Dr. Nele Devoogdt, Lymphatic Health Therapist
The lymphatic network of vessels and organs labors away, cleaning up after your biological systems. Thick, recycled body fluid called lymph collects bacteria, viruses and waste, filtering them as it moves through the lymph nodes. There, specialized cells called lymphocytes attack any harmful organisms.
When your lymphatic system becomes sluggish, unhealthy or fails, you become vulnerable to a wide variety of illnesses and health problems, ranging from impaired immune responses and infections even to cancer. Another common complaint is lymphedema, which is when arms or legs become swollen with lymph fluid that can’t drain properly.
The energizing effects of a bellicon® workout help to flush toxins, bacteria and other waste from your body, and really get your lymphatic system in gear. You’ll be left feeling vital and cleansed from the inside out.
Dr. Liebell about rebounding on the bellicon and the lympatic system
We have twice as much lymph as blood – but no heart to pump it around. Instead, the lymphatic system depends on physical movement, gravity and muscular contraction. Thousands of years ago, the demands of hunting animals and foraging for food kept our ancestors active and their lymphatic systems healthy. Not so today. Now, we sit in cars, in front of computers and TV screens – and our lymph fluid sits, too.
Guyton and Hall’s Textbook of Medical Physiology drives the point home: “The lymphatic pump becomes very active during exercise, often increasing lymph flow 10 to 30 fold. Conversely, during periods of rest, lymph flow is sluggish, almost zero.”
Clearly, our bodies were made to be exercised. Without physical activity, we become vulnerable to illness and disease. Just a few minutes a day on a bellicon® will keep your juices – lymphatic and otherwise – flowing.
Detoxing is the current health cure de jour. But in reality, your body does an excellent job of this on its own – it just needs you to play your part. That means making a habit of eating healthily as well as regularly getting moderate-intensity exercise and enough sleep. You’ll notice the difference in your physical health, well-being and immunity.
The exercise part of the equation is easily solved with a bellicon® mini trampoline. Rebounding gently and efficiently conditions not only your cardiovascular, muscular and skeletal systems but also your lymphatic and immune systems. The result is a body healthy enough to rid itself of toxins.
Unfortunately, the belief that you’re pouring out impurities in a sweat room is an old wives’ tale. Only about one percent of the toxins purged from your body leave via the skin as perspiration. In fact, excessive sweating can interfere with the cleansing process by robbing the body of too much fluid.
So save yourself the costs and side effects of pills and potions, and detox in nature’s tried-and-trusted way – with a bellicon® workout.
Water may be life – but you don’t want it to stagnate. This is what happens in lymphoedema. Fluids are retained, causing arms or legs to swell. While lymphoedema is inherited, it often occurs as a result of surgery, blockages in the lymph nodes or an inhibited lymphatic system. Bouncing on a bellicon® can be wonderfully beneficial if you suffer from lymphoedema. The gentle exercise helps pump trapped fluid back into the lymphatic and circulatory systems, reducing swelling and pressure. As an added bonus, you’ll be getting an excellent cardiovascular workout. Keeping fit and maintaining a healthy weight is important for lymphoedema sufferers. Studies have shown that these are factors in controlling the symptoms of lymphoedema and reducing the number of flare-ups. In fact, rebounding can even lower your risk of developing the condition in the first place.
Remember, there’s no need to go overboard when exercising. You won’t enjoy it and you’re not doing your body any favours. Regular, moderate-intensity workouts are all you need to stay healthy and fit. And if you suffer from lymphoedema, it’s even more important to start by taking it easy. Begin with very gentle health bouncing on your bellicon®, letting gravity and our highly elastic bungees do the work for you. Build up your routines gradually, stopping if you experience pain or the swelling increases. It might also be necessary to wear compression garments or bandages while exercising.
If you suffer from lymphoedema, we advise you to ask your doctor before starting a new exercise programme. Considering that the causes, severity and treatment of lymphoedema can vary greatly from person to person, it’s best to find out what routine will benefit you most without aggravating your condition. Another important consideration is the use of compression garments while exercising. A knowledgeable professional should also be able to guide you in this regard.
