Fascia is the Heart of the Lymphatic System
Written by Justin Krull, Registered Physiotherapist
Did you know that your blood cells travel through the circulatory system from start to finish once every minute? That is 5 litres of blood carrying life sustaining oxygen getting pressed from larger vessels into smaller and smaller vessels to eventually releasing their payload across vessel walls only one cell thick before snatching up any carbon dioxide and rushing off back to the heart. The only part of the blood participating in this gas exchange is the Red Blood Cells. They are large enough that they will not permeate the vessel walls unless they are damaged, and a bruise develops. However, all that fluid, rushing at that speed with the pressure of the heart muscle behind it means that a lot of the blood plasma simply leaks out of our blood vessels as they get more and more narrow on their way to the body tissues. So why then are we not walking around like big swollen blobs?
“Why aren’t we walking around like swollen blobs...?”
Answer: The Lymphatic System!
The lymphatic system is a network of tissues and organs that help re-uptake leaked blood plasma while getting rid of the body’s toxins, waste and other unwanted materials that are not carbon dioxide. The system consists primarily of lymph vessels, lymph nodes and lymph. Its main job is to transport lymph, a protein rich fluid containing all the unwanted toxic materials, to the large veins within the neck for removal through the circulatory system. When traveling towards the large veins, the lymph passes through the lymph vessels to lymph nodes where the lymph is filtered, and immune cells (specialized white blood cells) kill off harmful bacteria and viruses. Essentially, the lymphatic system is a cleaning crew for the body.
However, unlike the circulatory system which has vessels moving away from and back to the heart in a closed loop, the lymphatic system only travels in one direction towards the neck. This is where the fascia becomes important! The lymphatic network is located within our fascia. Since the lymphatic system does not have a heart like the circulatory system to pump the lymph, it relies on our bodies movement by the muscles and fascia to squeeze the lymphatic vessels and push the lymph through the system like a low-pressure hose.
The Lymphatic System (Green)
When the fascia is healthy, hydrated, and unrestricted, the lymph can move more easily through it towards the neck for removal. However, if the fascia is bound and restricted because of dysfunctional postures, injury, surgical scarring, inflammation, or removal of lymph nodes as a part of medical treatment such as with cancer, this can create roadblocks in the system. In fact, restricted fascia can have the tensile strength of up to 2000 pounds per square inch. That is the same as 2 horses standing in the road of your lymphatic system. When the fascia is restricted, lymphatic drainage slows down and is less effective, leaving harmful cells and oxidative waste products in the body for longer.
“Restricted fascia can have the tensile strength of up to 2000 pounds per square inch”
The pressure of blocked lymphatic vessels can manifest in a variety of ways. Chronic swelling and fluid pooling as a result of lymph node removal is a common side effect of life saving breast cancer surgical treatment. Knees, elbows, ankles, wrists, and just about any joint can become swollen or puffy as inflammation of the joint blocks effective blood flow and nerve conduction across the joint, further exacerbating pain symptoms and joint instability. The body will sometimes swell in key areas to aid in lubrication and mobility of nervous system structures across the transverse planes of joints in individuals experiencing chronic nerve impingement. The overall effects can be very debilitating and are compounded when subconscious bracing and maladaptive movement patterns restrict motion in and around joints, and through several key regions in the abdomen, chest, and skull.
Myofascial Release technique for the lower abdomen and anterior hip
The ability of the lymph to easily move and be removed through the large veins is crucial in maintaining our daily health. When the lymphatic system collects and defends against unwanted bacteria, viruses, and other toxic cells, it prevents infections and diseases like cancer from spreading. The constant movement of unwanted cellular waste out of the region they were created prevents the formation of cysts, improves nerve conduction, restores normal lines of tension and compression across joint surfaces, decreases inflammation of all causes and ultimately contributes to a sense of wellness. Bottom line, a healthy lymphatic system relies on a healthy fascial system and vice versa.
Are you experiencing issues with chronic swelling or lymphedema and want to try a new approach to management? Book in with one of our highly skilled Myofascial Release Therapists today.
