How Swimming Keeps You Lean and Clean

Swimming and the Lymphatic System

Studies show that water resistance combined with muscle movements generates a natural massage that helps drain the entire lymphatic system. Any exercise where you are moving and pumping the muscles, stimulates lymphatic flow. Exercising while submerged in water further enhances the flow of lymphatic fluid through hydrostatic pressure and its effect on deep breathing.

1.     Hydrostatic pressure and compression
As water is denser than air, it exerts more pressure on our bodies when we are submerged in it. This hydrostatic pressure compresses your skin, muscles, and joints like a custom compression garment, which stimulates lymphatic drainage. The fluids are pushed from the tissues in the extremities through to the venous and lymphatic systems and heads towards the central thoracic cavity: which means both your lymphatic and blood circulation and flow is increased.

2.     Deep Breathing
When swimming, surfing or just playing about in the water, your heart and lungs are already working harder due to  the physical exertion of moving through the water and intermittently holding your breath when your head is underwater. The work of deep breathing is further increased  by the compression of the chest cavity from the hydrostatic pressure of the water. Deep breathing stimulates the pumping in the thoracic duct, which is the largest of the two lymph ducts in the lymphatic system. As the lungs go from inhaling to exhaling, there is a clear switch in intra-abdominal pressure. This creates a vacuum-like effect and moves sluggish lymph fluid up the thoracic duct and into the venous system.

Lymphatic drainage helps to keep the body “clean and lean” by detoxifying the body and removing excess liquid. At Massage by the Sea we are now offering integrative lymphatic drainage massage. A massage coupled with a swim in the ocean is the perfect way to boost and rejuvenate your body. Hmmm… makes me think of a place.. 😉

Author

Shareen is a nutritionist and director of Massage by the Sea