Lymph Drainage Therapy
Relief from swelling, toxins, and cellulite
The lymphatic system is crucial to our body's ability to protect us from disease. Through a series of vessels, nodes and complementary organs, it removes stagnant fluids, filters toxins and cellular wastes, removes foreign substances and fights invaders.
Indeed, toxins trapped in our adipose (fat) tissues may be one reason it is hard for us to lose weight. If the adipose were to release the toxins through weight loss, we might become sick. However, if the lymphatics are functioning properly, the toxins are naturally removed and so is the body's reason to hold onto the fat. Likewise, removing toxins from any of our cells slows the aging process and promotes healing and healthy immune response.
The lymph itself is a clear or sometimes milky-colored fluid that flows inside vessels roughly adjacent to the circulatory vessels. Many of the lymphatic vessels are superficial and just under the skin. The lymphatic capillaries are very permeable, allowing easier absorption of cellular debris and fluids.
While the heart pumps the blood through our bodies, the lymphatic system relies on tiny muscular units called lymphangions to contract and move the fluid in a one-way direction, always toward the heart. In other words, the lymph system has no pump of its own. Rather, our own physical movement gives it impetus. When it gets stuck, the result is often edema (swelling).
Lymph Drainage Therapy is a technique that helps the body sustain proper functioning of the lymphatic system. A therapist trained in the technique actually feels the movement of the lymph and is able to assess the rhythm, direction, depth and quality of the flow. Then through very gentle, slow pressure, the therapist assists the client's body in removing blocks to the flow, urging it to the nodes and the deeper emptying ducts. As a result, the nodes are better able to remove the toxins and wastes, and edema and other lymphatic dysfunction complaints are reduced.
- Reduce edema (swelling).
- Relieve chronic (not acute) inflammation in conditions such as eczema and allergies.
- Stimulate immune response.
- Help in tissue regeneration (after surgery, from burns, etc. Detoxify the body.
- Relieve chronic pain.
- Provide deep relaxation, which is beneficial for conditions such as insomnia, depression, excessive stress, loss of vitality and hypertonic muscles.
- Reduce the symptoms of fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome.
- Reduce cellulite and adipose tissues.
There are some contraindications for Lymph Drainage Therapy. A thorough health history will be taken by your therapist before a treatment, and you will be advised if any of those contraindications exist. It is important to remember that your health history is protected by HIPAA. You should be honest with your therapist for proper assessment.
A full LDT session usually lasts between 60 and 90 minutes (Cost is $60-90). However, it is sometimes beneficial to have parts of the work done during your regular massage. If you are interested, please tell your therapist.
Suzanne has studied Lymph Drainage Therapy with the Chikly Health Institute. Please visit the link for more information. You can also go to the International Association of Healthcare Practitioners to view Suzanne's profile.
Essential Oil of the Month: Sweet Marjoram
Sweet Marjoram
I recently learned about marjoram essential oil while reading a book about the chakras. The benefits of this marvelous oil have made it a new addition to my aromatherapy shelf. I am amazed that I didn't know of it before.
The aroma of sweet marjoram is warm and spicy. It is a little like nutmeg. Sweet marjoram was used in ancient times for cosmetics and perfumes and was an antidote to poison. Today we find in in Oriental and herbal or spicy perfumes and fragrances. It is often found in masculine colognes.
Marjoram is good for the first, or root, chakra, which is the chakra we use to connect to the physical world. It is a great oil to use when you are feeling spacey and ungrounded. First chakra emotional issues include anger, jealousy, greed, grief, depression and insecurity. Using marjoram when we are feeling these emotions can help us raise the body's frequency to more closely align with the earth and all that sustains us in our physical bodies.
Today, we find marjoram being used for some of the same things. Specifically, it is a pain reliever with calming effects on the nervous system and a warning effect on the muscles. This makes it especially effective for muscle aches, arthritis, headaches, and PMS.
When blended with lavender, sweet marjoram fights insomnia effectively because of its sedative properties. Its antibacterial, antiviral, and antiseptic properties make it a good choice for infections of all kinds, and steam inhalation of sweet marjoram is very good for colds, sinusitis and the flu. It can be used on burns, bruises, and inflammations.
