Tracy LMT, CMLDT Advanced Massage

Tracy LMT, CMLDT Advanced Massage Specializing in Post Surgery, Lymphatic Drainage, and Chronic Pain

02/07/2026

🌈 Vibration Plates & the Lymphatic System

Why the STAGE you use matters more than the plate itself

Vibration plates have become incredibly popular β€” and for good reason.
When used correctly, they can support circulation, muscle activation, and lymphatic flow.

But when used incorrectly or too aggressively, they can overwhelm the nervous system, increase inflammation, and actually slow lymphatic drainage.

πŸ’‘ The key is not if you use a vibration plate β€”
it’s HOW and WHEN you use it.

🌿 Understanding the Lymphatic System First

Your lymphatic system is:
β€’ Slow
β€’ Pressure-sensitive
β€’ Rhythm-dependent
β€’ Closely linked to the nervous system

It does not respond well to force, intensity, or β€œno pain, no gain” approaches.

That’s why vibration plate use must happen in stages.

🟒 STAGE 1 β€” ACTIVATE & CALM

This is where lymph healing begins

This stage focuses on gentle stimulation and nervous system safety.

βœ” Low frequency
βœ” Short sessions
βœ” Soft knees
βœ” Calm breathing
βœ” Upright or seated posture

What’s happening in the body:

β€’ Gentle opening of superficial lymph vessels
β€’ Improved fluid movement without muscle strain
β€’ Reduced stagnation
β€’ Activation of the parasympathetic (calming) nervous system

🎯 Goal:
Teach the body that it is safe to move fluid again.

This stage is essential for:
β€’ Inflammation
β€’ Autoimmune conditions
β€’ High cortisol
β€’ Fatigue & burnout
β€’ Trauma-sensitive bodies

Skipping this stage is one of the most common mistakes.

🟑 STAGE 2 β€” SUPPORT & CIRCULATE

When muscles assist lymph flow

Once the body tolerates Stage 1 well, we can gently progress.

βœ” Moderate frequency
βœ” Light muscle engagement
βœ” Controlled breathing
βœ” Short, intentional sessions

What’s happening in the body:

β€’ Muscle contractions assist lymph propulsion
β€’ Improved venous return
β€’ Better oxygen and nutrient delivery
β€’ Increased circulation without overload

🎯 Goal:
Support lymph movement with the muscles β€” not against the body.

This stage is supportive, not aggressive.

πŸ”΄ STAGE 3 β€” POWER & PERFORMANCE

Not a lymph-healing stage

This stage is often misunderstood.

βœ” Higher frequency
βœ” Short bursts
βœ” Strength-focused positioning

What’s happening in the body:

β€’ Strong neuromuscular activation
β€’ Increased cortisol and adrenaline
β€’ High mechanical load

🎯 Goal:
Performance and strength β€” not lymph healing

🚨 For inflamed, stressed, or autoimmune bodies, this stage can:
β€’ Increase swelling
β€’ Trigger flares
β€’ Overstimulate the nervous system
β€’ Stall lymphatic drainage

This stage is not appropriate for everyone.

🚫 Common Vibration Plate Mistakes

❌ Starting at high intensity because it β€œfeels effective”
❌ Using it daily while inflamed
❌ Locking knees
❌ Holding breath
❌ Using it as a detox shortcut

πŸ‘‰ The lymphatic system responds best to:
Gentle β†’ Consistent β†’ Progressive

⚠️ Important: When Vibration Plates May Be Contraindicated

While vibration plates can be helpful, they are not suitable for everyone, especially without guidance.

They may be contraindicated or require professional supervision in people with:
β€’ Acute infections or fever
β€’ Active cancer or recent cancer treatment
β€’ Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
β€’ Severe cardiovascular conditions
β€’ Recent surgery
β€’ Pregnancy (especially first trimester)
β€’ Severe vertigo or balance disorders
β€’ Unstable spinal or joint conditions

πŸ’¬ If your body feels:
β€’ Dizzy
β€’ Wired
β€’ Shaky
β€’ More inflamed
β€’ Exhausted after use

➑️ That is information β€” not failure.
It usually means the intensity or stage is too high.

🌿 Final Lymph Wisdom

Vibration plates are tools, not solutions on their own.

Used with respect for the nervous system and lymphatic rhythm, they can be supportive.
Used out of sequence, they can do the opposite.

πŸ’š Start gentle
πŸ’š Build slowly
πŸ’š Listen to the body

Your lymph doesn’t need force.
It needs permission to flow.

