TICKED OFF: LYME AND LYMPHATIC DRAINAGE

Have you been diagnosed or know someone that is struggling with Lyme Disease? We are entering the start of tick season and Lyme disease is on the rise. Over the past year I have seen an increased number of clients that have been diagnosed. While some of these clients have been newly diagnosed, in many cases they’ve had the disease for much longer (Lyme disease can be easily misdiagnosed). Many of these patients are finding myofascial release and lymphatic drainage therapy helpful for relieving symptoms associated with both the disease and the treatments for it.

Lyme disease is caused by a bacterium carried by deer ticks. Typical symptoms include:

Early Stages
• Skin rash – often a “Bull’s-eye” at bite site
• Flu-like symptoms – Headache, fever, muscle soreness, and fatigue

Later Stages
• Neurological effects – Memory loss and sleep disturbances
• Joint pain – particularly the knees

Untreated, the bacterium can also damage the heart and produce significant neural symptoms.

The most common treatments for Lyme disease are courses of antibiotics, which are most effective shortly after infection. Some clients continue to have symptoms after treatment, which is sometimes referred to as chronic Lyme disease or post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome. Some ticks also carry other co-infective bacteria or parasites, which can complicate treatment protocols.

With my clients, I have seen that lymphatic drainage therapy can be a very useful adjunct to other treatments. We have specifically noted the following benefits:

• detoxification: as the client is going through treatment, the bacteria die off, and drainage therapy helps move the residual debris out of the body
• digestion: heavy antibiotic use can wreak havoc on the digestive system; lymphatic therapy stimulates normal digestive activity
• neurological: lymphatic work encourages balance between the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems
• autoimmune: since the lymphatic system is a key component of the immune system, improving lymph function strengthens and normalizes immune function
• inflammation: by reducing the systemic inflammatory response, lymphatic therapy helps ease joint pain

Sitting in the full spectrum sauna will also help with the detox process.

If you (or someone you know) have been diagnosed with Lyme disease and are struggling with symptoms, consider adding lymphatic therapy to your treatment regimen. It may be just the support your body needs.

Do you have additional questions or need more information? Call 717-254-7250 and we can schedule a consultation.