A
reflex is a response to a stimulus.
Nerve cells called “receptors” are
organs designed to receive various kinds of stimulus.
For
example there are receptors that respond to light, chemical substances,
heat, and mechanical influences.
The receptor converts
the stimulus it is designed to receive into an electrical signal and
transmits it to a nerve cell. The nerve cells then
transfer the signal via axons to
the reflex centers. From this switching
point the signals are relayed to the respective target organs.
For example, when
you prick your finger with a needle, the target organs are those muscles
that pull your finger away. Many
reflexes are accompanied by feelings.
The
reflexes that are of particular interest to us are the fight or flight
reflexes as well as those that induce
pleasure and pain.
When
MLD is properly employed
pleasure reflexes are elicited.
These are accompanied by pleasant sensations and feelings of well
being. They lower the basic activity of the muscles and thus exert a
relaxing affect.
Touch
receptors transmit stimuli which
are elicited by the sensations produced by
MLD or stroking. The precise
execution of MLD is
characterized by light, continually changing pressure, which activates
or inhibits those cells whose function is to decrease or even eliminate
sensations of pain.
More important to
Fibromyalgia and CFS sufferers is MLD’s drainage effect which can also
alleviate pain, but has a deeper and longer lasting effect on the
chronic lymphostasis experienced by sufferers.
As explained in part 1
the lymphatics have become swollen and congested as a result of the pre
CFS/Fibromyalgia infective illness. The affected regions have become
painful due to swelling and also substances in the connective tissue
which stimulate “nociceptors”, also known as pain receptors.
All these factors are
positively affected by MLD.
Immunological
effects
The
immune system.
Using
the MLD methodology tailored specifically for Fibromyalgia and
CFS we aim to treat all lymph nodes that are accessible to our hands.
Thus, we are able to directly, manually treat some of the most
important organs of the body’s immune system.
The
human immune system is
directed not only against infectious pathogens, i.e. their virulence,
but also against substances that are foreign to the species, such as
proteins.
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Only those pathogens
[bacteria and viruses] that possess virulence, antigenity, or
both will trigger the defense mechanisms of the immune system.
In
addition, the immune system is responsible for getting rid of body
tissue that no longer has a function, as this represents a disturbing
influence in the protein individuality of the organism.
The immune system
constitutes a vital protective system of the body. Immunity is
understood to be the protection we have against a second attack of
infectious disease.
Therefore
a person contracts measles only once in a lifetime because the body is
immune after the disease has abated.
Immunity against measles however does not protect us against other
infectious diseases. This property of immunity is known as specificity.
Two
mechanisms are responsible for immunity.
Proteins [globulins] also known as antibodies are mediators of
humoral immunity. Secondly
there are cells such as lymphocytes,
plasma cells, phagocytes, and
macrophages that
can render detrimental
substances harmless. This is known as cellular immunity.
There
are numerous interactions
between the humoral and cellular immune systems.
Antibodies which form
primarily in the lymph nodes have learned to react against very specific
invaders. One thing is certain; Lymphostasis, a blockage of the lymph as
presented by all true Fibromyalgia and CFS sufferers can prevent
immunoglobulins [antibodies] from reaching the sites where they are
needed.
The
immunological benefit of MLD
resides in the fact that pathogenic substances present in body fluids
are transported rapidly by manual manipulation to the lymph nodes,
where they are deactivated.
Generally speaking
successful defense against infection by microorganisms depends on the
degree of resistance and the presence of immunity.
Resistance is
understood to be the entire defense complex that the body can mobilize
against the antigens of the pathogen before the immunological response
is initiated.
Resistance is not
antigen specific. It is determined
by genetic and environmental factors such as nutrition, exhaustion and
in our case disease specifically the conditions Fibromyalgia and CFS.
This
resistance can be strengthened by regular MLD as we can influence
immunological events via the treatment of mucous membranes with MLD
yielding good results by maintaining and improving the habitat of
immunoglobulin antibodies.
