You probably give a lot more thought to improve your immunity through consuming superfoods, immunity boosters, and other practices than stimulating your lymphatic system. In fact, most people are unaware of the lymphatic system’s pivotal role in promoting immunity and fighting pathogens. In this article, know how to boost your immunity and fight infections going around us by stimulating your lymphatic circulation.

Stimulating the Lymphatic Circulation System 

Lymphatic Circulation vs. Cardio-vascular Circulation

Your lymphatic system consists of several lymph nodes that serve as defense centers. This is where the fighting between the white blood cells and invaders or pathogens takes place. The lymphatic fluid circulates all around the body carrying unwanted debris, toxins, and free radicals away from the cells.

The lymphatic systems also consist of specialized organs like tonsils, thymus, appendix, spleen, and more that work together to fight pathogens and bring about immunity in your system.

On the other hand, it is your cardiovascular system that supplies blood to every part of the body with oxygen and nutrients for optimal function. The cardiovascular system has a pump which is the heart that regulates blood flow and circulation.

However, the lymphatic system isn’t fortunate enough to have a powerful pumping system to keep the pressure moving and the lymph fluid flowing. If your lymphatic system slows down, toxins accumulate and immune cells won’t be delivered to the part of the body where they are needed. This leads to deterioration of the immune system, weakening your body’s ability to fight infection and disease.

But, here is the good news – there are ways to stimulate the lymphatic system and this is where physical movement plays a key role to act as a pump for lymphatic circulation. Unlike blood which moves as a result of pumping by the heart, lymph only moves by muscular contractions. 

Simple Ways to Stimulating the Lymphatic Circulation System 

Here are some simple exercise movements that act as pumps at different regions of the body to keep the lymph fluid moving:

 

  • Ear and Neck Region – 

 

There are a lot of lymph nodes located in the neck region and just in front and behind of the ears:

    • Pulling the Ears – The first pumping you can do is to pull your ears up and down as we do as punishment at school during olden times or like the super brain yoga pose where you pull the ears and squat. You can do this movement for a couple of minutes
    • Cycling the Ears – Next, cycle around with the ears in a clockwise and anticlockwise direction as if you are pedaling them slowly for about 2 minutes
    • Neck Rolls – Rotating the neck clockwise and anticlockwise to complete a full circle. Repeat as desired
    • Shoulder Pumps – There are a lot of lymph nodes near the shoulder and armpit. Simply moving the shoulder up and down with deep breaths will keep the lymph moving in this region. Take your shoulders up, breathe in, breathe out and pump your shoulders up and down for few times, breathe out and relax. Do this for 2 to 3 repetitions. Alternatively, you can also shoulder rolls in a circular motion to release the tension in this part of the body.

 

 

  • Diaphragm – Abdomen Region

 

Your diaphragm is the biggest pump for all the lymph vessel nodes that are going through the center of the body.

  • Kapalbhati Pranayama – In this pranayama, you should breathe in such that you are filling your tummy with air and while breathing out you should throw the air out with a jerk from the stomach with a small hissing sound. You can do about 15 to 20 breaths as one round and do about 2 to 3 reps. This will work as a great pump to get the lymph moving

 

 

  • Inguinal and Pelvic Region

 

The lymph nodes from the legs, the outer portion of the genitalia, lower abdominal wall and pelvic cavity are among the last chains of the lymph nodes

  • Butterfly – Simple and subtle flaps of the leg like a butterfly by bringing both the heels together as close as possible towards the groin region. You can do it for about 30 to 40 seconds with 3 repetitions as well

 

 

  • Calf

 

Last but not the least, this region can serve as the most important pump for the lymphatic system. The calf muscles are also referred to as the second heart because it does a lot of work to keep the lymph fluid moving upward defying gravity and without a pump.

  • Rebounding Movement – Exercise your calf muscles, the bulkier behind your legs. It is a very simple movement and you can do this as many times in a day. Simply Come on your toes and come on your heels and perform these alternate movements repetitively. You can hold onto something if you don’t have the right balance.

The above are a few quick and easy movements to stimulate the lymphatic system. Apart from these important physical movements, there are other measures to stimulate the lymph as well. These include alternate hot and cold water showers or hydrotherapy, dry brushing your skin with a gentle bristle brush, and hydrating practices with drinking plenty of water and sipping herbal teas throughout the day.

Movement is Medicine

Some movement is better than no movement at all. Apart from other benefits, remember that movement is essential for lymphatic function and improving immunity as well.