What Blocks Your Lymphatic Circulation?

The lymphatic system is a network of tissues and organs that help rid the body of toxins, waste and other unwanted materials. The primary function of the lymphatic system is to transport lymph, a fluid containing infection-fighting white blood cells, throughout the body. 

The lymphatic system primarily consists of lymphatic vessels, which are similar to the circulatory system's veins and capillaries. The vessels are connected to lymph nodes, where the lymph is filtered. The tonsils, adenoids, spleen and thymus are all part of the lymphatic system. 

You should know that the natural bounce of your breast is the main method of drainage for your breast?

We are trained to wear a bra since a young age to restrict the movement of our breast. 80% of US women wear wrong fitted bras, which leave read marks on our skin and restrict our breathing and lymphatic circulation, and contributes to cyclical breast tenderness and eventual breast disease.

The breast is designed for movement with a rich network of vessels comprising our lymphatic system running through our breast and facilitates the transport of 75% of the lymph in our whole body.

The lymphatic vessels in our breast don’t have muscles to to assist the movement of fluid through them. This is why, a tight, improperly fitting bra is like a dam impeding the flow of lymphatic fluid, which works with our immune system to help eliminate the toxins in our body.

If our breast feels congested or painful, this means your lymphatic circulations is restricted. This means you can accumulate more toxins, such as pesticides, heavy metals and plastic residue in our breast tissue and lead to health issues.

Here are ways your lymphatic system can be blocked:

1) Musculoskeletal imbalances

Tight pectoral muscles and fascia in the chest can act as an obstacle to the drainage of your breast. It can affect posture, causing the shoulders to round inwards.

2) Poor posture

Sitting for too long has a lot of negative impact on our health, slouching for countless hours can decrease lymphatic circulation.

3) Tight clothing 

 This includes tight socks, pants and yes your bra. When a bra leaves red marks that would last more than 20 minutes after removing your bra, this is a sign that your bra is too tight. Digging straps or under wires is a sign that your bra is not doing its job so well, and you are doing this on a daily basis. If possible, minimize the times you are wearing a bra, if you can’t let go of it all the way.

4) Radiation, chemotherapy, removal of lymph nodes

Radiation scars and chemotherapy can damage lymphatic vessels and lymph nodes, cause loss of muscle strength, and pain on movement. Gentle stretching, yoga nd lymphatic massage can help drain your tissues.

5) Scar tissue

Scars in breast tissue from plastic surgery, breast reductions and mastectomies, either full or partial, can impede drainage of fluid in the breasts. To Decrease scar tissues, you can do self-massage with castor oil, stretching of the shoulders, neck and chest.

6) Edema, lymph-edema, congestion in the tissue

Localized swelling can block overall lymphatic circulation too. But with the help of trained therapist treating lymphedema my help, together with compression garments, stretching, exercise, deep breathing, swimming and rebounding.

7) Stress and shallow breathing

Take regular breaks while working at home or at the office, getting up to move, stretch and breathe deeply for 11 minutes every 2 or 3 hours. Walk daily for 40 minutes, and practice deep breathing for 5-15 minutes a day until it becomes a habit. Deep breathing improves the circulation of lymphatic fluid.