Healing Points by Denise

02/08/2026

02/07/2026

Schedule your lymphatic drainage treatment and help your body start healing
Call or text to book your appointment 806-789-0200

🌿 What Type of Lymph Do You Have?

This is a question I hear more and more lately — and I love it, because it tells me people are starting to listen to their bodies instead of fighting them.

Let me say this gently and clearly from the start 💚
There is no such thing as a “bad” lymphatic system.

But there are different lymph patterns, shaped by:
• stress
• trauma
• inflammation
• hormones
• lifestyle
• and what your body has had to survive

This is not a diagnosis.
This is not a label.
This is simply a way to understand how your lymph system is currently responding.

Most people are a combination, but usually one pattern leads.

Let’s explore them together 🌿

🧠 The Trauma-Influenced Lymph

This lymph system is not weak — it is protective.

You may recognise yourself here if you:
• Feel overwhelmed by pressure or touch
• Feel exhausted after bodywork
• Hold your breath without realising
• Have lived through emotional shock, grief, surgery, or long-term stress

When the nervous system stays in survival mode,
the lymphatic vessels gently constrict.

Not because they are broken —
but because the body does not feel safe yet.

✨ This lymph system needs:
• Safety before stimulation
• Gentle, rhythmic lymph work
• Nervous system regulation
• Consistency rather than intensity

💭 This body doesn’t need pushing. It needs permission to soften.

🔥 The Inflammatory / Congested Lymph

This lymph system is overloaded, not lazy.

You may resonate if you:
• Wake up puffy or stiff
• Live with inflammation or autoimmune conditions
• Experience pain and swelling together
• Feel heavy, full, or “blocked”

Inflammation changes the texture of lymph fluid, making it thicker and slower to move.

✨ This lymph system needs:
• Reduced inflammatory load
• Liver and gut support
• Gentle drainage
• Rest as part of healing

💭 You cannot drain inflammation away if the body is still producing it.

😮‍💨 The Cortisol-Dominant Lymph

This lymph system is stressed, not stubborn.

You may resonate if you:
• Feel wired but tired
• Struggle with sleep
• Hold fluid or weight around the abdomen
• Feel like you’re “doing everything right” but nothing shifts

High cortisol tells the body to hold on — not release.

✨ This lymph system needs:
• Nervous system calming
• Sleep support
• Blood sugar balance
• Short, gentle lymph support

💭 A stressed body does not let go. It protects.

🌱 The Sluggish / Deconditioned Lymph

This lymph system simply hasn’t been supported yet.

You may resonate if you:
• Sit a lot
• Move very little
• Don’t drink enough water
• Feel heavy but not inflamed or highly stressed

The lymphatic system has no pump — it relies on movement, breath, and hydration.

✨ This lymph system needs:
• Hydration
• Walking and gentle movement
• Education before detoxing
• Simple daily habits

💭 This system doesn’t need detox. It needs direction.

🔄 The Over-Driven Lymph (very common)

This lymph system is exhausted.

You may resonate if you:
• Have tried many detoxes
• Push through fatigue
• Over-exercise
• Feel worse after “doing all the right things”

This is not resistance — it is overwhelm.

✨ This lymph system needs:
• A pause
• Support before detox
• Nervous system calming
• Healing in the correct order

💭 Burnout is not blockage. It’s a system that has carried too much.

🌿 Most People Are a Mix

Trauma + cortisol
Inflammation + over-driven
Newbie + sluggish

This is why copy-and-paste protocols fail — and why healing must always be personalised.

🤍 If You’ve Ever Thought…

“I’ve tried everything and nothing worked…”

Please hear this clearly 🌿
Your body is not broken.
It has simply been asking to be understood.

Lymph healing is not about doing more.
It’s about doing what your body can receive.

And when the body feels safe enough —
it knows exactly how to heal.

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 diet, exercise, or health regimen.

02/03/2026

02/02/2026

While working on healing your gut…don’t forget to get help moving your lymphatic system
Getting a massage or lymphatic drainage is a great way to get it moving.

Call or text to set up your appointment this week 806-789-0200

🌿 Why the Gut and Lymph Must Heal Together

The Connection Between Digestion, Immunity & Swelling

Many people focus intensely on healing the gut — and rightly so.
Digestive health plays a central role in immunity, inflammation, and overall wellbeing.

