Alternative Wellness Brain-Body-Breathe

08/30/2025

This is why I've been working on my lymphatic system daily and teach my client how to do this also.

A breakthrough discovery from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology has revealed lymphatic vessels lying just beneath the skin of the face and neck. Once thought buried deep in the body, these vessels play a vital role in draining cerebrospinal fluid, which clears toxic proteins linked to Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.

In mice, scientists used a gentle device that stroked the face and neck, tripling cerebrospinal fluid flow within a minute. Remarkably, this restored older animals’ brain fluid movement to youthful levels, a change that could have major implications for slowing age-related neurodegeneration and cognitive decline.

Early experiments in monkeys show similar promise, raising hope that simple, non-invasive stimulation could one day support human brain health. By enhancing natural drainage pathways, this method might become a powerful new tool for preventing neurological diseases. Source: Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology Research.

05/14/2025

I see slot on lymphatic issues with client. Here's a bit more in-depth look at the tongue and lymph.

“The Tongue & The Lymph: A Hidden Connection You Didn’t Know Existed”
By Bianca Botha, CLT, RLD, MLDT

(This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider before making changes to your health regimen.)

When we think of the tongue, we often associate it with taste, speech, and swallowing. But did you know that your tongue also plays a surprising role in your lymphatic health?

The tongue and surrounding oral tissues are intricately connected to the head and neck lymphatic system—and understanding this connection gives us powerful insight into how oral posture, movement, and even inflammation can impact lymphatic drainage, immune function, and detoxification.
👅💧🌿

Lymphatic Flow in the Head and Neck

The lymphatic system of the head and neck is responsible for draining fluid, toxins, and cellular waste from:
• The scalp and face
• Oral cavity (including the tongue, gums, and tonsils)
• Pharynx and larynx
• Eyes and nasal sinuses

Lymph from these areas drains into the submental, submandibular, and deep cervical lymph nodes, before moving down toward the thoracic duct or right lymphatic duct and returning to the bloodstream.

The tongue, being rich in blood vessels and lymphatic capillaries, acts as an active muscular pump that helps stimulate lymphatic flow in the mouth and throat.

Key Ways the Tongue Supports the Lymphatic System

1. Muscular Movement Promotes Lymph Drainage

The tongue is made of intrinsic and extrinsic muscles that contract constantly during talking, chewing, swallowing, and breathing.
This rhythmic movement acts like a natural lymph pump, encouraging drainage from surrounding tissues into the lymphatic vessels.
Think of it as a mini lymphatic massage from within!

2. Proper Tongue Posture Enhances Drainage

When the tongue rests on the roof of the mouth (correct oral posture), it gently lifts and supports the roof of the mouth, indirectly affecting the palatal and pharyngeal lymph drainage zones.
Poor posture (like a low, floppy tongue) can contribute to fluid stagnation, post-nasal drip, and even sinus congestion.

3. The Tongue’s Immune Role

The tongue is surrounded by lymphoid tissue, including:
• Lingual tonsils (at the back of the tongue)
• Palatine tonsils (at the sides of the throat)
• Pharyngeal tonsils (adenoids)

These are part of Waldeyer’s ring, the body’s first line of defense against inhaled or ingested pathogens.
They trap bacteria and viruses, which are then processed and cleared via the lymphatic system.
If lymph flow is sluggish, these tissues can become chronically inflamed or enlarged.

