03/03/2014
by Zoe Ackah, Epoch Times - February 2012
Canadian Massage Therapist develops unique system of lymphatic drainage
Special Feature
You know there’s lymph somewhere inside you, but what, exactly, is it doing for you?
A less-talked-about but no-less-crucial constituent of the vascular system, lymph is a light oily substance that floats in the layer of fat just below the skin, moving around in its own system of vessels.
Lymph is essentially plasma that transports hormones and fat to cells. It’s responsible for moving large particles and everything fat-soluble. It also transports waste, debris, bacteria, toxins and other unwanted stuff from cells for elimination.
One of the crucial functions of lymph is to deal with toxins--to “take out the trash”.
And here’s the kicker--the lymphatic system has no pump. The motion of lymph depends upon exercise. Our sedentary lifestyles combined with the sheer volume of toxins our bodies are bombarded daily with make it easier for the tiny vessels lymph travels through to become clogged.
When lymph drainage is sluggish or impaired the waste and toxins that should be eliminated can be stored in our fat. There they stay, causing symptoms from stiffness and puffiness to skin irritation, fatigue, severe swelling, physical pain and weight gain.
Mild and severe symptoms can be relieved with lymphatic drainage.
Manual lymphatic drainage was pioneered by Emil Voder in the 1930s to help lymphedema patients. Voder’s technique of gentle massage has been the mainstay for lymphedema patients until now.
Canadian innovator
Registered Massage Therapist Marie Graff has created a unique method of manual lymphatic drainage. The results have pleasantly surprised patients at the downtown health and wellness clinic Bodyone where Graff is the proprietor, heading a team of massage therapists, acupuncturists and estheticians.
Graff Lymphatic Recovery (GLR) uses a combination of all-natural fat-splitting ingredients that are absorbed by the skin, in combination with aggressive lymphatic drainage massage to help unclog parts of the lymphatic system that are not circulating properly.
"The primary problem", says Graff, "is that when the lymph gets backed up and stagnant it gets thick like lard. The [lymph] vessels are microscopic. You are not going to get lard into a microscopic vessel."
Graff’s method of splitting the fatty molecules uses ingredients you might find in your refrigerator, which break up the congestion below the skin. The aggressive massage flushes waste and toxins through the lymph vessels and into the elimination channels of the spleen and liver.
“Many of the things that weight the body down come from toxicity,” explains Graff. “Toxicity is corrosive and aggressive to tissue. Getting it out is important and in modern life we accumulate toxins like never before.”
Purposeful stimulation of the lymphatic system has a surprising number of uses.
Pre- and Post-operative
A number of Graff’s clients have found GLR treatments helpful in recovering after liposuction, breast enhancement and other kinds or surgery where the lymphatic system had been damaged.
“Some plastic surgeons in France and the United States will not do elective surgery without a regime of lymphatic drainage before and after surgery,” says Graff, “the results of healing are so much greater.”
43-year-old IT professional Irina experienced serious complications after cosmetic surgery.
“There was no movement in the tissue in my cheeks, chin and sides. The tissue was swollen and very tight. Touching and moving the skin on my face would result in needles-picking sensation with a shooting pain. I would get very strong headaches and sever pain in my temples area in the evenings.” In essence Irina had lost the use of her face.
After 7 GLR treatments Irina reported that her condition improved significantly, “I was able to start feeling my face again. I stopped to feel as if I had a hockey mask on top of my face.”
Swollen?
For other patients like Margaret the lack of proper lymph circulation had created serious problems.
“I had sever total body swelling…pain greatly inhibiting my ability to walk, climb stairs or sit without pain,” recalls Margaret. “Prior to the treatment my feet and legs were so swollen I could not get boots on.”
After 7 days of intensive GLR treatments Margaret wrote in a letter of thanks, “I can walk now with no pain except in one localized area [where a previous injury had occurred]…at the end of my last day of treatment my body congestion, [and] inflammation were reduced by over, in my estimation, 85%...You provided a solution that was drug free, effective and not available anywhere else.”
Improved skin quality
GLR has also helped patients with recurring skin problems. Ana, 42, works in IT as a business analyst.
“I had severe acne mainly on the chin area and a lot of scaring. The area looked inflamed and I used to get pimples, [which were] very painful.” Before her GLR treatments Ana had been prescribed antibiotics. “It helped for a few months then the problem reoccurred.”
After 10 sessions of GLR Ana reported a lasting change, “I didn't have the chin acne problem since the treatment, last year in June.”
Lorena, a 39-year-old educator and the University of Toronto had been diagnosed with adult acne that covered her chest and back. She was offered a prescription. “There were a lot of potential side effects, and I was not prepared to risk it.”
“GLR did improve my symptoms by eventually taking away the acne altogether…my skin felt completely renewed and nourished.”
Cellu–lighter?
You may have assumed cellulite is a natural part of ageing, only to be banished with serious exercise and liposuction. We tend to think of it as an aesthetic problem. These fatty deposits not only store fat: A buildup of fat-soluble toxins in the body can adversely affect our health.
Charina, a 34-year-old investment accountant began a 7-day course of GLR treatment in 2009. “I had cellulite even as a child,” said Charina, “The symptoms were poor circulation, lack of elasticity in the skin, [and the] ‘cottage cheese’ look.”
“The treatment improved my symptoms immensely…I immediately felt improved circulation. I was able to start wearing shorts and short skirts that summer without feeling as self-conscious.”
For Charina the effects were lasting. She hasn’t seen the cellulite return since the treatment.
A safe bet
Clearer, brighter skin; smoother thighs and cellulite reduction: This may remind you of the many benefits that new lazer therapies claim.
Oprah.com did a review of a lazer product that uses the same basic idea as GLR – heat the fat until it is less liquid and send it back into the lymphatic system for drainage.
In the light of a dramatic W5 report aired last month on unregulated lazer use and a hidden epidemic of lazer related injuries, you may want to think twice.
Though GLR is more time-intensive than lazer therapies, it completely natural, using long massage sessions and all-natural ingredients to create similar, if not better results.
Marie Graff can be reached for consultation at BodyOne 302-688 Richmond St W. Toronto, ON (416) 516-2114 www.bodyone.ca
Covers a range of general massage practices including, fascial massage, deep tissue massage, sports massage, relaxation massage etc. light work to deep.
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