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Acorn Health Blog

What we love is great health...

...and we like to write about how we can all achieve better health, naturally. Sometimes tips on how you can DIY to better health and sometimes on the therapies that can make a difference to you, your health and wellbeing.
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What is Manual Lymphatic Drainage?

Therapies Posted by JadwigaPosted on Thu, November 14, 2024 10:35AM

Manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) is a specialized form of massage therapy that focuses on stimulating the lymphatic system, a crucial component of the immune system responsible for transporting lymph fluid throughout the body. This gentle, rhythmic technique can offer a wide range of health benefits, making it a valuable addition to your wellness routine.

What is the Lymphatic System?
The lymphatic system consists of a network of vessels, nodes, and organs that work together to maintain fluid balance, absorb fats from the digestive system, and filter out toxins and waste products. Unlike the circulatory system, which has the heart to pump blood, the lymphatic system relies on the movement of muscles and joints to circulate lymph fluid. When this system becomes compromised, it can lead to swelling, discomfort, and various health issues.

The Technique of Manual Lymphatic Drainage
MLD employs light, rhythmic strokes to encourage lymph flow and reduce congestion. The technique typically involves gentle movements directed towards the lymph nodes, allowing the body to process and eliminate waste more efficiently. It is important to note that MLD is performed by professionals like George Timby, who understand the anatomy of the lymphatic system and can tailor the treatment to individual needs.

Benefits of Manual Lymphatic Drainage
Enhanced Recovery After Surgery: MLD can significantly speed up the healing process post-surgery. By reducing swelling and promoting lymphatic drainage, it can help minimize bruising and enhance recovery.

Management of Lymphedema: For individuals with lymphedema—a condition characterized by fluid retention and swelling—MLD can provide significant relief. The gentle techniques used in MLD help to manage fluid accumulation, improving comfort and mobility.

Detoxification and Immune Support: By encouraging lymphatic flow, MLD aids in detoxification, helping the body eliminate waste and toxins more effectively. This can lead to improved immune function and overall health.

Stress Relief and Relaxation: The soothing nature of MLD not only benefits physical health but also promotes mental well-being. Many clients report feeling deeply relaxed and stress-free after a session, contributing to better emotional health.

Improved Skin Health: MLD can also enhance skin tone and texture by increasing circulation and reducing puffiness. This can be particularly beneficial for those with conditions such as acne or rosacea.

Who Can Benefit from MLD?
While anyone can benefit from manual lymphatic drainage, certain groups may find it particularly advantageous:

Post-Surgical Patients: MLD is often recommended for individuals recovering from surgeries such as cosmetic procedures or those requiring lymph node removal.


Athletes: Athletes often use MLD to enhance recovery and reduce muscle soreness after intense workouts or competitions.


Individuals with Chronic Conditions: Those with conditions like fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, or arthritis may experience relief from symptoms through regular MLD sessions.
Conclusion


Manual lymphatic drainage is a powerful tool in promoting health and well-being. Whether you are recovering from surgery, managing a chronic condition, or simply seeking relaxation, MLD offers a gentle and effective way to support your body’s natural functions.

If you’re interested in experiencing the benefits of manual lymphatic drainage, consider reaching out to George Timby to determine how this technique can best meet your individual needs: https://bit.ly/48shQ6I



Antibiotics vs Gut

General Health & Wellbeing, Therapies Posted by JadwigaPosted on Tue, June 29, 2021 11:08AM

Good health begins with balance in the body.

Friendly Bowel Bacteria
Did you know that there are twenty times more bacteria than living cells inside our bodies?

Having the right kinds of bacteria (often “friendly bacteria”), in appropriate quantities, is essential for virtually everything from healthy digestion and nutrient absorption, to immunity and defence against infections. It’s no wonder that more and more people say that health starts within your gut- it really does!

What can disrupt gut flora?

