Lymph Drainage Therapy (LDT) is an original hands-on method of lymphatic drainage developed by Bruno Chikly, MD, of France. Created out of his award-winning research on the lymphatic system, LDT takes traditional lymph drainage techniques and adds a level of precision consistent with recent scientific discoveries.

This technique is taught following specific anatomy, function, and a distinctive manual processes. LDT enables practitioners to detect the specific rhythm, direction, depth and quality of the lymph flow anywhere in the body. More advanced therapists are trained in Manual Lymphatic Mapping (MLM) of the vessels to assess overall circulation and determine the best alternate pathways for draining body-fluid stagnations.

Therapists work with flat hands, using all the fingers to simulate gentle, specific wave-like movements. These subtle manual maneuvers activate lymph and interstitial fluid circulation as well as stimulate the functioning of the immune and parasympathetic nervous systems.

Some excellent reasons to try manual lymphatic drainage include:

* Regeneration of tissue, including burns, wounds and wrinkles

* Anti-aging effects

* Relief of numerous chronic and subacute inflammations, including sinusitis, bronchitis and otitis

* Relief of chronic pain

* Reduction in the symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia

* Antispastic actions to relieve conditions such as muscle hypertonus and some forms of constipation

* Deep relaxation to aid insomnia, stress, loss of vitality and loss of memory

* Alleviation of adiposis and cellulite tissue

At Healing In Motion, we will be adding Manual Lymphatic Drainage through the skilled hands of Carol Swaney and Tom Schneller. They are both independent contractors who will be seeing patients here in the clinic. Sandy Hilton has begun the series for MLD, completing Lymphatic Drainage Level 1 in early March.

Life is not all serious! Consider the following for your overall health and well-being.

Researchers from the American Association for the Advancement of Science report that a special type of cocoa may boost brain function and delay decline as people age. The studies suggest that flavanols found in cocoa increase blood flow to the brain and may hold promise for treating vascular impairments.

Ian Macdonald, professor at Britain’s University of Nottingham Medical School, conducted a small brain imaging study on young, healthy women using CocoaVia, liquid cocoa, by Mars Inc. to see whether the flavinol-rich cocoa helped boost cognitive function during challenging mental tasks.

Although the beverage did not improve their performance on the tests, it did increase blood flow to their brains for a 2 to 3 hour period, says Macdonald.

He believes that more research might show that increased blood flow could benefit older adults and those who have cognitive impairments, such as fatigue or even mini-strokes.

Another study conducted in the U.S. which included healthy adults over 50 also found a marked rise in blood flow. The study was conducted by Harvard Medical School researcher Norman Hollenberg, MD, who has studied the effects of cocoa and flavanols on Panama’s Kuna Indian population.

According to Hollenberg, while promising, the brain benefit of cocoa needs to be verified. “The only way we can prove something is working, is in a large clinical trial,” he says.

**The researchers caution against rushing out to binge on the special Mars line of chocolate until more studies are conducted. This might be a good time to do some independent research of your own.