By Victoria Goldsten, HD, Phd, LPN, LMT
Director: Washington Institute of Natural Medicine
It can be confusing when referring to edema, swelling, inflammation, fluid retention, and lymph edema, due to these health complaints being similar in nature and overlapping in symptomatology. Due to the similarity and differences we will define the terms and then discuss treatment options.
Edema: a condition characterized by an excess of watery fluid collecting in the cavities or tissues of the body. It is also known as water retention or fluid retention.
Swelling: an abnormal enlargement of a part of the body, typically as a result of an accumulation of fluid.
Inflammation: a localized physical condition in which part of the body becomes swollen. I can be reddened, hot, and painful. It can be due to injury, post surgical reaction, or infection. It is the body’s attempt at self-protection; the aim being to remove harmful stimuli, including damaged cells, irritants, or pathogens – and begin the healing process.
Lymphedema: an accumulation of lymphatic protein rich body fluid when the lymphatic system for fluid transport is damaged. It typically is in one part of the body. For example, in breast cancer it can appear in the arm on the same side as the cancer, after lymph nodes are removed from the armpit region for cancer staging.
Fluid Accumulation: This is where body fluids accumulate in tissue sites, either being disbursed within the soft tissues, or it can form as pockets of liquid like substances. When forming as pockets of liquid, it is water like, and can be drained. When distributed within the soft tissues, it encompasses the soft tissue cells, and is not able to be drained.
Examples of Inflammatory Diseases and Conditions: Arthritis, Sinusitis, Gastritis, Asthma, Bronchitis, Tonsillitis, Ulcerative Colitis, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Lupus, Psoriasis, Crohn’s Disease, and COPD.
Treatment of Inflammatory conditions: Anti-inflammatory and Anti-Microbial Drugs, Wrapping of Extremities, Incision and Drainage by an MD, Soaking of Extremities in Epson Salts, Anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial Homeopathics and Herbs, Elevation of Extremities, Physical Therapy, Application of Ice, Lymphatic Drainage Manual Therapy Massage, Glymphatic Drainage, Therapeutic Ultrasound, and Organ Flushing.
What is the Lymphatic System? The lymph system is a network of organs, spleen, thymus, lymph nodes, lymph ducts, and lymph vessels. It removes fluid, waste, unwanted materials, and toxins from the interstitial spaces of the body’s tissues. This fluid is formed as a byproduct of cellular metabolism. The lymph system filters the fluid and moves it through nodes and lymph vesicles. It creates lymph fluid which contains infection-fighting white blood cells and moves it throughout the body. It moves fluid from tissues to the bloodstream. The lymph system is a major part of the body’s immune system.
Treatment with Homeopathics and Herbal Remedies: When natural remedies are requested a client will set up a natural health care evaluation to determine the appropriate natural treatment plan.
Below you will find further details regarding these methods.
Natural Health Evaluation
When a natural health care assessment is completed through a natural health care evaluation, the practitioner uses a variety of skills that help the practitioner understand what organ systems need support and healing. This is a holistic approach including emotional, physical, nutritional, and detoxification care.
The natural wellness evaluation is a comprehensive study of the human body using observation skills from the Orient and Europe. It is a preventative approach focusing on organ system efficiency and cleansing. Its goal is to heal the internal workings of the human body, rather than just treating symptoms. By improving the condition of the organs and tissues, symptoms will begin to dissipate, and as a result the body becomes stronger.
The natural health evaluation looks for imbalances prior to and during a disease state. These imbalances point the practitioner in the proper direction for healing the areas of concern. It also helps with disease prevention. These methods augment conventional medical care. It is not a medical diagnosis. For a medical diagnosis see your Physician or our Nurse Practitioner.
The components of a natural health evaluation provided at the Washington Institute are: Client History, Hara Study, Iridology, Pulse Reading, Visual/Face Observation, Kinesiology, Bio-Energy Field Testing, Remedy Testing/Selection, Homeopathic, Herbal, Aromatherapy, or Supplement Recommendations. Assessments vary slightly by practitioner.
After the completion of the Natural Health Care Evaluation the practitioner will recommend physical methods and oral product such as herbs and homeopathics for the underlying conditions and root cause.
There are many homeopathic sublingual liquid remedies that can be taken orally for inflammation, pain and healing, as well as a topical ointments and sprays that can be used very effectively.
Lymphatic Drainage Manual Therapy Massage (MLD)
Lymphatic drainage manual therapy is a specialized body work technique that is provided by advanced trained licensed and certified health care practitioners. This therapy applies repetitive pressure at lymph node sites and a gentle stroking technique along lymph vessels that stimulates the movement of lymph fluid. This therapy assists with post surgical swelling, edema, lymphedema, and inflammation due to numerous heath complaints such as sinusitis, arthritis, gastritis, back pain, neck pain and more.
MLD can be an adjunct to the natural health care evaluation and conventional medical treatment. It improves the function of the lymphatic system by stimulating the removal of stagnant body fluids. It also stimulates the immune system and reduces inflammation in the head region, thereby allowing the brain to function more efficiently. MLD’s detoxifying, immune-balancing, and relaxing effects can help cleanse the body, and reduces inflammation in soft tissues and joints. It treats arthritis, and conditions with inflammatory components and pain.
Lymphatic Drainage with Ultrasound
Using a combination of lymphatic drainage techniques along with ultrasound, over the area of inflammation, in order to reduce swelling, pain, and discomfort can be very effective. This reduces inflammation, and promotes circulation. Ultrasound is used when the practitioner feels an intensification or treatment is necessary.
Glymphatic Drainage of Head
This is a method that uses a combination of lymphatic drainage techniques, cranial sacral therapy techniques, and Chinese and /or Ayurvedic pressure points in the head and neck region, in order to reduce swelling, brain fog, facial and head pain, sinus congestion, inflammation around the brain, and flushes the Glymphatic System the brain. This Head Drainage therapy with Cranial Sacral Holds, reduces inflammation in the head, promotes circulation, and assists with cerebral spinal fluid movement to the brain, as a result helps reduce pain and inflammation in the head face and neck, resulting in the release of brain fog and feeling more comfortable.
Glymphatic Drainage of Head with Ultrasound of Sinuses
Using a combination of lymphatic drainage techniques, cranial sacral techniques, Chinese and or Ayurvedic pressure points, along with ultrasound over the sinuses, in order to reduce swelling, brain fog, facial and head pain, and decrease congestion in the sinus. This Head Drainage Therapy with Cranial Sacral Holds and ultrasound reduces inflammation in the head, promote circulation, and assist with cerebral spinal fluid movement to the brain, as a result helps reduce pain and inflammation in the head, face and neck. Ultrasound is used when the practitioner feels an intensification or treatment is necessary.
Organ Flushing Detox Therapy
Organ flushing is a light to moderate touch therapy, applied over the abdomen, which helps remove toxins and stagnant fluid from the organ systems in the abdomen, joints, and soft tissues, thereby reducing inflammation and pain.
Treatment with the Washington Institute of Natural Medicine:
If you are interested in Natural Services or Natural Health Care Classes please contact the Washington Institute of Natural Medicine.
Call for details or for an appointment. The Institute has in person and remote sessions and classes.
(202) 686-8202, (202) 237-7681, or (301) 538-9540
The Washington Institute offers therapies at it’s many offices in the DC metro area including Washington D.C., Maryland, and Virginia.
Further information can be seen on the Washington Institute’s Web site: www.NaturalHealthDC.com
Or contact us at: winmoffice@gmail.com, naturalhealthDC.com, (202) 686-8202
Thank you