Lymphatic Health: The How & Why on Dry Skin Brushing
May 07, 2023Hey,
You are so worthy.
You deserve to feel healthy, vibrant & happy.
Looking after yourself is a sign of self-respect.
This comes in many shapes and forms.
Movement. Nutrition. Education. Self-work. Enjoying Your Life.
But today is about one of my favourites; Dry Skin Brushing, which is said to:
- Stimulate the lymphatic system
- Support immune health & function
- Exfoliates and softens skin texture
- May reduce swelling and fluid retention
- In Ayurveda, dry brushing is traditional used to rid the build up of 'ama' - toxin build up, yet there is little to no clinical evidence to prove this
- Promotes local circulation and simulation
- Is an invigorating sensory experience & opportunity to be present with your body
- FYI it's an added bonus, you don't have to do this if you've got enough of your plate sister ;)
A little on the lymphatic system...
Not only am I insanely satisfied watching dry skin literally fall to the floor, but dry skin brushing, as well as movement + hydration & lessening your toxic load, is one of the best ways to care for your lymphatic system. Our lymph nodes are an essential part of our immune system, clustered throughout our entire body, they act as filters if you will, removing foreign and unwanted bits 'n' bobs from fluids that run through the vessels of our lymph system. You may have heard me many times in class say 'when we increase blood flow we increase lymph flow!', that's because the lymphatic system moves lymph, a clear fluid containing white blood cells, through lymph vessels and drains into the bloodstream!
Often people are only aware of their lymph nodes once fighting an infection, where they can feel either swollen, sore or even blocked with cyst like lumps! This is because whenever our immune system defences are activated, the body will always respond with inflammation to help deal with the problem, thus feeling swollen lymph nodes.
I'll include a diagram of the lymph vessels and nodes within the body for your reference, I never want you to miss the dense areas when dry brushing (back of knees, groins, lumbar, abdomen, collarbones, armpits, neck) the goal here is to keep the rivers of your body flowing, fresh & filtered! Dry brushing is always done on dry skin, preferably before your morning shower. Aim to do this at least a few times a week, one of the secrets to encouraging positive effects from dry brushing is the consistency of it.
Prior: If dry brushing in the morning, you could add a few drops of peppermint oil to really invigorate the senses & accompany the practice with songs that bring you joy, extra bonus is to jump around and dance, remember when blood flows lymph flows!
If opting to dry brush at night, drop some lavender or grapefruit oil on the brush first, slow down, dim the lights and opt for more gentle strokes to shift into the parasympathetic nervous system.
How: With a brush of your choice, begin with the tops & soles of your feet. Use long repetitive upward strokes up the long bones of your legs, and circular motions for your ankles and knees (don't skip the lymph nodes behind your knee caps or inside the groin)
Once at the belly, make clock-wise circular motions, if you have c-section or abdominal surgery scars, move over these to stimulate your nerve-endings and establish more mobilisation surrounding your scars. Then long repetitive upward strokes along your entire abdomen toward your sternum.
Move now to your hands & wrists, using again long strokes up the arm bones and circular motions for your elbows and shoulders. The armpits, collar bones & neck are dense lymph node regions, brush horizontally from your outer collarbone to the mid chest repetitively, then lift your arm to the sky and brush the entire armpit & lateral ribcage repetitively.
Note the density of lymph nodes around your neck, behind your ears and even your face, you can opt for guasha on your face instead. You can gently stimulate long strokes at the front, sides and back of your neck, not missing the backs of your ears and hairline. If not too sensitive you can gently brush along the breasts, if you're feeling rundown, fighting an infection or breastfeeding focus more on the lymph nodes in your armpits.
You may notice some areas are more sensitive to the brush than others, go gently here. It is normal for your skin to turn a little red, remember that when you stimulate lymph, you stimulate blood flow! Finish your routine with a shower & keep up your hydration throughout the day.
This is a practice I enjoy 2-3 times per week, not only as a way to care for my lymph health, but to keep my skin texture smooth and enjoy 5-10 minutes locked away from the constant nagging for snacks from my children. Don't worry, they're either with their dad or the cat.
Happy brushing friends,
Amy xo
Dry brush options:
