This depuff, drain (lymphatic drainage) and regulate series is the perfect primer for SMASHING perimenopause symptoms by optimizing your hormone balance! If you’re over the age of thirty and/or in Perimenopause, consider stacking these three habits and creating a little “variety pack” (laugh) for yourself that will lower inflammation (depuff), balance your stress hormone cortisol and regulate your nervous system. Today we’re diving into my top 10 ways to DRAIN. Find the best ways to depuff here and my top ways to regulate here. You can find the series over on my Instagram (look for the pink covers) or follow along here on the blog.
It was really only a short time ago that I experienced another major health crisis and through genetic testing I discovered how poorly I detox/drain. THINK: I have to REALLY work hard at this because my lymph doesn’t move well and I just stay INFLAMED. AND because I live in the middle of nowhere, I can’t get to the nearest clinic that offers the BalancerPro as often as I’d like but it’s one of my favorite treatments and has helped me drain tremendously. When I can’t get there, I rely on at-home resources which I’ll be sharing in this series.
Why Lymphatic Drainage is Important During Perimenopause
Draining the body is a crucial aspect of functional medicine, as it focuses on supporting the body’s natural detoxification and drainage processes to enhance overall health. Detoxification aids in the efficient functioning of organs like the liver and kidneys, which are vital for filtering out toxins and waste. By promoting the movement of lymphatic fluid, drainage effectively removes these unwanted substances, leading to better energy levels and a more resilient immune system. Additionally, facilitating the drainage process can reduce inflammation, as it helps eliminate the buildup of harmful substances that can trigger inflammatory responses. By ensuring that the body’s natural waste removal systems are functioning optimally, you can help REDUCE perimenopause symptoms!
Dr Leb’s Top 10 Ways to Drain for Lymphatic Drainage
- Rebound or perform heel lifts for 3-5 minutes – Supporting lymphatic drainage is a form of detoxification so while drinking a ton of water is a key component, DRAINING properly is just as crucial AND since the lymphatic system works in conjunction with blood circulation, it’s extremely important that our lymph is flowing in order to keep our hormones balanced.
- Alternate yoga poses from Downward Dog to Cat – Any time your head is below your heart, lymph flows from the highest point in your body to the lowest due to gravity so alternating between these poses is a great way to drain.
- Whole body vibration – I have a Power Plate but it’s a bit of an investment and I’ve seen some more affordable versions on Amazon that look like they can get the job done. There’s tons of studies that have shown that mechanical vibrations encourage lymphatic drainage and can actually move stagnant lymph (PMID: 27739419).
- Gua-sha – My acupuncturist who’s trained in traditional Chinese medicine recommended this protocol to encourage lymphatic drainage in my face and neck but it can be performed anywhere (even using a spoon!) along the lymphatic chain because research shows it increases circulation (PMID: 17905355).
- Wear a castor oil pack – By wearing a castor oil pack, the flow of lymph increases throughout the body which helps to speed up the removal of toxins. Wrap around your liver and wear for a few hours or overnight.
- Child’s Pose – This yoga pose stretches all the right places, releases all the right places and the compression of your stomach promotes abdominal lymphatic drainage.
- Dry brushing – Your lymphatic system drains into your collecting ducts underneath your collar bone so make sure when you dry brush that you gently swipe towards the center of your body.
- Coffee enema – This is a new one for me! And since you can’t DRAIN if you’re toxic, I’m helping my sluggish liver and stagnant lymph purge toxins. I’ve had numerous holistic practitioners over the years encourage me to do this, while medical professional advise against it. Only you can decide after you conduct your own research and discuss it with your provider.
- Skip for 10-15 seconds – The repeated contraction and relaxation of muscles and connective tissues promote the upward movement of the lymph fluid through numerous lymph valves and effectively encourages drainage.
- Manual lymphatic massage – I’m following Dr. Nicholson’s six lymph points (and he states the importance of doing them in this order to properly DRAIN!):
- Collarbone (Below and above)
- Side of the neck at C1/C2
- Pectoral/Axillary (Shoulder joint)
- Abdomen
- Inguinal (Groin crease)
- Popliteal (Behind knees)
Don’t forget to explore more of my blog posts and reach out if you have any questions.
The information provided in this blog post is for informational purposes only. The information is a result of years of practice and experience by Dr. Francesca LeBlanc. However, this information is NOT intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician. Do not use the information provided in this post for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing medication or other treatment. Always speak with your physician or other healthcare professional before taking any medication or nutritional, herbal or homeopathic supplement, or using any treatment for a health problem. Please, do not disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking professional advice because of something you have read on this website.
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