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Deep Lymphatic Stagnation

By Jodi Cohen

Medical illustration of a human torso displaying internal organs and the lymphatic system. The heart, lungs, liver, and intestines are shown, along with the network of lymph nodes and vessels in green. The figure is transparent, focusing on the anatomy inside.

Your lymph nodes are small, oval or kidney-shaped structures that filter and drain waste out of your lymphatic fluid as part of your immune system.  

In addition to over 600 superficial lymph nodes located just under your skin throughout your body (concentrated primarily in your neck, armpits, and groin), you have a network of deep lymphatic vessels that carry lymph from your internal organs.

Your deep lymph nodes play an important function in helping to filter and drain waste to avoid the build-up of lymph fluid. For example, deep cervical lymph nodes filter all the lymph from the head and neck – either directly or indirectly via the superficial lymph nodes. 

In contrast to superficial lymphatic vessels, your deep lymphatic vessels are organized into a vertical chain, located within close proximity to arteries – like the internal jugular vein within the carotid sheath – which lean onto the walls of the deep lymphatic vessels, putting pressure on to support the flow of the lymphatic fluid.

Deep lymphatic stagnation can cause lymph fluid to back up, impeding superficial lymphatic drainage from your head, scalp, face, arms, and legs.

Your lymph vessels connect all your lymph nodes and draw up a clear fluid called lymph from around your cells. Your deep lymph vessels are located deep within your body and help to drain lymph fluid from the superficial lymph nodes. Each node filters the fluid from the vessels that lead into it. 

Deep lymph nodes are located in your belly and chest and drain the lymph from around your lungs and your digestive organs. Deep lymph nodes are also called:

  • Mesenteric: These are lymph nodes in your mesentery, the membrane that connects your bowel to the tissue wall around your belly.
  • Retroperitoneal: These are lymph nodes around your kidneys and the major blood vessels that connect your lower body to your heart.
  • Mediastinal: These are lymph nodes around your trachea (windpipe), esophagus, heart, lungs, and the large blood vessels that lead to your heart. 
  • Cervical: The deep lymphatic vessels of the head and neck converge to form the left and right jugular lymphatic trunks:
    • Left jugular lymphatic trunk – combines with the thoracic duct at the root of the neck. This empties into the venous system via the left subclavian vein.
    • Right jugular lymphatic trunk – forms the right lymphatic duct at the root of the neck. This empties into the venous system via the right subclavian vein.

Deep lymph is intertwined with your fascia as your lymph relies on movement from your muscles and fascia to squeeze the lymphatic vessels and push the lymph through the system like a low-pressure hose.

When the fascia is healthy, hydrated, and unrestricted, the lymph can move more easily through it toward the neck for removal. However, if the fascia is bound and restricted, this can create roadblocks in deep lymph drainage. When fascia is restricted, lymphatic drainage slows down.

The pressure of blocked lymphatic vessels can manifest in a variety of ways. Here are some signs of deep lymphatic stagnation:

  • Bloating
  • Swelling in fingers or rings fitting more tightly
  • Indents in skin
  • Brain fog
  • Digestive issues
  • Parasites
  • Depression
  • Sinus infections
  • Skin problems/dry and or itchy skin
  • Swollen joints (Knees, elbows, ankles, wrists)

Stagnant fluid flow can contribute to inflammation which blocks blood flow and nerve conduction, contributing to pain symptoms.

EMFs: Body fluids are conductors of electricity and electrical frequencies like EMFs can interfere with the electrical signals of your lymph, contributing to lymph congestion. Certain EMFs inhibit immune cells, part of the lymphatic fluid, and what makes up the mass of the lymphoid tissue like the ones you can feel in your neck. When these lose their capacity to detox and filter lymph fluid, stagnation occurs and symptoms follow. Lymph relies on frequency and when frequency is modified or intensified, it can congest deep lymph. 

Fascial Constrictions:  Deep lymph is intertwined with your fascia. Facial adhesions and constrictions obstruct the healthy flow of lymphatics. When the fascia is healthy, hydrated, flexible, supple, and unrestricted, your tissues can move freely and help the lymph move more easily through the lymphatic vessels towards the neck for removal. 

Scar Tissue: Scars or scar tissue can create barriers that are difficult for lymph to cross. More specifically, scars can interfere with lymphatic drainage pathways, literally blocking fluid from draining toward your lymph nodes, which can congest deep lymphatic tissue.  

Essential oils can help open and enhance fluid flow (including the circulation of blood and lymph) and nerve signaling which support tissue regeneration.

Stress: In response to stress, your body releases the stress-fighting hormone cortisol. Cortisol’s acidic nature can cause a breakdown of lymphoid tissue and impede lymphatic flow. 

My friend Dr. Stephanie Canestraro of The Vagus Nerve Clinic was kind enough to share some videos on how to manually massage your fascia more to release deep lymphatics and move deep lymphatic stagnation – click here for more information.

