In Touch Massage, LLC

02/26/2026

✨ Friday Openings Available! ✨

I have massage therapy and Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) sessions available this Friday! If you’ve been needing some relaxation, pain relief, or lymphatic support, now is the perfect time to get on the schedule.

Spots are limited, so don’t wait!

📞 Call or text 573-745-9033
💬 Send a direct message
💻 Or book online

Treat yourself — your body will thank you! 💆‍♀️💚

02/25/2026

💧 What Is Lymph Really?

Let’s talk about it properly.

We hear it all the time…

“I need to detox my lymph.”
“My lymph is blocked.”
“I have swollen lymph nodes.”

But what is lymph actually? 🤔

It’s not just fluid.
It’s not just swelling.
And it’s definitely not a wellness trend.

Your lymphatic system is one of the most intelligent, protective, and under-appreciated systems in your body.

Let’s break it down in a way that finally makes sense 👇

💧 So… What Is Lymph?

Lymph is a clear to slightly milky fluid that circulates through your lymphatic system.

It starts as interstitial fluid — the fluid that surrounds every single cell in your body.

Here’s how it works:

1️⃣ Your heart pumps blood out through arteries.
2️⃣ Fluid leaks out of tiny capillaries to nourish tissues.
3️⃣ Most of that fluid returns to the bloodstream.
4️⃣ The remaining fluid becomes lymph — and must be collected and drained.

If that drainage slows down?

• Fluid stagnates
• Inflammation lingers
• Swelling develops
• Healing slows

Your lymphatic system is your body’s drainage network 💧

🩸 Blood vs 💧 Lymph — Not the Same Thing

This is where many people get confused.

🩸 Blood:
• Pumped by the heart
• Closed-loop system
• High pressure
• Delivers oxygen & nutrients

💧 Lymph:
• No pump
• One-directional drainage system
• Low pressure
• Collects waste & immune debris

Blood delivers.
Lymph cleans up.

If cleanup slows down… inflammation stays behind.

🌿 What Is Inside Lymph?

Lymph is not “dirty water.”

It carries:

• White blood cells (especially lymphocytes) 🛡️
• Proteins
• Fats from digestion
• Cellular debris
• Bacteria & viruses
• Inflammatory byproducts

It is literally your immune surveillance fluid.

Your body uses lymph to:

✔️ Detect threats
✔️ Neutralize pathogens
✔️ Clear metabolic waste
✔️ Regulate inflammation

This system is not optional.
It is central to survival.

🫀 The Organs Involved in the Lymphatic System

Let’s talk anatomy properly 👩‍⚕️

🟢 Primary Lymphoid Organs

These produce and train immune cells:

• Bone marrow – produces lymphocytes
• Thymus – trains T-cells (especially active in childhood)

The thymus sits behind your breastbone and plays a critical role in immune development 🧬

🟢 Secondary Lymphoid Organs

These are filtering and activation centers:

• Lymph nodes
• Spleen
• Tonsils & adenoids
• Peyer’s patches in the gut

You have 600–700 lymph nodes throughout your body.

Major clusters are in the:

• Neck
• Underarms
• Groin
• Abdomen
• Chest

Inside these nodes, immune cells scan for threats and coordinate responses.

Swollen nodes?
Often that’s immune activity doing its job.

🌿 The Gut & Lymph (Very Important)

Nearly 70% of your immune system is associated with the gut.

The gut contains:

• GALT (Gut-Associated Lymphoid Tissue)
• Peyer’s patches
• Lacteals (fat-absorbing lymph vessels)

This is why gut inflammation directly affects lymph function.

Gut health = lymph health.

🧬 The Liver & Lymph Connection

This is where things get interesting.

Your liver processes toxins.
Your lymph transports them.

The lymph is not the detox organ — it is the transport highway to the detox organs.

If:

• The liver is overloaded
• The gut is inflamed
• The lymph is stagnant

Detoxification slows down.

This is why liver health and lymph flow are deeply connected.

🧠 The Glymphatic System (Your Brain Has Lymph Too)

Your brain has a lymph-like drainage system called the glymphatic system.

It:

• Clears metabolic waste
• Is most active during deep sleep 😴
• Depends on healthy cerebrospinal fluid movement

Poor sleep = poor brain drainage.

Brain fog, headaches, neuro-inflammation?
Lymph matters there too.

🌬️ How Lymph Moves

Here’s the most important thing to understand:

The lymphatic system has no pump.

Movement depends on:

• Diaphragmatic breathing 🌬️
• Muscle contractions 🚶‍♀️
• Walking
• Gentle pressure changes
• Fascia mobility
• Hydration 💧

If you are:

• Sedentary
• Chronically stressed
• Inflamed
• Scarred
• Dehydrated

Your lymph can slow down.