Clinical Signs of Poor Lymphatic Flow in the Tongue Region
• Swollen glands under the jaw or ears
• Puffy face or neck
• Chronic sinus congestion or post-nasal drip
• Enlarged or inflamed tonsils
• Tongue scalloping or coating
• Mouth breathing and low oral tone
• Feeling “clogged” in the throat
🫁👄🧠

How to Support Lymphatic Health Through the Tongue
1. Tongue exercises & myofunctional therapy
Strengthens muscles and improves oral posture
2. Manual lymphatic drainage (MLD)
Especially focused on head, neck, and submandibular regions
3. Tongue scraping & oral hygiene
Reduces bacterial load, supporting local immunity
4. Nasal breathing & proper tongue posture
Encourage the tongue to rest against the palate
5. Hydration
Keeps lymph fluid moving and mucous membranes moist
6. Chewing real food
Activates muscles and encourages flow (avoid soft-only diets)

Fascinating Facts 🧠✨
• The tongue contains over 8 muscles that never tire!
• Lymphatic drainage of the tongue helps reduce oral inflammation and bacterial burden
• Myofunctional tongue exercises are being used in sleep apnea and lymphatic congestion protocols
• The lymph-rich tonsils around the tongue trap over 600,000 pathogens a day!

Final Thought

Your tongue may be small, but it plays a mighty role in your health—far beyond taste and talking. By caring for this dynamic muscle and supporting its lymphatic function, you’re also caring for your immune system, drainage pathways, and full-body wellness.

So the next time you breathe deeply, chew mindfully, or rest your tongue on the roof of your mouth—remember, you’re helping your lymph flow too.
👅💚✨

©️

10/02/2024

https://youtu.be/ckpBNavN3ZE?si=tO0Y2066SNOk5z6x

Some quality breathing techniques using sounds and holding organs.

Breathing techniques I used to help heal from the death of my dog Bella. Helped my anger, heartache, grief and sorrow. Hopefully it helps you. Chapters:00:00...

11/11/2023

Found this post very helpful with a client I treated this week. It had been a struggle to get their ribcage to move with breath. Balanced out the sternal and diaphragm ligaments and after ten minutes, the breathing relaxed and the ribcage started to move in and upwards fashion. This helped with a right shoulder issue that was not resolving with conventional treatment.

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1171453523190766&id=565761267093331&mibextid=Nif5oz

08/30/2023

Was looking at a mid back issue with a client this morning till they spilled the beans and mentioned a nasty concussion 3 day prior to mid back hurting.
Had to turn the florescent lights on in my office to find the hidden neuro gems that arose and then had to clear those patterns to get the client out of pain. So I wore sunglasses and eyeplugs for my own protection. ( yep, those overheads make a buzzing)
The other pictures are taken in a 10 second time frame. That is the crazy movement of the overhead lights we are constantly exposed too.

07/28/2022

This is one of the main reasons I start off with breath work during a season. The numbers I put forth are the seconds each breath for inhale/exhale. It's helpful to get to a 1 to 2 inhale/exhale ratio.

06/23/2022

Took a free hour long webinar on Tuesday that I felt was a complete bust. Didn't show any techniques, just the general concept.
That being said, had a client struggling with their golf game. After going bodywork for over 35 years, I can put 2 and 2 together. Worked on a somatic compenant tied to their knee. They were heading out later that day for league play.
Here's the text.....

07/22/2021

I've played with the overhead light before, but never during an entire session. Seeing the movement pattern with a low grade buzzing noise could send the nervous system spiraling out of control, especially if you've been concussed.

07/01/2021

Currently working on a knee replacement client. They are way ahead of schedule but want to improve that much more. There are range of movement assessments but the big one was getting the knee flat to the ground. That is hard to calibrate with less than 10 degrees to go. So what's a therapist to do?

I just used my hand to go under the knee and where it couldn't move anymore, I marked it. The picture to the left shows the improvement after completing some specific scar tissue work (brown to red) The picture on the right shows(purple mark) after doing some lymphatic work not only addressing the knee but clearing the lodes for drainage.

06/17/2021

Just another day at the office putting my body thru the rigors of what my client is feeling. Slipped of the deck of lawn tractor wearing flip flops😡👹 The knee , which I have been working on previously, was more towards their face. I was able to determine that working the upper torso and some cranials was the top priority. The knee will have to wait til next session.

06/10/2021

Quick demo on head and eye position while walking.