Listen to your body!

Oftentimes, I disregard the urgent messages sent to me by my body and the result is catastrophe of epic proportions. Most recently, I came down with a very bad upper respiratory infection because I did not listen to my body’s urgent plea to rest.  I came from Shanghai where I attended events that lasted all night, and with little sleep, I would join early morning tours, in freezing cold weather coupled with intermittent showers.  The cycle went on for almost a week because I thought I would rest in Manila. I had no chance to rest in Manila as on the day of my arrival, I had to attend the birthday dinner of a close friend, and the ensuing days were filled with must-attend activities. Thinking I was Superwoman, I continued my pace even if I was already suffering from full-blown rhinitis and my body was screaming in deafening tones for me to rest. I had a dizzy spell during a dance training where I almost fainted in the arms of my dance partner.  Fast-forward to my one-day hospitalization (as I insisted on getting discharged with the promise of resting at home): My good doctor put me on heavy antibiotics for a week and intravenous injections of vitamins and minerals two times, among other medications. After two weeks, my body was still not up to par so I thought of calling my sister in Paris who is an expert on detoxification.  She advised me to go on a detox juice fast for three days, but most importantly, she told me to do a lymphatic drainage massage once a week for two weeks. Being a doubting Thomas, I asked her to give me the history and importance of  lymphatic drainage massage and below is her research material.

Manual lymphatic drainage was pioneered by Dr. Emil Vodder in the 1930s for the treatment of chronic sinusitis and other immune disorders. While working on the French Riviera treating patients with chronic colds, Dr Emil Vodder and his wife Dr. Estrid Vodder noticed these patients had swollen lymph nodes. In the 1930s, it was considered taboo to tamper with the lymphatic system due to the medical profession’s poor understanding of this system. The Vodders were not deterred by this, and in 1932 began to study the lymph system, and developed careful hand movements to cause lymph movement. In 1936, after four years of research, they introduced this technique in Paris, France.

How important is the lymph system? Within us all there is a silent system working to keep us healthy — the lymph system. Without it, our bodies would swell up like balloons, swamping our cells with stagnant fluid. The lymph system’s impact is so far-reaching that many don’t even realize that minor aches and pains, low energy or susceptibility to colds and flu may be due to a sluggish lymph system and a compromised immune system.  Most people do not know that the lymphatic system plays a very important role in keeping us healthy. The toxins that are accumulated in the body are flushed out by the lymphatic system through the lymph which is a clear, yellowish fluid which flows through the entire body. In this way, the lymphatic system helps in strengthening the immune system and protects us from health problems. However, when the lymphatic system is blocked, the lymph loses its ability to flow across the body and due to this, the whole system becomes toxic. When this happens, the immune system weakens and the individual becomes susceptible to viral infections and contagious diseases, and may also experience swelling in some parts of the body. Here, the lymphatic drainage massage becomes useful because by stimulating the lymphatic system, it helps the accumulated fluid to start flowing and takes the toxins out of the body. So, if you are suffering from problems like frequent colds and flu, etc. you should try the lymphatic drainage massage therapy like I did.  

From my inquiries, I discovered Neo Spa at The Fort for a perfect lymphatic drainage massage. My therapist Jimma has the magic touch and made me feel brand-new instantly. Before the massage, Neo Spa’s program included: a nori seaweed bath which was a 15 to 30-minute soak. Seaweeds are algae and they have unique health and nutritional properties. This soak helps to restore moisture levels, oxygenates and detoxifies the skin. Seaweed baths have long been used for their cleansing and exfoliating qualities. When applied to the body, seaweeds draw excess fluid and waste products from the skin. They also act as cleanser for dead skin cells and other impurities on the surface. Seaweeds are also rich in iodine, which can help boost thyroid functions. Then Jimma applied all over me a citrus-based exfoliating cream with micro pearl beads for a full body cleansing scrub. This is done to prepare the skin by lightly exfoliating the body and to help soften dry skin. I rinsed it off after 15 minutes and then Jimma applied a moist brown algae mixture all over my body. She then wrapped my whole body in plastic to keep me warm for 20 minutes. This body wrap helps to detoxify and purify, aids in the fight against cellulite, and helps restore sun-damaged skin.

After the three-step preparation, I finally experienced the curative lymphatic massage. Technically speaking, manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) is a type of gentle massage which is intended by proponents to encourage the natural circulation of the lymph through the body. The lymph system depends on intrinsic contractions of the smooth muscle cells in the walls of lymph vessels (peristalsis) and the movement of skeletal muscles to propel lymph through the vessels to lymph nodes and then beyond the lymph nodes to the lymph ducts, which return lymph to the cardiovascular system. Manual lymph drainage uses a specific amount of pressure (less than nine ounces per square inch) and rhythmic circular movements to stimulate lymph flow.

I felt light after the massage, like a ton of toxins left my body. I vowed to do it at least once a month but most importantly, I vowed to listen to my body’s messages to avoid another health breakdown.

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Sources: Lourdes Carmona Corcellut, Neo-Spa, Sean Riehl (author).

For inquiries, call Neo Spa, ground floor, Net One Center, 26th St. corner 3rd Ave., Bonifacio Global City, at 815-8233 and 815-6948.