The Lymphatic System, what it means for you

By Jet Rupar, LMT EP-C

What I want to do today is talk about the lymphatic system specifically today.

Why?

Because there are many people who have no idea that the lymphatic system even exists in its entirety. (NOTE: I am going to try to keep this short and fairly user friendly. Because the body shouldn’t be difficult to understand. I mean, anatomy and physiology is essentially the study of what is going on inside of you!!!! And the more you know, the better.) (ALSO NOTE: I am a massage therapist, and as such, this should not be taken to diagnose anything, all I am doing here is explaining how your body works. If you feel like you are having issues, please see your physician or goto the ER!!)

So the lymphatic system is comprised of very small vessels that run parallel to our arteries and veins, lymph fluid, and lymph nodes. Below is a visual of what the lymphatic system looks like, including the nodes! (Photo Credit: endocrinesurgery.ucsf.edu.)

Now that we have a picture of what this looks like, let’s get to how it works. The lymph works along side your blood vessels, and carries the waste that doesn’t leave your cells via the bloodstream. (Wait, what?!) Your bloodstream carries oxygen to and CO2 from your cells. Any cellular waste that can’t get through to your bloodstream finds it’s way into a lymph vessel, and get’s carried to it’s local lymph node area. (See above).

Your lymph nodes do several things. They help to clean up and break down those larger particles so that they can be passed out of your body. They also store some of your white blood cells so that they can kill any bacteria or virus that may have found it’s way into your lymph system.

So your lymph system does some pretty nifty things.

However, things can go wrong, and sometimes does. (Which is quite a bummer, right?)

The lymph system (especially the nodes) can be damaged by illness or radiation (especially through things like cancer treatments). Lymph node removal can also cause some pretty serious problems. Damage to the lymph system could mean complications… i.e., lymphedema. Lymphedema is a backup of lymph fluids (within an area of the body, typically found in arms and legs). Lymphedema does not necessarily happen right away. It could show up years after the initial lymph damage, or may not happen at all. Symptoms of Lymphedema are puffiness of the affected area as well as a feeling of heaviness. If this is something that you are feeling, go see your physician, who can refer you to a specialist to help with the lymphedema.