The
effect on the smooth muscles
of the blood vessels and lymph angions
Lymph
vessels are constructed differently from blood vessels.
It was not until 1956 that spontaneous rhythmical contractions of
the lymph vessels in man were formally recognized by the medical
profession.
Lymph
vessels could be said to resemble a small heart in construction.
The lymph vessels are built up of individual valve segments called lymph
angions, which should be interpreted as anatomical and functional units.
Each of these segments
has a one way valve that determines the direction of lymph flow and
simultaneously prevents backflow.
The spiral and ring
shaped smooth muscles of the segments contract in response to various
stimuli and press the contents of the lymph vessels,
the lymph, in the specific direction in which the valves open.
It
has been concluded that stimulation of various nerves leads to
contraction of the lymph vessels,
either actively or reactively. Mechanoreceptors have
also been found in the lymph vessel wall.
It can therefore be seen that lymph volume in the peripheral lymph wall
determines the pulsation rate and thus the transport rate of the lymph.
Other factors are
stimuli produced by:
These stimuli are
known as auxiliary
pumps which work on vessel walls from the outside.
Apart from these, the
lymph angion also has
the possibility to self contract between three and seven times per
minute.
The
unique manipulations of MLD
stimulate the lymphatics motor system:
Physiologic lymph
drainage is based on autonomic pulsation of the lymph angion or chain of
lymph angions. The pulsation is created by repeating, sequential, rhythmic dilations
and contractions of a group of lymph segments. The dilation/
contraction frequency
of the segments is synchronized.
The resulting pulsation is a sequential peristalsis.
As
has been discussed in previous articles, the autonomic response
displayed in relation to immune function by Fibromyalgia and CFS
sufferers is considerably compromised.
This
dysfunction directly affects the autonomic pulsations of the lymph
angions leading to disabling lymphostasis and in the worst cases toxic
shock, where sufferers literally cannot get out of bed.
MLD exerts a decisive
influence on this system of drainage
and reverses the detrimental effects of lymphostasis.
Movement of the skin
during Manual Lymph Drainage creates a lengthwise and diagonal
stretching of the lymph vessels and so leads to increased pulsation and
contractions.
Drainage
effect
When
we speak of drainage in
connection with MLD, we are referring to the removal of fluid from soft
connective tissue. We aim to transport
water and substances from loose connective tissue via the lymph vessel system. These substances are
referred to as the lymph-obligatory load.
Some water will also
be removed by the blood vessel system, a side effect which may require
advice regarding replacement and should be noted by all professionals
practicing MLD.
Connective
tissue:
Structure
and characteristics
When
we consider connective tissue in relation to MLD we are referring to
loose connective tissue that
binds the cells together to form tissue groups.
These tissue groups join to form organs, and finally the organs form an
organism.
Loose connective
tissue is made of several substances.
MLD,
the massage form adapted to this type of tissue,
helps to normalize the function and composition of connective tissue
which has been compromised.
By using specialized MLD methodology, fluid and solutes in
the connective tissue can be displaced in any desired direction.
Connective
tissue is composed of
70% water, it
is movable, and varies in its viscosity.
If
we apply appropriate distortion forces
to the connective tissue in terms of pressure and skin movement with the
lights vibrations of MLD, then we can free connective tissue of
substances which have been affecting it and exacerbating your
Fibromyalgia and CFS symptoms.
The connective tissue
is purified by small molecular substances and water being reabsorbed
into the bloodstream.
By stimulating the
lympangion motoricity, large molecular
substances which include waste metabolites and the whole
lymph-obligatory load with associated toxins can be removed from the
connective tissue thereby relieving the chronic muscular pain of Fibromyalgia trigger
points.
The
lymph-obligatory load includes all substances in the connective tissue,
which because of their molecular size can only be transported through the lymph system, such as protein
cells, water and fat loads that may include glass, mineral, coal dust
and chemicals, as well as bacteria.
The reduction in
experience of pain reduces associated stress hormone production which in
turn reduces experience of chronic fatigue.
Mark J. Shaw (B.A, M.Sc, PGD)