Marjoram dilates the blood vessels, which makes it good for high blood pressure, heart disease, migraines, and cold hands and feet. I calms the sex drive and is considered an anti-aphrodisiac.
As always, avoid using sweet marjoram is you are pregnant or nursing.
Avoiding Identity Theft
Tips for keeping your finances safe
Original art by Suzanne Eller
Recently, our local North Carolina Retired School Personnel chapter welcomed attorney Caroline Farmer from the NC Department of Justice to speak on protecting ourselves from identity theft. The information is worth sharing.
You can find more tips and a host of other consumer-related and personal safety protection information on the North Carolina Departmant of Justice website.
Identity theft occurs when someone uses your Social Security number and other information like your bank account or your mother's maiden name to open new accounts in your name. They can then run up accounts and do damage to your credit and to your reputation. Here are some suggestions for safeguarding your personal information and your credit:
- Put a "security freeze" on your credit reports. This freeze prevents criminals from opening new accounts in your name. It doesn't affect your own credit, and if you have to change account numbers for any reason, you are able to do so without unfreezing the account since the new number is linked to your old legitimate number and personal information. However, you won't be able to open a new credit card or line of credit without "thawing" the account, which must be done with all three credit bureaus individually and takes at least 15 minutes each to go into effect, but you can get a code that allows a specific lender to run the check without lifting the freeze. The DOJ website has online forms that take only a few minutes to complete. You must have the pin number that they give to to thaw the freeze, so don't lose it. I just did it, and it was easy. Make sure you freeze your minor child's report as well if there is one in his/her name.
- Never carry your SS number in your wallet. Likewise, don't carry your PIN numbers or passwords in your wallet, smart phone or appointment book.
- Shred your old documents, receipts and mail such as credit offers. You can sign up on the DOJ website for alerts about shred-a-thons in the area. (By the way, hosting a shred-a-thon is a great community project for your club or group. Be sure to let the DOJ know about it.) You can also opt-out of preapproved credit offers on the DOJ site. It is also worth it to invest in a personal shredder. Get one that shreds crosswise. Many office supply stores also offer shredding for a fee. I bought a special wastebasket for this kind of mail. and when it's full, I take it to Office Max and have it destroyed.
- Monitor you credit card statements for unusual charges or missing statements. Call the bank immediately if there is a charge you don't recognize. I learned that it is a good idea to go paperless, which surprised me. However, thieves have a harder time getting your personal information if you don't have it delivered to your mailbox.
- Cover your hand when you use your debit card PIN, or better yet, use a credit card for transactions. If you are in a restaurant, pay in cash or at the register rather than letting the wait staff take your card. This is where card numbers often get stolen through hand held scanners; then the numbers are sold on the Internet. Make copies of the front and back of your cards, and destroy old cards.
- Track your credit reports. By law, you are entitled to a free credit report each year from each of the three credit reporting companies. To make the best use of your free reports, request one from a different company every four months. There are also companies who will montitor your reports for any irregularities for a monthly fee.
- Protect your information online and on the phone. Keep your anti-virus and spyware software up-to-date (you need both). Never send your personal information to someone who solicits you by email or phone call. Financial institutions do not ask for this information through email. Don't click links even if the email looks legitimate. Instead, go directly to the bank's website or call them using a number in your statement or on the back of your card. If you are shopping online, look for the lock icon beside the address bar to make sure the site is secure, and read the website's privacy policy. Victims of Internet crime can also file a report at the DOJ and at http://www.ic3.gov/, which is affiliated with the FBI.
- Protect your mail. Place a vacation hold on mail delivery if you are going to be out of town. If you know that your mail has been stolen or that someone has falsified a change-of-address form, it is a federal crime. File a complaint with the Postal Inspector and the Federal Trade Commission. By the way, the FTC site also has some great information.
These are just some of the ways Farmer talked about protecting oneself from identity theft. Caroline Farmer is available to speak to groups and organizations at no charge if the group is large enough to justify the expense of her travel from Raleigh. You can contact her at the North Carolina Department of Justice.
