If you have surgery to remove some of your lymph nodes or had radiation treatment to your head or neck, you may develop swelling called lymphoedema. Swelling in the head and neck area happens because some of the lymph nodes of been removed or changed by treatment and no longer drain like they did before your surgery or radiation. The lymph system helps to get rid of waste products from your cells and helps your body fight infection.
Here are a few things you can do to help move fluid from the areas of the head and neck swelling. These exercises should be done each day.
Clasp your hands together in front with elbows straight. Raise your arms above your head
Lift your shoulders towards your ears and breathe in and out to the count of five
Rotate your shoulders in circles, first in a forward adirectionnd then backwards
Place your hands on your shoulders. Lift your elbows out to the sides and then down again
Lift your arms out to the side and up over your head
Arms bent, push your shoulder blades together behind you
Tighten your buttocks, hold for 5 seconds and release.
Bend and stretch your feet at the ankles.
Circle your ankles clockwise and anti-clockwise
Curl up your toes, then straighten them
Lie on your back and pull each knee to your chest
Lie on your tummy and bend up eahh leg from the knee
Take deep breaths so it feels you are filling your lungs and release slowly.
Roll your shoulders forward in a circle and then backwards.
Move your right ear towards your shoulder, hold and release
Bend your neck down and look at your toes. Hold 5 seconds
Lift your arms out to the side and up over your head
Arms bent, push your shoulder blades together behind you
Skin brushing is commonly practiced in Scandinavia and can be done in as little as 10 minutes per day. We know that the skin is the largest organ in the body, and that it is responsible for one quarter of the body's detoxification each day, therefore making it one of the most important elimination organs.
The skin is also referred to as the third kidney (the lungs are known as the second kidney). Toxicity can gather beneath the skin surface from improper pH levels in the body soaps, skin creams and anti-perspirants, and synthetic fibers worn on the body. All of these contribute to a variety of skin problems and conditions.
Dry skin brushing help stimulate circulation in the skin and the lymph system. This helps the skin the look and feel healthier. It should be done daily as a home treatment. It should also be done as a pre-treatment in your therapist's rooms.
There are many BENEFITS to Dry Brushing:
Dry brushing leaves your skin exfoliated and more readily able to exclude toxins through sweat, absorb the nutrients you apply with lotions and oils, and helps your lymph flow to keep your body healthy, and it takes less than five minutes.
Ayurvedic texts recommend daily skin brushing to keep the urinary system working properly, Properly conditioned skin will have less breakouts and other undesirable skin conditions like cellulite.
First of all, remember that your body is smart. It knows what to do. You just have to listen to it like a two-year-old child does. The two-year-old eats or does not eat when the body tells them. They can sleep anywhere when their body tells them they are tired.
So, let's stop and get to know our bodies.
You can use a body brush if that is what you choose, but you mustn't use the brush on your breast tissue or face.
That skin is too tender. Also the brush holds dead skin cells and we really don't want to think of that bacteria going back on your body.
So use a simple cotton washcloth.
You start with a dry cloth and dry skin.
Beginning of of the top of the foot and going towards the heart on each leg, front and back. Then your belly and then your hands and arms.
Just bring everything towards the heart area.
When you are done, you can turn on the water in the shower and rinse off the cloth, soap it up and do it all again on your wet body.
As you towel dry, do it up towards the heart. Now you're done. Easy, simple, and your body will feel alive.