This year has been exceptional. I would like to extend my gratitude to all my clients for placing their trust in me as t...
12/24/2025

This year has been exceptional. I would like to extend my gratitude to all my clients for placing their trust in me as their therapist. Recently, I had to cease accepting new clients due to a fully booked schedule and high demand. In the future, this may change due to the natural fluctuations of business. Wishing everyone a wonderful Christmas and Happy New Year!

08/03/2025
As a veteran massage therapist with over 15 years of experience, I am troubled by the current state of our field. While ...
07/12/2025

As a veteran massage therapist with over 15 years of experience, I am troubled by the current state of our field. While completing my CEUs to maintain licensure, I have observed a disturbing trend: the decline of hands-on, live instruction. When I posed this concern on a Facebook group for massage therapists, I was met with the suggestion that online courses can fulfill all CEU requirements. However, I strongly disagree. As practitioners who rely on tactile skills, we require hands-on training to master our craft. The abundance of online videos showcasing improper massage techniques and inaccurate muscle targeting is alarming. Additionally, some therapists seem to prioritize visually stunning movements over clinically effective methods, apparently to generate social media buzz. To therapists at all stages of their careers, I stress that your hands are capable of profound healing, your touch is transformative, and your presence is essential for delivering compassionate care and advancing your professional development.

07/07/2025

🌿 Rheumatoid Arthritis & the Lymphatic System: A Vital Connection

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.

🀲 What Is Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune condition where the immune system mistakenly attacks the synovial joints, leading to inflammation, pain, stiffness, and over time, joint damage and deformity.

What many don’t realize is how closely the lymphatic system is tied to the development, persistence, and severity of RA.

🌐 The Lymphatic System: Immune Highway & Drainage Network

The lymphatic system plays a central role in immune regulation and inflammation. It includes:
β€’ Lymph nodes – filtering immune signals
β€’ Lymphatic vessels – draining interstitial fluid
β€’ Immune cells – coordinating responses to antigens

When RA flares, this system becomes both activated and overwhelmed.

πŸ” Key Connections Between RA & the Lymphatic System

1. Early Lymph Node Involvement
β€’ In early RA, enlarged lymph nodes near inflamed joints are often present.
β€’ These nodes process the immune signals that trigger the autoimmune attack.
β€’ Studies in RA models show that lymph node activity predicts disease flares.

2. Impaired Lymphatic Drainage
β€’ Inflammation in the joints produces excess fluid and immune cells.
β€’ The lymphatic system attempts to drain this, but becomes congested.
β€’ This contributes to swelling, pain, and lymph node tenderness.

3. Lymphatic Dysfunction in Chronic RA
β€’ Over time, chronic inflammation damages the structure and function of lymphatic vessels.
β€’ Lymph flow slows or stagnates, further intensifying immune responses.
β€’ This feedback loop perpetuates the autoimmune attack.

⚠️ The Vicious Cycle
1. Autoimmunity triggers synovial inflammation.
2. Inflammation floods the tissues with cytokines and immune cells.
3. Lymphatic vessels struggle to keep up.
4. Lymph node congestion and vessel damage follow.
5. Inflammation worsens β†’ immune confusion continues.

πŸ› οΈ Supporting Lymphatic Function in RA

βœ… 1. Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD)

Gentle massage can:
β€’ Ease swelling and pain
β€’ Improve lymphatic circulation
β€’ Support detoxification of inflamed tissues

βœ… 2. Movement & Low-Impact Exercise
β€’ Joint-friendly activities like walking, rebounding, and stretching promote natural lymph flow.

βœ… 3. Medications That Reduce Lymphatic Stress
β€’ Anti-TNF therapies like infliximab or etanercept reduce inflammatory cytokines.
β€’ JAK inhibitors help regulate immune signaling, indirectly supporting lymphatic recovery.

βœ… 4. Emerging Therapies
β€’ Experimental use of VEGF-C (a lymphatic growth factor) in animal models has shown promise in restoring lymphatic flow and reducing arthritis severity.

🧠 Final Thought

Rheumatoid arthritis is not just a joint diseaseβ€”it’s a whole-body immune dysregulation with deep lymphatic involvement.

When the lymphatic system is impaired, inflammation lingers, joints swell, and healing slows. By supporting lymphatic health, we can improve both symptoms and quality of life for those living with RA.

πŸ“š Research References
1. www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2019.00519/full
2. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6475908/
3. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4397133/
4. www.arthritis-research.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13075-021-02438-6
5. www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2019.00308/full
6. www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmed.2021.820232/full
7. www.arthritis-research.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13075-016-1092-0
8. www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0049017205800319
9. www.health.com/lymphatic-drainage-massage-7253615
10. www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TNF_inhibitor
11. www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Janus_kinase_inhibitor

©️

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Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
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