Several news magazines such as Time and the Week and some newspapers have recently reported on what is considered a “new organ” in the body. That is an appropriate description for the interstitial fluid which bathes all the cells, tissues and organs of the body and through which our immune systems function, allowing disease fighting cells to easily circulate throughout the body.

The fluid is a clear or milky fluid depending on its location and comprises all of the fluid in the body that is not blood, well over 70%. Maintaining optimal health through diet, exercise and other means should also include the health of our interstitium or interstitial fluid. The ways in which the fluid circulates through the body, through the lymph nodes where cleansing of toxins takes place, then finally through lymphatic ducts back to the heart, is achieved by simple means such as muscle activitiy, peristalsis, deep breathing, inherent pumping system and lymphatic massage (manually moving lymph to clear congestion and assist its circulation).

This last feature is important for those with Lymphedema, a chronic condition of trapped or sluggish fluid in the tissues from the consequences of different kinds of cancer treatments such as surgery and radiation which damages the delicate vessels and nodes. Some are born with a Primary edema in which the vessels never fully developed.

A regular lymphatic massage is an excellent way to maintain a healthy immune system, treat colds, flu and allergy symptoms, treat constipation, relax the nervous system and promote general well being. The massage uses very specific strokes and has extremely light pressure as it is working with fluid just under the skin in the dermal layer of tissue. All strokes are of an upward direction toward the heart.

Perhaps you have become interested in this “new” but not new topic and would like more information. I have practiced lymphatic massage for over 25 years and treat many people with lymphedema so if you have any questions, please  feel free to get in touch with me via  comments on this article, or, by sending me a private message as a registered users.  I teach self-massage of the lymphatic system as well as classes and have created a Yoga for the Lymphatics class as well that is specific to the system.

Please get in touch soon. The more knowledge you have about your body, the better you can heal yourself and become more sensitive to the messages you receive about the direction of care.