We are given lots of advice on how important it is to look after our health, for example we know its important to look after our gut health, our heart and cardiovascular system, our teeth and if your getting adjusted at Spirohealth you will know how important it is to look after your spine an nervous system.

So what about your lymphatic system, has any one ever mentioned how important it is to look after that as well?

Your lymphatic system provides a variety of immune functions that ward off infections, viruses, injury and even cancer. The lymphatic system is made up of your bone marrow, tonsils, adenoids and lymphatic vessels. It is an independent circulatory system working alongside your blood circulatory system as well as your immune system. Unlike your blood circulation, which is pumped around by your heart the lymphatic system has no pump of its own, it relies on the movement of your bodies circulatory system to circulate.

With people getting more sedentary with sitting so much how can we help our lymphatic system? Here are my top tips.

1. Movement is key – any physical activity, exercise or sport that gets your arms, legs and torso moving as this will move the lymph the most. Rebounding is a great exercise for your lymphatic system. It is important to make movement part of your daily routine as you would eating and sleeping well.
2. Deep diagrammatic breathing – this facilitates movement of lymph through the blood stream and dramatically increases the elimination of toxins. It’s simple and easy to do. Breathe deeply through your nose and hold for 4 counts. Exhale through your mouth for 2 counts. As you get better at this you can increase the counts. Exhaling twice as long as inhaling brings oxygen to the blood and activates the lymphatic system. You can do this 2-3 times, 3 times a day.
3. Dry skin brushing – this helps to release toxins and stimulate the lymphatic system. Best done first thing in the morning before your shower and can be done daily but at least 3-5 times a week. Using a natural fibered body brush start at your feet and use upward brush strokes as you move up your legs towards your heart then from your hands up your arms. You can brush up your back and brush lighter on your abdomen and chest.

Along with getting adjusted, eating healthy and drinking plenty of water this will greatly affect the efficiency of your lymphatic system and in turn it will protect and defend your entire body.