Lymph Nodes

Lymph nodes (or lymph glands) are small lumps of tissue containing white blood cells that fight infection.

They are part of the body’s immune system and filter lymph fluid, composed of water and waste products from body tissues.

Introduction to Lymph Nodes

Lymph nodes are located in different body areas. On average, we have approx 600 LN.

In the neck area only, we find 160 LN itself.

LN can vary in size and go from 2 to 30 mm.

Lymph Nodes are connected by vessels, better known as afferent and efferent vessels.

The afferent vessels carry the lymph to the lymph node, and the efferent vessels take the lymph away from the lymph nodes.

So, the lymph nodes are also connected directly to the blood system, veins, and arteria.

What a Lympho Node is made of?

Despite the structures that enter and leave the lymph node, these cleaning stations are made of:

• Connective tissue capsule
• Supporting strands of connective tissue inside
• Below the marginal sinus, there are clusters of lymphocytes= lymphoid follicles
• Artery, vein and nerve

As for the filtering station, the lymph node is essential to ensure that no bacteria, viruses or dirt can access the blood system.

Where we find no lymph nodes in the brain.

Indeed the lymph liquid around this area gets drained by the Optic and Olfatic nerves.

Following then the position of the lymph nodes, we can define the watershed.

MLD and Lymph Nodes.

Lymph Nodes can occasionally be swollen, which happens when the body fights an infection.

In my practitioner experience, I often have to refer to the lymph node concept to introduce the client to MLD treatment.

Not many clients know about this technique; they are more familiar with Myotherapy or Thai Massage and Remedial Massage.

Said so, the client who tried MLD are all well impressed with its benefit.

During an MLD session, what happens is that with a gentle stretch and recoil of the skin, I help your lymphatic system to work faster.

Consequently, that’s how swollen area gets reduced.

In pushing your lymphatic system to work harder, the lymph node would receive more liquid to process.

On the other hand, knowing where the lymph nodes are, is essential to ensure we push the lymph liquid in the right direction.

If you haven’t booked your appointment yet and wish to give a goal to MLD, please follow this link.

To my qualification, I work only with patients with an intact Lymphatic System.

So, if you are after a post-cancer treatment or suffering from lipoedema or lymphoedema, please, feel free to contact me, and I can refer you to someone else.