Technology guide
The lymphatic system: its role in eliminating waste
The lymphatic system drains excess fluid and waste from the tissues. Understanding it lets you explain simply to your clients what draining treatments do.
A network parallel to the blood circulation
The lymphatic system is a network of vessels that collects excess fluid between the cells, along with the waste and large molecules it contains, and returns it to the blood. It has no central pump like the heart: lymph moves slowly.
How it is organised
Tiny lymphatic capillaries collect fluid in the tissues. They join larger vessels, equipped with valves and muscle fibres that contract segment by segment. The lymph then passes through lymph nodes, in the armpits, groin and neck, which filter it, before rejoining the bloodstream at the level of the chest.
What moves lymph along
Muscle contraction, breathing movements and the lymphatic vessels' own contractions. That is why immobility slows drainage, and why walking, pressotherapy and manual drainage speed it up.
A cleansing and defence role
Lymph removes proteins and fats that the blood vessels cannot take up, cell debris and some metabolic waste. The lymph nodes also take part in immune defence: they swell during an infection.
When drainage is poor
Mild lymphatic insufficiency shows up as a feeling of heaviness and swelling. Lymphoedema, congenital or following surgery or radiotherapy, is a medical condition. A red streak on the skin with fever (lymphangitis) is an emergency: no beauty treatment, refer to a doctor.