😮‍💨 Stress & Lymph Flow

When you live in fight-or-flight:

• Breathing becomes shallow
• Muscles tighten
• Fascia stiffens
• Diaphragm movement decreases

And lymph slows.

Safety restores flow.
Calm restores drainage.

Your body moves lymph best when it feels safe 💚

🌿 What Happens When Lymph Becomes Congested?

You may notice:

• Puffy face
• Swollen underarms
• Fluid retention
• Brain fog
• Recurring infections
• Slow healing
• Hormonal congestion
• Skin flare-ups
• Heat intolerance

Not because your body is broken.

But because your drainage system needs support.

❌ Myth vs Truth

❌ Myth: Lymph stores toxins.
✅ Truth: Lymph transports waste — organs eliminate it.

❌ Myth: Lemon water “flushes” lymph.
✅ Truth: Movement and breathing move lymph.

❌ Myth: Swollen lymph nodes always mean something dangerous.
✅ Truth: Often it’s immune activity doing its job.

💚 Clinical Insight

In practice, lymph congestion often shows up as:

• Neck tightness
• Puffy underarms
• Summer swelling
• Hormonal sensitivity
• Fluid that worsens in heat
• Tender nodes during stress

When we support lymph gently — not aggressively — the body responds beautifully.

Because lymph is not force-driven.
It is rhythm-driven.

✨ Why Understanding Lymph Changes Everything

When you understand lymph:

You stop fighting your body.
You stop over-detoxing.
You stop forcing.

You start supporting:

• Gentle movement
• Deep breathing
• Anti-inflammatory nutrition
• Proper sleep
• Fascia care
• Liver support
• Hydration

Your lymph is your body’s quiet protector.
Your internal river.
Your immune intelligence.
Your inflammation regulator.

When lymph flows…
Healing feels lighter 💧✨

⚠️ 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.

02/25/2026

How often should you get a massage? 💆‍♀️✨

It really depends on your goals! For general wellness and stress relief, one massage per month is a great maintenance routine. If you’re dealing with chronic pain, recovering from an injury, or under high stress, weekly or bi-weekly sessions may be more beneficial at first.

Think of massage therapy as part of your self-care plan — consistency brings the best results. Your body will tell you what it needs, and we can always customize a schedule that works best for you!

02/25/2026

How often you should receive Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) depends on your body and your goals 💆‍♀️✨

For general wellness and detox support, once a month is a great maintenance routine to keep your lymphatic system flowing smoothly.

If you’re recovering from surgery, dealing with swelling, inflammation, sinus congestion, or chronic conditions, you may benefit from 1–2 sessions per week for a short period of time until symptoms improve.

For those focusing on immune support or reducing puffiness and water retention, every 2–4 weeks can make a noticeable difference.

As always, consistency matters — your lymphatic system loves gentle, regular support! 💛

02/25/2026

✨ Last Minute Openings Available! ✨

I have a few last minute openings for tomorrow, Wednesday, February 25th for both Massage and Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) sessions!

If you’ve been needing to relax, reset, or give your lymphatic system some extra support, now’s the perfect time to book. 💆‍♀️

Message me to grab your spot before they’re gone!

02/23/2026

✨ Openings Available Tomorrow! ✨

I have massage therapy and manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) sessions available tomorrow, Tuesday the 24th, with both morning and afternoon appointments open!

Whether you’re needing deep relaxation, pain relief, or gentle lymphatic support, this is the perfect time to get on the schedule. 💆‍♀️✨

Message me to book your spot before they’re gone!

02/21/2026

HaloTherapy & Your Lymphatic System 🌿

HaloTherapy (dry salt therapy) can gently support your lymphatic system by encouraging detoxification and healthy circulation. When you relax in a salt-infused environment like the HaloSauna, the microscopic salt particles may help reduce inflammation, open airways, and promote deep, cleansing breaths. Deep breathing naturally stimulates lymph flow, helping your body move waste and excess fluid more efficiently.

Pairing HaloTherapy with massage or Manual Lymphatic Drainage can further enhance that natural detox process—leaving you feeling lighter, clearer, and refreshed from the inside out. 💧✨

02/19/2026

🌿 WHY DO I ITCH LIKE CRAZY ON THE VIBRATION PLATE?

Good Morning Beautiful Lymphies 🩷✨

You step onto the vibration plate…

And within seconds…

⚡ Your thighs start itching
⚡ Your calves feel prickly
⚡ Your legs burn
⚡ You want to scratch like CRAZY

And you think:

“Is this an allergy?”
“Is something wrong with my blood?”
“Why does this only happen to me?”

Let’s break this down properly — scientifically and gently.

🩸 1️⃣ Sudden Blood Flow Surge

A vibration plate causes:

• Rapid muscle contractions
• Increased circulation
• Capillary dilation
• Mechanical stimulation of tissue

If an area hasn’t had strong circulation for a while, that sudden rush of oxygenated blood activates nerve endings.