The delicate balance of healthy gut flora can be disrupted by a range of circumstances, which may include:

  • excess alcohol consumption,
  • diet high in sugar,
  • poor digestion,
  • stress,
  • exposure to toxins and environmental pollutants.
  • antibiotics

For the purposes of this article, we will look in more detail at one of the most common causes of the imbalance of bacterial flora within the gut – the long-term or frequent use of antibiotics.

How do antibiotics affect the digestive tract?

In present times, antibiotics have been arguably prescribed and used far more than they should have been and, a result, antibiotic resistance is, unfortunately, now a fairly common problem.

Antibiotic Resistance
Antibiotic resistance is a type of drug resistance where a pathogenic microorganism is able to survive exposure to an antibiotic.

If that wasn’t enough, one of the most notable effects of antibiotics is their negative impact on the digestive system and the fine balance of gut flora since antibiotics destroy both good and bad bacteria within our bodies, with no differentiation between them.

Antibiotics work by either killing bacteria or by preventing bacteria from growing – which great news in terms of ‘bad’, pathogenic bacteria, but really bad news in terms of our ‘good’ bacteria, which help to keep us healthy!

It is somewhat ironic, when you consider that people start taking antibiotics in the first place because they are ill, often not realising that the medicine is destroying one of their bodies primary lines of natural defence.

The most important part of our Immune System resides in the gut, where Gut Associated Lymphoid Tissue (special antibody-producing cells) works hard to prevent unwanted micro-organisms (such as bacteria or viruses) from entering our body.

I’m not completely dissing antibiotics, they do have a very significant role to play and can certainly be highly effective in resolving bacterial infections but there should be a time and a place for them, when there is no other, less drastic and more natural alternative at hand. It is so important to use antibiotics sensibly and to support your levels of beneficial bacteria both during and after antibiotic treatment, in order to ensure that they won’t cause any longer term damage. This can be done through a specialised rebalancing treatment which can deal with any residual after-effects whilst helping your body to regain the optimal balance.

If your levels of good bacteria fall, you provide opportunistic ‘nasties’ (like bacteria, parasites and yeasts) with an excellent environment in which to thrive and spread. An overgrowth of harmful gut flora (called dysbiosis) increases gut toxicity and can result in a number of unpleasant symptoms and conditions, which may include:

  • bloating
  • constipation
  • diarrhoea
  • abdominal pains after eating
  • wind
  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
  • Leaky Gut Syndrome
  • and Candida overgrowth

This is one of the main reasons why antibiotic programmes often result in thrush (an infection caused by overgrowth of Candida which is an opportunistic yeast).

Digestive Problems after antibiotic treatment
Research has shown that the damage done to the digestive tract by antibiotics can last for far longer than was previously thought.

Stanford University researchers in America analysed the levels of friendly bacteria in 3 healthy adult women both before and after each of two cycles on the antibiotic Cipro. Following the first cycle, they found that the drug had altered the population of the subjects’ friendly gut bacteria significantly, perhaps even permanently. Following the second cycle, six months later, they discovered that the effect was exponentially greater. As such, antibiotics should never be used as a regular “quick fix” for minor problems and, wherever possible, long courses should be avoided. Where a course of antibiotics is really unavoidable, you may consider the Natural Balancing Therapy or support your levels of friendly bacteria through diet and probiotic supplements, at the very least.

Cultures around the World have observed the health-supporting effects of fermented foods (often referred to as “probiotic foods”) which are often include as a regular part of their diet. These foods include kefir, sauerkraut, miso, tofu and tempeh, to name just a few.

Introducing these foods in your diet on a daily basis is a really good way to promote healthy intestinal flora. However, it is worth noting that most of these foods do not contain strains of bacteria that can actually colonise the digestive tract. Instead, they do good work for a week or two and then pass through. Supplementing with strains of good bacteria that are capable of colonising the digestive tract (such as L. acidophilus, L. salivarius, B. infantis, B. bifidum, B. brevis and B. longum) is arguably a far more effective and powerful means of supporting healthy levels of gut flora for the long term.