It’s that time of year again, and for allergy sufferers, there’s no mistaking the first waves of pollen in the air. Congestion, itchy eyes, and scratchy throat are all symptoms of allergies – and Fall blooming grasses, trees, and weeds are a common culprit. Depending on where you live, your symptoms can persist until the frost. In Greenville, our Fall allergy season can seem especially long, beginning in late summer and going through late October. Conventional allergy treatments can help, but may not relieve symptoms completely. Maybe it’s time to try something different. With manual techniques, we can help you clear your head of the congestion and pressure often resulting from exposure to allergens.

What is Lymphatic Manual Drainage?

In our practice, we utilize lymphatic manual drainage (LMD) in addition to neuromuscular techniques to help our clients optimize their health. LMD is a gentle modality, using feather-light pressure to stimulate the lymphatic system – nodes, vessels, and ducts. We use 4 main types of touch in LMD to move the fluid:

• Stationary circles
• Scoop technique
• Pump technique
• Rotary technique

Many people benefit from this type of manual therapy, especially after an injury or surgery. Plus, the techniques can help to manage chronic conditions like lymphedema (swelling) and other health issues where fluid is accumulating and not draining properly.

LMD Treatment For Seasonal Allergies

So, how does this relate to allergies? When your body responds to allergens, typically this manifests as excess fluid in the head, neck, and ears. You might find your face feels puffy, your nose is either blocked or running, and hearing can become muffled. LMD can help mobilize this fluid to relieve the feeling of pressure and help your body clear it through the lymphatic system. This non-invasive, gentle therapy on the face feels relaxing while improving your stubborn allergy symptoms. It moves allergens and irritants out of the sinus passageways and into the lymph nodes, where your body can break them down and render them harmless. As a result, it can actually improve the functioning of your immune system – decreasing reactivity over time.

One of the many benefits of LMD is that it works as both a standalone treatment and in combination with medication. Because there is no cross-reactivity risk with medication, immunotherapy (allergy shots), or other allergy treatments, it makes a great addition to your seasonal allergy arsenal. Ready to find some relief from your seasonal allergies? Book a session with us today.