Dr. Canestraro combines castor oil with the essential oil blends in the vagus nerve kit to help break up adhesions in the muscles and fascia that may be constricting lymphatic flow. Castor oil absorbs deep into the tissue and the herbs contained in the vagus nerve kit blends can be very helpful for the lymphatic system.

Fascia Release™  helps support lymph drainage by helping to stimulate the lymphatic system, release adhesions and fascial restriction, increase circulation, and decrease swelling in the tissue. By supporting the fluid dynamics of the fascial system, this blend may help ease a congested lymphatic system and decrease swelling.

As you know, fascia lies just below the skin, so topically applying essential oils onto the skin allows for easy and immediate access to the fascia. The skin is your largest organ and is relatively permeable to fat-soluble substances like essential oils.

Topical supplements play an important role in supporting fascia health and recovery from inflammation. For example, essential oils easily penetrate layers of restricted fascia, creating warmth to break up congestion, increasing circulation, lymphatic drainage, and mobilizing adhered tissue.

Essential oils soften the myofascial tissue, allowing the deep and constrained tissue to stretch and move as it is designed to function. They also have an analgesic effect, relaxing the muscles and reducing pain.

Essential oils can be used to revitalize and de-stress the fascia and muscles, working quickly to break down inflamed, fibrous tissue, and remove toxins from the painful area.

Essential oils help with collagen production by reducing free-radical damage. The antioxidant properties of essential oils may also promote collagen growth by both reducing free radicals and increasing collagen cell growth and formation.

Essential oils with detoxing properties help reduce inflammation that may weaken collagen fibers.

The essential oils in the Fascia Release™ blend are uniquely formulated to unravel deeply held tensions, constrictions, and energetic blockages in your tissues to reduce pain, improve blood and lymphatic circulation, and release fear, repressed emotions, and tension held in the body (organs, muscles, tendons, bones, and joints) or the mind.

Your vagus nerve starts at the base of the brain and travels down the neck on both sides of the body in close proximity to lymph nodes located in the neck and head which drain into the deep cervical lymph nodes. More specifically, there are lymph nodes located near the vagus nerve on the mastoid bone, known as post-auricular lymph nodes which collect lymph from the posterior neck, upper ear, and the back of the external auditory meatus (the ear canal). Topically applying the Parasympathetic® blend on the vagal nerve behind the ear or on the neck can help clear congestion for optimal drainage from the brain.

The oils in Lymph™ may help fluid move through the vessels and reduce swelling. Your lymphatic system works in concert with your fascia alongside your vagus nerve. If there is congestion in the lymphatic system in the neck or downstream in the body, it will impact the fascia and vagus nerve. If you think of the body like a hydraulic system where congested tissue downstream prevents optimal flow upstream, congested lymphatic vessels in the neck will impede drainage of toxins from the brain.

Unfortunately, the lymphatic system doesn’t have a pump, and lymphatic fluid can accumulate and stagnate (learn more about the Lymphatic System here). This stagnation can be due to an overload of acidity, animal protein, gluten, infection, toxins, or adhesions of the connective tissue, such as scars. To enhance lymphatic flow and drainage, generously apply Lymph™ around the sides of the neck to relieve congestion, improve drainage, and reduce brain inflammation.

Circulation™ Your lymphatic system flows along the veins of the neck. Your circulatory system also controls blood flow into and out of the brain. Slow or blocked blood flow through the veins or arteries can impede the ability of toxins to drain.

If veins and arteries are narrow, lax, scarred, or malformed, or the blood cells are too large, effective blood flow is restricted, which creates pressure and prevents toxins from draining from the brain. 

Circulation™ blend, in combination with manual movement of blood and lymph in the extremities, may help increase fluid circulation, reduce swelling, and promote lymph angiogenesis, or the creation of new lymphatic vessels to increase flow capacity. 

Essential oils, like Circulation™, can help improve circulation by relaxing the blood vessels and improving the health of the blood vessels. This helps more blood circulate through them, improving circulation in the process. Essential oils can also be used to help the veins contract, stimulating blood flow.

Apply 2- 3 drops of Circulation™ on the sides or back of the neck, over the left clavicle, to help support circulation. When blood circulation to the brain becomes sluggish, it can impact your physical and mental abilities, including your ability to focus and concentrate. Poor circulation in the brain can also contribute to fatigue, vertigo, dizziness, memory loss, and frequent and unexplained headaches.

Circulation™ works especially well in combination with Lymph™ to help flush out toxins and reduce inflammation of the blood vessels, which further improves blood flow throughout the body. 

READ MORE ABOUT: Circulation

Jodi Cohen

Jodi Sternoff Cohen is the founder of Vibrant Blue Oils. An author, speaker, nutritional therapist, and a leading international authority on essential oils, Jodi has helped over 50,000 individuals support their health with essential oils.