The 5 Hidden Systems of the Body You’ve Been Ignoring (But Shouldn’t) #1: The Lymphatic System – Your Body’s Silent River

Orie Quinn
Jun 6
1 min read

Years ago, I had a patient—a mom of three—who came in because she felt “puffy.” Her face looked tired even after 10 hours of sleep, her legs felt heavy, and no matter how clean she ate, her body just didn’t feel right. No labs showed anything out of the ordinary. But her lymphatic system? It was barely moving. Once we started working on that flow—everything else changed. Her energy. Her face. Even her mind felt clearer.

Anatomy & Physiology

Think of the lymphatic system as your body’s drainage network. It’s a one-way flow system made up of lymph nodes, lymphatic vessels, the spleen, thymus, and tonsils. Its job? Transport immune cells, remove waste, and regulate fluid levels. Unlike the blood, it has no central pump—movement relies on muscle contraction and breath.

Signs of Dysfunction

Puffiness or swelling (especially in the face, under eyes, or extremities)
Frequent infections
Brain fog and sluggish energy
Poor wound healing

How It’s Tested

Manual lymphatic palpation by a skilled practitioner
Infrared thermography
Bioimpedance scans
Functional evaluation via Applied Kinesiology

Three At-Home Ways to Improve It

Rebounder or gentle bouncing: Even 2 minutes a day gets lymph flowing.
Dry brushing: Always stroke toward the heart to stimulate flow.
Hydration with electrolytes: Water is the riverbed for lymph—don’t let it dry up.

Two Clinical Therapies That Help

Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD)
Myofascial Release focused on lymphatic choke points (thoracic inlet, diaphragm)