But what is often overlooked is this:

The gut cannot fully heal without a healthy lymphatic system.

The gut and the lymphatic system are not separate pathways.
They work together every moment of the day.

🧠 The Gut Is One of the Most Lymph-Dense Areas in the Body

Approximately 70% of the immune system resides in the gut.
To support this, the digestive tract is surrounded by a rich lymphatic network, including:
• intestinal lymphatic vessels (lacteals)
• mesenteric lymph nodes
• gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT)

This system is responsible for:
• transporting immune cells
• moving dietary fats
• clearing inflammatory byproducts
• maintaining immune balance

When lymphatic flow from the gut is compromised, inflammation does not stay local — it spreads throughout the body.

🧬 What Happens When the Gut Becomes Inflamed

When the gut lining is inflamed or irritated, intestinal permeability increases.

This allows:
• bacterial fragments
• undigested food particles
• inflammatory mediators

to move beyond the gut lining.

These substances must be cleared by the lymphatic system.

If lymph flow is sluggish or overloaded:
• inflammatory debris accumulates
• immune activation becomes chronic
• lymph fluid thickens
• swelling and systemic symptoms develop

This is why gut inflammation often presents alongside:
• fluid retention
• lymphatic congestion
• fatigue
• brain fog
• skin flare-ups

🌿 Why Gut Protocols Sometimes Stall

Many people follow well-designed gut-healing plans:
• elimination diets
• supplements
• probiotics
• antimicrobials

Yet symptoms persist.

This does not mean the protocol is wrong.
It often means the lymphatic system cannot keep up with the increased immune and metabolic load.

Without adequate lymphatic support:
• waste clearance slows
• detox symptoms increase
• inflammation lingers
• the body feels overwhelmed

🔬 The Role of Lacteals (Fat Transport Through Lymph)

Dietary fats are absorbed through specialised lymphatic vessels in the gut called lacteals.

Unlike carbohydrates and proteins:
• fats do not go directly into the bloodstream
• they first travel through lymph
• they pass through lymph nodes before entering circulation

If lymph flow is impaired:
• fat transport slows
• bloating and heaviness increase
• inflammatory signalling intensifies

This is why supporting lymph flow often improves digestion and tolerance to food.

🧠 The Nervous System Connection

Both the gut and the lymphatic system are heavily influenced by the autonomic nervous system.

Chronic stress:
• reduces gut motility
• disrupts immune regulation
• suppresses lymphatic vessel contraction
• limits diaphragmatic movement

This creates a cycle:
gut inflammation → lymph congestion → systemic stress → further gut dysfunction.

Healing requires safety, rhythm, and regulation — not force.

✨ What True Gut Healing Requires

Sustainable gut healing involves:
• reducing inflammatory load
• supporting intestinal barrier repair
• improving lymphatic drainage
• encouraging diaphragmatic breathing
• calming the nervous system

When lymph flow improves:
• immune debris clears
• inflammation settles
• swelling reduces
• digestion becomes more efficient

The body begins to heal as an integrated whole.

🤍 Final Thought

The gut does not heal in isolation.
Neither does the lymphatic system.

When they are supported together,
the body regains its natural flow, resilience, and balance.

⚠️ Medical Disclaimer

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 diet, exercise, or health regimen.

© Copyright

© Lymphatica – Educational Content
All rights reserved. Content may not be reproduced, distributed, or modified without written permission. Brief quotations permitted with full credit to Lymphatica.

01/31/2026

Having issues with allergies…puffiness…stiff joints

Call or text to schedule your appointment for a lymphatic drainage treatment
806-789-0200

🌿 Allergies & The Lymphatic System: The Hidden Connection

Most people think allergies are just a reaction in the nose, lungs, or skin — but at their core, allergies are an immune and lymphatic event. When the body encounters something it sees as a threat — like pollen, food proteins, or animal dander — the immune system triggers a cascade of lymphatic activity, histamine release, and inflammation.

The result? Swollen sinuses, itchy eyes, rashes, fatigue… all signs that your lymphatic system is working overtime.

💧 The Lymphatic System’s Role in Allergies

Your lymphatic system is like a giant internal filter — collecting toxins, allergens, and immune cells from every tissue in your body. Lymph nodes act as mini immune command centers, producing lymphocytes and antibodies to neutralize what doesn’t belong.

