Dry Brushing for Your Health
What you need to know and how to get started
What does Dry Brushing Do for your Lymphatic Health?
Since most of your lymphatic anatomy lies just below the skin, dry brushing is one of the ways that we can move our lymphatic liquids. Acting to protect you from incidents, as the first line of defence against any invasion of harmful bacteria, virus or anything the body recognizes as non-self crossing the skin. You abundant lymphatic fluid flowing throughout your body 24/7. Your lymphatic fluid also protects the throat and lungs since we’re vulnerable to threats we take in through the nose and mouth. This is why at the first sign of a cold coming on, we often see a sore and swollen throat, sneezing, or a runny nose. Skin brushing helps make sure lymph is distributed to everywhere it’s needed, since the lymphatic system has no pump to distribute it’s currency, outside of physical motion and skin brushing.
Human Lymphatic System 101
Your lymphatic system is the quietest hero in your body. It’s responsible for flowing all around your body to give your immune system what’s needed to repel pathogens, act as the first line of defense in case of injury, and supply what’s necessary to initial healing if the skin is broken or burned. If you’ve ever had a swollen knee from injury or swollen tonsils with a sore throat, you’ve witnessed the actions of your lymphatic system. These responses all involve the body moving lymphatic liquid to where it’s needed.
How do I get started?
First – find a new clean dry brush you really bond with. Ideally you can go and check them out (feel them) and sneak a brush on your skin because that sensation is important. Your chosen brush should be firm enough to feel, but not so firm that it leaves your skin red or marked. A small amount of pink on some skin is possible, but this really should not hurt. Second – decide if you’re going to do this at night or in the morning. It’s typically done without clothing. The session can take anywhere from 5-15 minutes, depending on how and if the brushing process ‘grows on you’. If you find brushing one place makes your skin ask to be brushed in another place, that’s ok. Satisfy that itch! Some people like to shower after dry brushing. This is because dry brushing helps your skin cells shed the dead ones off, so that might leave you wanting to wash up after.
General Guidelines
Take a look at human lymphatic anatomy, and notice on the chart where the large lymphatic nodes are, in the fronts of the shoulders and in the fronts of the hips. Those are the portals to persuade your lymphatic fluid to go toward. I have a method (Dry Brushing for Lymphatic Drainage) listed in the links below, but it’s best for you to find your own method on youtube, because it has to work for you.