Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD)
And beyond….
Manual Lymphatic Drainage is a technique in which gentle pressure is applied to the recipient’s skin in a systematic and rhythmic manner, with the intention of increasing the flow of fluids throughout the vessels of the lymphatic network.
What is the lymphatic network?
The lymphatic network is a system of capillaries, pre-collectors, collectors and lymphatic trunks, all of which act as vessels for transporting lymphatic fluid, along with lymph nodes (the purification stations) and other lymphoid tissues. This system is closely related to the circulatory system, as it picks up water, proteins, toxins and debris that have left the blood vessels and entered the interstitial spaces (spaces between cells, tissues or parts of an organ). Lymphatic fluid transports immune cells called lymphocytes whose job it is to attack invaders, such as viruses, bacteria and other potentially harmful matter. A properly functioning lymphatic system is vitally important to our overall health and well-being…..but this is only half the story.
In 1951 Osteoopathic Doctor, Harold Magoun Sr. wrote a book entitiled, Osteopathy in the Cranial Field. In this well-recognized and revered book, Magoun states: “The therapeutic approach is aimed at the craniosacral ensemble, but no treatment involves a wider potential of influence with full reciprocity in the interrelation of organ systems, as controlled by the all-important nervous system with biochemical, bioelectrical, and hydrodynamic continuity, and interchange between the cerebrospinal fluid and lymph stream and the tissue pieces.”
One may read this quote and say, “What is this guy talking about??” This is how I look at it.
When practicing Craniosacral Therapy (CST), we are not only directly interacting with the recipient’s (person receiving Craniosacal Therapy) central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord), we are also maintaining the potential to influence the bones of the skull and sacrum, the fascial membranes that contain and protect the central nervous system (CNS), the structures that produce and absorb cerebrospinal fluid, as well as the cerebrospinal fluid itself. This is what Magoun is referring to as the craniosacral ensemble. We often refer to it as the craniosacral system. Applying craniosacral techniques with the intention of supporting and encouraging this system to work better has global implications; one of which is the effect it can have on the lymphatic system, and vice versa. According to the National Institute of Health, in 2015 scientists discovered networks of lymphatic vessels in the brains of mice. This was considered quite a breakthrough because it contradicted a conventional belief that that there are no lymphatic vessels in the brain. Its stated over and over again in every A&P textbook I have ever come across. This new discovery has since been confirmed in research labs in university hospitals worldwide. I guess the textbooks will eventually catch up. This is wonderful news of course because when we take into consideration the importance of a highly functioning central nervous system, we know that cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) plays a vital role. In addition to providing a fluid environment that protects the delicate structures of the brain and spinal cord, CSF also provides essential nutrients as it removes toxins and by products of cellular metabolism. This service which the CSF provides is an important factor in protecting against the destructive forces of inflammation that can go unchecked when these fluids can’t move properly, leaving them to stagnate. We now know that the newly discovered lymphatic system in the brain, together with lymphatic structures within the fascial network that encases the spinal cord, absorb as much as 50% of the circulated CSF that re-enters the blood stream and returns to the heart.
Here’s the equation:
Craniosacral system + Lymphatic system = “full reciprocity in the interrelation of organ systems as controlled by the all- important nervous system, with biochemical, bioelectrical, and hydrodynamic continuity and interchange between the cerebrospinal fluid and and lymph stream and the tissue pieces.”
~ H. Magoun
So would it be safe to say that if the craniosacral system isn’t functioning optimally, the lymphatic system probably isn’t either and vice versa? Could this have global implications in the human body? Would helping both these systems work better and come into balance lead to healthy changes for the recipient? I’d say so. Mangoun is only one of the original Osteopaths to talk about the significance of the lymphatic system and it’s interrelation to the central nervous system. Andrew Taylor Still, the father of Osteopathy spoke about it in the early part of the 20th century as well as 18th century scientist and philosopher Emanuel Swedenborg,
Charise Rogosky LMT, CSTA-CP
What is the lymphatic network?
The lymphatic network is a system of capillaries, pre-collectors, collectors and lymphatic trunks, all of which act as vessels for transporting lymphatic fluid, along with lymph nodes (the purification stations) and other lymphoid tissues. This system is closely related to the circulatory system, as it picks up water, proteins, toxins and debris that have left the blood vessels and entered the interstitial spaces (spaces between cells, tissues or parts of an organ). Lymphatic fluid transports immune cells called lymphocytes whose job it is to attack invaders, such as viruses, bacteria and other potentially harmful matter. A properly functioning lymphatic system is vitally important to our overall health and well-being…..but this is only half the story.
In 1951 Osteoopathic Doctor, Harold Magoun Sr. wrote a book entitiled, Osteopathy in the Cranial Field. In this well-recognized and revered book, Magoun states: “The therapeutic approach is aimed at the craniosacral ensemble, but no treatment involves a wider potential of influence with full reciprocity in the interrelation of organ systems, as controlled by the all-important nervous system with biochemical, bioelectrical, and hydrodynamic continuity, and interchange between the cerebrospinal fluid and lymph stream and the tissue pieces.”
One may read this quote and say, “What is this guy talking about??” This is how I look at it.
When practicing Craniosacral Therapy (CST), we are not only directly interacting with the recipient’s (person receiving Craniosacal Therapy) central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord), we are also maintaining the potential to influence the bones of the skull and sacrum, the fascial membranes that contain and protect the central nervous system (CNS), the structures that produce and absorb cerebrospinal fluid, as well as the cerebrospinal fluid itself. This is what Magoun is referring to as the craniosacral ensemble. We often refer to it as the craniosacral system. Applying craniosacral techniques with the intention of supporting and encouraging this system to work better has global implications; one of which is the effect it can have on the lymphatic system, and vice versa. According to the National Institute of Health, in 2015 scientists discovered networks of lymphatic vessels in the brains of mice. This was considered quite a breakthrough because it contradicted a conventional belief that that there are no lymphatic vessels in the brain. Its stated over and over again in every A&P textbook I have ever come across. This new discovery has since been confirmed in research labs in university hospitals worldwide. I guess the textbooks will eventually catch up. This is wonderful news of course because when we take into consideration the importance of a highly functioning central nervous system, we know that cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) plays a vital role. In addition to providing a fluid environment that protects the delicate structures of the brain and spinal cord, CSF also provides essential nutrients as it removes toxins and by products of cellular metabolism. This service which the CSF provides is an important factor in protecting against the destructive forces of inflammation that can go unchecked when these fluids can’t move properly, leaving them to stagnate. We now know that the newly discovered lymphatic system in the brain, together with lymphatic structures within the fascial network that encases the spinal cord, absorb as much as 50% of the circulated CSF that re-enters the blood stream and returns to the heart.
Here’s the equation:
Craniosacral system + Lymphatic system = “full reciprocity in the interrelation of organ systems as controlled by the all- important nervous system, with biochemical, bioelectrical, and hydrodynamic continuity and interchange between the cerebrospinal fluid and and lymph stream and the tissue pieces.”
~ H. Magoun
So would it be safe to say that if the craniosacral system isn’t functioning optimally, the lymphatic system probably isn’t either and vice versa? Could this have global implications in the human body? Would helping both these systems work better and come into balance lead to healthy changes for the recipient? I’d say so. Mangoun is only one of the original Osteopaths to talk about the significance of the lymphatic system and it’s interrelation to the central nervous system. Andrew Taylor Still, the father of Osteopathy spoke about it in the early part of the 20th century as well as 18th century scientist and philosopher Emanuel Swedenborg,
Charise Rogosky LMT, CSTA-CP