But when the lymph flow becomes sluggish or congested, these immune reactions intensify instead of resolving. The “traffic jam” of inflammatory cells and histamines can amplify symptoms, keeping your body stuck in overreaction mode.

Lymphatic congestion = prolonged inflammation = more allergy symptoms.

🌸 Different Types of Allergies & How They Link to Lymphatic Health

1️⃣ Respiratory Allergies (Pollen, Dust, Mold, Animal Dander)
• Triggered when allergens enter the nasal passages or lungs.
• Lymph nodes in the neck, chest, and underarms swell as they filter histamine and immune complexes.
• MLD (Manual Lymphatic Drainage) around the head and neck helps clear congestion, relieve sinus pressure, and support detox of inflammatory mediators.

2️⃣ Food Allergies & Intolerances
• Occur when the immune system reacts to certain food proteins (like gluten, dairy, or peanuts).
• Gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) becomes inflamed, leading to bloating, rashes, and systemic fatigue.
• Supporting intestinal lymph flow improves tolerance, reduces leaky gut, and calms immune overactivation.

3️⃣ Skin Allergies (Eczema, Contact Dermatitis, Psoriasis-like Reactions)
• The skin is an extension of the lymphatic and immune network.
• When lymph flow under the skin stagnates, toxins and histamine remain trapped, worsening irritation.
• Lymph drainage promotes gentle detox, better oxygenation, and faster tissue repair.

4️⃣ Drug or Chemical Allergies
• Often linked to sluggish liver detox pathways and compromised lymphatic clearance.
• MLD assists by accelerating elimination of metabolites and calming inflammatory responses.

5️⃣ Autoimmune-type Allergies
• When the immune system begins reacting to the body’s own tissues, chronic inflammation develops.
• Consistent lymphatic therapy can help regulate immune response and reduce the “over-alert” state of the immune system.

🌿 The Healing Perspective

Allergies are not just about what you’re exposed to — they’re about how efficiently your body clears what doesn’t belong.
When your lymphatic system flows freely, immune messages calm down, inflammation subsides, and your body can restore balance naturally.

That’s why Manual Lymphatic Drainage, hydration, deep breathing, and anti-inflammatory nutrition form a powerful triad for allergy recovery.
Healing happens when the immune system and lymph system speak the same language again — calm, clear, and connected.

Written by:
Bianca Botha, CLT, RLD, MLDT & CDS

Disclaimer:
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 diet, exercise, or health regimen.

01/26/2026

Due to the snow and cold temperatures I will not be available for appointments today.
Hopefully tomorrow we will start thawing out and things can get back to normal again for appointments

01/26/2026

Give Amy a call and set up your appointment

01/25/2026

Make your appointment to get lymphatic drainage

A groundbreaking discovery in brain health has revealed that facial lymphatic vessels play a crucial role in draining toxins from the brain. When massaged, these vessels help clear out waste, which is vital for the prevention of neurological diseases like Alzheimer's. Scientists are excited about the possibility of using this technique as a non-invasive treatment for brain health.

By targeting these facial lymphatic pathways, researchers believe they could slow down the progression of diseases that impact memory and cognition. Early intervention with this method may provide an effective and natural way to protect against diseases that lead to dementia.

This discovery also emphasizes the importance of regular facial massages, not just for relaxation, but for overall brain wellness. It’s a promising avenue for future treatments and something that could change the way we approach neurodegenerative diseases. 💆‍♂️🧠

01/21/2026

Call or text to schedule an appointment for your lymphatic drainage
Help your body detox
806.789.0200

🧠 The Connection Between Itchy Skin and Your Liver 🌿

Do you ever feel like you’re itching for no reason at all—especially at night? 🥴
It may not be dry skin… it might be your liver calling for help! 🧬

💥 What’s the Link?

Your liver is your body’s detox powerhouse 🧽🛡️
It filters toxins, hormones, medications, and byproducts of digestion. But when it’s overloaded or sluggish, something sneaky can happen:

👉 Bile acids and toxins start to build up in your bloodstream instead of being properly filtered out.

👀 And your skin? It notices.
The body uses the skin as a secondary detox organ. That toxic backup can trigger itching, irritation, or even rashes.

🧬 What Liver Conditions Commonly Cause Itching?

