Warminster Osteopathic Clinic Glossary

Warminster
Osteopathic
Clinic

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Warminster Osteopathic Clinic, 4 Station Road, Warminster, Wiltshire BA12 9BR Tel 01985 213927

The lymphatic system

The lymphatic system comprises of a network of vessels and nodes. The smaller vessels join together to form larger ones and these in turn join to form larger vessels still, like a river system and its tributaries. Eventually a single, large vessel from each side of the body empties back into the main circulation near the base of the neck.

The body's cells are surrounded by interstitial fluid. This originates from the arterial blood, bringing vital nutrients and oxygen. The cells absorb and use the nutrients and oxygen, and produce waste products, which pass out into the fluid. There needs to be a constant renewal of this fluid, so that fresh nutrients arrive and waste products are cleared from the cells. Allowing these toxic waste products to build up can be harmful.

One of the vital functions of the lymphatic system is to collect this toxic interstitial fluid and drain it back into the main circulation.

Lymphoedema

Damage to the lymphatic system can result in the lymph vessels being unable to remove sufficient interstitial fluid. If left untreated, the fluid builds up which causes swelling. This is known as lymphoedema. The most common causes of lymphoedema are through injury, infection or following surgery, such as mastectomy. Lymphoedema may also occur due to a poorly developed lymphatic system (Primary Lymphoedema), and be present from a young age.

Qualifications - Abbreviations

AAPA Aromatherapy and allied practitioner's association

ABCH Atkinson Ball College of Hypnotherapy

BHA British Hypnotherapy Association

BMAc British Medical Acupuncture Society

ABT Association of Bodymind Therapists

IIVMT International Institute of Vitamin and Mineral Therapists

IRMT International Register of Manipulative Therapists

AMP Association of Massage Practitioners

ANLP Association for NLP

AOR Association of Reflexologists

AOSM Academy of On-Site Massage