The lymphatic system is a network of tissues and organs that help rid the Healthy Body of toxins, waste and other unwanted materials. Each cell and tissue in the Healthy Body are bathed in a fluid medium. This interstitial fluid is where cells dispose of metabolic waste and toxins. Tiny lymph vessels take up this waste-laden fluid in order to deliver it back to the circulatory system. On route, the lymph fluid is filtered through many lymph nodes and cleansed of all metabolic waste.
Without a functioning lymphatic system, the accumulation of waste by-products and other toxins would quickly leave the Healthy Body vulnerable to ill-health and disease. The lymphatic system also contributes to; maintaining blood pressure and blood volume, maintaining correct protein concentrations in the interstitial fluids, enabling the diffusion of nutrients from red blood cells and circulating nutrients, lipids and lipid soluble vitamins.
One of the founding principles of osteopathy is that this ‘great river of life’ must be kept in functional order, flow and abundance for the vitality of health to be maintained. Dr. Still, the founder of Osteopathy, taught that fluid exchange is essential to global health. As he stated; unless this ‘river of life’ is tended and maintained the ‘harvest of health’ will be lost forever.