🔹 Cholestasis – slowed or blocked bile flow (common in pregnancy and liver diseases)
🔹 Fatty liver – too much fat stored in liver cells
🔹 Hepatitis or liver inflammation
🔹 Cirrhosis or liver scarring
🔹 Liver congestion due to poor drainage, inflammation, or lymphatic stagnation

Often, the itching is worse on hands, feet, or limbs, and may get worse at night when bile levels rise.

🌿 Supportive Steps (always check with a healthcare provider)

✅ Support your lymphatic system (hello, MLD! 🙌)
✅ Eat liver-loving foods: beetroot, artichokes, bitter greens, dandelion
✅ Stay hydrated to help flush toxins
✅ Limit alcohol and processed fats
✅ Consider castor oil packs or gentle herbal liver support (milk thistle, burdock root, etc.)

✨ Final Thought

The skin and liver are deeply connected.
If you’re itching and you can’t quite explain why—your lymph and liver might just be whispering (or yelling!) for attention. 💚

🔬 Research & Resources
1. Carey EJ, Lindor KD. “Pruritus in cholestasis.” Clin Liver Dis. 2013.
2. Kremer AE et al. “Pathogenesis and Management of Pruritus in Liver Diseases.” J Hepatol. 2011.
3. Kim DJ et al. “Itch and the Liver.” Clin Mol Hepatol. 2021.

©️

01/01/2026

Start the year off with getting a lymphatic treatment

🌿 Why Swelling Doesn’t Start in the Legs

Understanding the real origin of fluid retention, puffiness & heaviness

By Bianca Botha, CLT | RLD | MLDT | CDS

Most people notice swelling in the legs, ankles, or feet — and naturally assume that’s where the problem begins.

But physiologically…
swelling is rarely a leg problem.
It is usually the end result of congestion that started much higher up in the body.

Let’s gently unpack the science 🤍

🧠 1. The Lymphatic System Drains From Top to Bottom

Your lymphatic system is a one-way, low-pressure drainage network.
It does not have a pump like the heart.

🔬 Lymph fluid must first pass through:
• The neck and collarbone region (where lymph drains back into the bloodstream)
• The thoracic duct
• The diaphragm
• The abdominal and pelvic lymphatics

👉 If flow is restricted anywhere above, fluid cannot move downstream efficiently.

The legs are simply where gravity reveals the backlog.

🫁 2. Shallow Breathing = Poor Lymph Flow

Your diaphragm is one of the most important lymph pumps in the body.

When breathing is shallow (stress, anxiety, chronic pain, trauma):
• Thoracic duct movement is reduced
• Abdominal lymph stagnates
• Pressure builds downward into the pelvis and legs

🫧 Result: leg swelling — even if the legs themselves are healthy.

🧠 3. Nervous System Overload Slows Drainage

Chronic stress, grief, trauma, and sympathetic dominance (“fight or flight”) cause:
• Tight neck & shoulder fascia
• Compression of cervical lymph vessels
• Reduced lymph propulsion

🧬 Studies show that autonomic nervous system imbalance directly reduces lymphatic contractility.

This is why swelling often worsens during:
• Emotional stress
• Burnout
• Poor sleep
• Hormonal imbalance

🦠 4. Gut & Liver Inflammation Create a Lymphatic Traffic Jam

Over 70% of your lymph fluid originates in the gut.

When there is:
• Gut inflammation
• Dysbiosis
• Constipation
• Liver overload

👉 Lymph becomes thicker, slower, and congested in the abdomen.

The body compensates by pushing fluid downward — again, showing up in the legs.

🦵 5. Why the Legs Are the “Overflow Zone”

The legs:
• Are farthest from the main drainage points
• Work against gravity
• Depend heavily on muscle contraction for lymph movement

So when the upper drainage routes are blocked, the legs become the visible storage site for excess fluid.

❗ Treating legs alone without opening central pathways often leads to:
• Temporary relief only
• Rebound swelling
• Frustration and confusion

🌿 What Truly Supports Swelling Reduction

✨ Effective lymphatic support always starts upstream:
• Neck & clavicle lymph clearance
• Diaphragmatic breathing
• Nervous system regulation
• Gut & liver support
• Gentle, correctly directed manual lymphatic drainage

This is why a whole-body, system-based approach is essential.

💚 A Gentle Reminder

Swelling is not your body “failing.”
It is your body communicating that flow is restricted somewhere deeper.

When we listen with understanding — healing becomes possible.

⚠️ Disclaimer

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 diet, exercise, or health regimen.