What is Assisted Lymphatic Therapy
Assisted Lymphatic Therapy is a gentle, light touch non-invasive technique to stimulate the proper flow and drainage of the lymphatic system. A combination of vibrational, light, and electrical waves help to stimulate the flow by causing the dissociation of proteins that have become trapped in the interstitium. When trapped proteins (not to be confused with nutrient proteins) release their bond, the stagnant lymph is liberated and will flow out into its normal filtration and reabsorption channels. This technique offers qualified therapists a natural complement to their existing healthcare protocols.
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Manual Lymph Drainage (MLD) is a technique which uses pressure and motion applied with the hands to help stimulate proper lymphatic fluid flow and drainage. The primary purpose for MLD therapy is to treat lymphedema patients. The therapy is practiced in clinics and hospitals all over the world by certified therapists.
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Although MLD has its place, ALT can stimulate the lymph at a greater depth and will enhance lymph flow with far less therapy time. The enhanced stimulation of ALT has provided benefits to many of our clients who experienced limited response from MLD.
ANATOMY OF THE LYMPH VESSEL SYSTEM
The lymph vessel system is a component of the lymphatic system, which also includes the lymphatic organs (thymus, spleen, tonsils, etc.). One of the most important tasks of the lymph vessels is the drainage and transport of interstitial fluid, along with the various substances contained in it, into the venous circulation.
The lymph vessels of the small intestine are capable of absorbing and transporting food fats away from the intestines through the area of the cisterna chyli. The lymphatic system is the structure that encompasses the immune defense system.
The goal of assisted lymph drainage is to improve, or restore, lymph drainage that has become impaired.
The lymph vessel system is the drainage system. It transports lymph into the venous blood circulation. As in the veins, flap valves in the large lymph vessels ensure directionality of flow.
The deep lymph vessels run parallel to blood vessels and have a similar wall structure, however, the blood and lymph vessels are different in some aspects.
No closed circuits: contrary to the blood circulation, the lymph vessels form only half a circuit. The lymphatic system piggybacks the circulatory system. It begins in the periphery, with the so-called initial lymph vessels (lymph capillaries) and ends by exiting into the large blood vessels of the venous circulation (subclavian vein) near the heart.
No central pump: In the blood vessel system, the heart functions as a driver for the circulation of blood through large and small blood vessels. The heart carries blood through the arteries to the capillary bed and throughout the venous system back into the right side of the heart. In the capillary bed an exchange of substances and movement of fluids between blood and tissue takes place. Unlike blood vessels, lymph vessels transport the lymph primarily through a self activated pumping motion referred to as lymphangiomotoricity. The lymphatic system has no central pump.