and more:

1. Hydrostatic Pressure = Gentle Compression Therapy

When you’re submerged in water, the hydrostatic pressure naturally compresses your body, acting like a full-body lymphatic massage.
• This pressure supports fluid movement from the extremities back toward the heart, much like wearing compression garments.
• The deeper you go, the greater the pressure, making it ideal for chronic swelling or lymphoedema.

Water = Nature’s Compression Suit
💦⛑️

2. Buoyancy = Reduced Weight, Increased Movement

Water reduces the effect of gravity on your body, which:
• Decreases pressure on joints
• Allows for greater mobility and pain-free movement
• Encourages muscle engagement and deeper lymphatic activation

Even those who struggle with land-based exercises can move more freely in water—making it ideal for post-surgery rehab, lymphatic congestion, or chronic fatigue.

Float to Flow
🧘‍♀️💧

3. Rhythmic Breathing = Diaphragmatic Stimulation

Swimming encourages deep, controlled breathing—which naturally activates the thoracic duct, the largest lymph vessel in the body.

When you breathe deeply into the diaphragm:
• You pump the cisterna chyli, helping to drain lymph from the gut and lower limbs.
• You support the flow of lymph into the bloodstream, where it’s filtered and released.

Every stroke is a breath of detox.
🌬️🫁

4. Muscle Contractions = Pumping the Lymph

Swimming works the entire body—arms, legs, core—creating repeated, rhythmic muscle contractions that:
• Propel lymph fluid through the vessels
• Prevent stagnation
• Reduce swelling and heaviness in the limbs

The lymphatic system loves movement—and swimming delivers it with flow and finesse.

Move those muscles, move that lymph!
🏊‍♂️⚙️

5. Mental & Emotional Release = Less Cortisol, Better Flow

Let’s not forget: emotional stress and trauma constrict the fascia and can slow down lymphatic drainage.
Swimming offers a meditative, soothing environment that lowers cortisol, relaxes the nervous system, and releases stored tension in tissues.

A calm body = a flowing body
🌊🕊️

Who Can Benefit from Swimming for Lymph Drainage?
• Those with lymphoedema or lipedema
• People recovering from surgery or trauma
• Clients with inflammatory disorders
• Anyone experiencing fluid retention, fatigue, or immune dysfunction

And yes, even gentle water walking or aqua aerobics counts!

Helpful Tips for Lymphatic Swimming
• Warm up gently in shallow water
• Swim in strokes that involve deep breathing (breaststroke is great)
• Avoid overexertion; focus on flow and breath
• After your swim, take time to rest or do a cool-down lymphatic stretch

In Closing: Flow Where the Water Goes

The lymphatic system mirrors the flow of water—always moving, cleansing, and renewing.
So the next time you step into the pool, remember:
you’re not just swimming… you’re healing.

Dive into the rhythm of wellness. Let the water move what you cannot.
Your lymph will thank you.

💧✨

©️

11/09/2025

01/09/2025

29/05/2025

PSOAS the band of muscle/fascia that connects your entire body and how it affects hip mobility and causes back pain.

https://goto.healingthroughmovement.com/uyhfpsoas_05_28_25c

24/05/2025

🦶🌿 Did you know what happens when you soak your feet in rosemary water? You'll be surprised! 🌿🦶

Rosemary is not only an aromatic kitchen herb, but also a powerful natural remedy with surprising benefits for your feet and your overall health. 👇

🔬 Proven benefits of soaking your feet in rosemary water:

✅ 1. Natural antifungal and antibacterial
Thanks to compounds such as carnosic acid and rosmarinic acid, rosemary effectively fights fungi such as athlete's foot and onychomycosis (nail fungus), as well as bacterial skin infections.
📚 Studies in scientific journals such as "Phytotherapy Research" support its antimicrobial action.

✅ 2. Stimulates blood circulation
A warm bath with rosemary promotes blood flow in the extremities, relieving cold feet, swelling, and fatigue.
💡 Tip: Add sea salt or Epsom salt to enhance its effects.

✅ 3. Relieves muscle and joint pain
Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, rosemary is ideal for soothing foot pain, cramps, and joint stiffness. Ideal after a long day.

✅ 4. Relaxes the nervous system
The aroma of rosemary reduces cortisol (the stress hormone) and promotes a feeling of calm. Perfect for use as a nighttime relaxation ritual.

✅ 5. Naturally deodorizes
Its antimicrobial compounds and refreshing aroma eliminate odor-causing bacteria on your feet, leaving them clean and revitalized.

How to prepare a rosemary foot soak:
• 2 tablespoons of dried rosemary (or a few fresh branches)
• 1 liter of warm water
• Let it sit for 10–15 minutes, then soak your feet for 20 minutes
• Optional: add sea salt or a few drops of tea tree essential oil

21/05/2025