That prickly itch?

It’s often microcirculation waking up.

It’s similar to when frozen hands warm up too quickly — the sensation is intense.

🌿 2️⃣ Lymphatic Mobilisation

Vibration stimulates:

• The muscle pump
• Interstitial fluid movement
• Fascial glide
• Lymphatic flow

If lymph has been stagnant, that movement can trigger:

• Temporary histamine release
• Nerve sensitivity
• Mild inflammatory signalling

Histamine = itch sensation.

This does NOT automatically mean allergy.
It often means mobilisation.

🧠 3️⃣ The Fascia Connection (This Is Important)

Fascia is full of mechanoreceptors — tiny sensory nerves that detect movement and pressure.

If fascia is:

• Tight
• Dehydrated
• Restricted
• Sedentary

When vibration stimulates it, those receptors can fire strongly.

Sometimes the itch isn’t the skin.

It’s the fascia waking up.

Flow can feel intense before it feels normal.

❄️ 4️⃣ Why It’s Worse in Winter

In colder months:

• Blood vessels constrict
• Circulation slows
• Skin is drier
• Fascia tightens

When you suddenly stimulate circulation in cold tissue, the contrast is stronger.

More contrast = more nerve activation = more itching.

This is common.

It is not dangerous.

🌸 5️⃣ Hormones & Histamine (Especially For Women)

Estrogen influences:

• Capillary stability
• Fluid retention
• Mast cell activity
• Histamine release

If you are:

• Perimenopausal
• PMS’ing
• Estrogen dominant
• Under high stress

Your histamine response may already be heightened.

Vibration can amplify that temporarily.

This is why some women itch more at certain times of their cycle.

🔥 6️⃣ Sluggish Baseline Circulation

Women who:

• Sit for long hours
• Have cold feet
• Experience heavy legs
• Have mild insulin resistance
• Are under chronic stress

Often itch more.

Why?

Because their baseline circulation is slower.

The vibration plate is exposing that.

When circulation improves over time, the itch usually decreases.

🧪 A Simple Test

If:

• The itch peaks
• Fades within 5–15 minutes
• Reduces after 1–2 weeks of consistent use

That usually means improved circulation and tissue adaptation.

Many Lymphies report the itch almost disappears after consistent use.

That’s progress.

🚨 When To Be Cautious

Seek medical advice if you experience:

• Hives
• Spreading rash
• Severe dizziness
• Persistent itching long after stopping
• Known severe mast cell disorders

That is different from normal stimulation itch.

🌿 How To Reduce The Itch

Try this:

🫁 5 minutes deep breathing before stepping on
🚶‍♀️ Gentle walking warm-up first
💧 Hydrate well beforehand
🥗 Reduce high-histamine foods on heavy vibration days
🧴 Moisturise dry skin
⏱ Start with shorter intervals

Consistency is more powerful than intensity.

✨ The Bigger Truth

Sometimes the itch is not your enemy.

It’s your circulation waking up.

Your lymph moving.

Your fascia responding.

Your nervous system adapting.

Your body saying:

“Oh… we’re flowing again.”

And flow can feel unfamiliar before it feels comfortable.

🌿 Gentle Reminder

Healing is not always silent.

Sometimes it tingles.
Sometimes it prickles.
Sometimes it feels strange before it feels strong.

Your body is incredibly intelligent.

And when we understand it, we stop fearing it.

02/18/2026

If you’ve been feeling swollen, inflamed, sluggish, or just not quite yourself, a Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) massage may be exactly what your body needs. 💧✨ This gentle, rhythmic technique helps move excess fluid, reduce puffiness, support detoxification, and encourage a healthy immune response. It’s especially beneficial after surgery, during times of high stress, or when dealing with sinus congestion and inflammation.

Booking an MLD session is a simple, relaxing way to support your body’s natural healing process while leaving you feeling lighter, refreshed, and deeply relaxed. Your lymphatic system works hard for you—give it the boost it deserves!

02/15/2026

✨ Massage & MLD Openings This Tuesday! ✨

I have a few openings available this Tuesday for both Massage Therapy and Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) sessions! Whether you’re needing deep relaxation, muscle relief, or gentle lymphatic support to reduce swelling and boost circulation, this is a perfect time to get on the schedule.

Spots are limited — message me, call/text, or book online to reserve your session! 💆‍♀️💚
573-745-9033

02/14/2026

Add the perfect glow to your next massage session ✨

Enhance your relaxation by adding a Red Light Therapy Mask to your treatment! While you unwind on the table, the gentle red light works to support collagen production, improve skin tone, reduce the appearance of fine lines, and calm inflammation. It’s completely non-invasive, soothing, and the ultimate self-care upgrade.

Relax your muscles and rejuvenate your skin — all in one session. Ask about adding red light therapy to your next appointment!

02/14/2026