Let's Move that Lymph for Healthy Immune System

A healthy immune system goes hand in hand with a healthy lymphatic system.  The lymph system is our body's cleansing system.  The concept of lymph is difficult to wrap your brain around because it's a fluid system but it's not blood.  The lymphatic system is a network of tissues and organs that rid the body of all the impurities and metabolic waste products.

Perhaps the most important function of the lymphatic system is to carry infection fighting white blood cells throughout the body (Live Science, 2018).   This is especially important now as we fight the coronavirus and try to build healthy immune systems at home.

In order to keep your lymph system healthy, you have to keep the lymph moving!  Lymphatic expert Stop Chasing Pain's Perry Nickelson says that stagnant lymph is a breeding ground for disease...."the more you sit, the more clogged up your lymphatic system gets"!

LET'S MOVE THAT LYMPH FOR HEALTHY IMMUNE SYSTEM

As a Z-Health Practitioner, I specialize in all things of the nervous system, including the lymphatic system.  A healthy lymph system needs to move.  Today I want to show you how to do 'LYMPHATIC BREATHING' to unclog the lymph and keep it moving to rid the body of impurities and toxins.

The key to this method is to open up the left thoracic duct because the left thoracic duct is the king pin of the body; the entire body (except the right side of the face and the right arm) drains through the left thoracic duct.

Follow along with this video and breathe.  Do this 1-5 minutes at a time.
The more swollen you are, the longer you might want to try this type of breathing.

Breathing is Your First Line of Defense Against Covid19

Because the coronavirus is an upper respiratory disease that attacks the lungs, breathing is your first line of defense against the virus.   Thankfully, God created us with a powerful immune system to fight against evil viruses and bacteria so it's time to harness the power of breathing in order to stay healthy.

This weekend, I listened to a super informative webinar by breathing expert, Patrick McKeown of the Buteyko Clinic.  I learned about the power of nasal breathing and how our body produces nitrous oxide, a powerful defense against the coronavirus.

Patrick explained that nitrous oxide (NO) is a powerful gas that is naturally produced in the paranasal sinuses (aka, nose) through nasal breathing.  Our nose hairs trap NO and distribute it throughout the body.  

The benefits of nitrous oxide:

1.  Sterilizes air going into the lungs.  Nitrous oxide is proven antiviral, antibacterial, antimicrobe
2.  Bronchodilator.  NO opens UP the lungs to fight the breathlessness of the COVID19 virus

3.  Increases lung surfactant.  Surfactant in lungs is responsible for elasticity and movement of lungs.  Covid19 decreases lung surfactant, nasal nitrous oxide increases lung surfactant. 

Healthy lungs create surfactant which allows for movement and elasticity of the lungs.  

Bad news:  Coronavirus, aka COVID9 and/or SARS2, decreases surfactant.   

Good news: Nasal breathing creates nitrous oxide which improves surfactant.  

Here's an awesome breathing drill to increase nasal nitrous oxide production and get the NO into the blood for use:  Nasal breathing IN and Hum OUT.

As a health educator, I appreciate the power of prevention and know that the choices made today will affect health and vitality of tomorrow.  Just do it.  What do you have got  to lose?

Got Hip Pain? Move those nerves!

This beautiful first weekend in March, I'm in Phoenix at an advanced level neuroscience training weekend.  Four days of brain-based vision and speed mechanics.  Practicing for this certification, I pushed it too hard and now my hip flexors are killing me.  It's humbling but coaches need coaching, too.  

Luckily, I'm here with the best of the best Z-Health Neuro-Performance Coaches to get some relief for my pain.  Through testing, it's determined that I have a nerve problem!  It's time to practice what I preach in my  "Holistic Hip Pain" Workshop  and do those nerve movement drills!

Essentially,  we are really just one big nerve.  One nerve that crosses a lot of joints.  The more joints a nerve crossed, the greater the chance it will get "entrapped" or "compressed" along the route of our body; especially in tight places like the shoulder, hip and low back.  

As a Z-Health Practitioner, I follow an 8-Levels Model approach toward assessing and working with a client.  From the outside in, Level 1 receptors transmit information to Level 2 peripheral nerves.  My hip pain is along the peripheral nerves.  

When working with peripheral nerves, one must consider health and function of each nerve; particularly areas of pain.  Dr. Cobb teaches us how to do "neuromechanic drills" for specific nerves to help relieve specific aches, pains and problems.  

Holistic Hip Pain Workshop with The Fall Prevention Lady

Neuromechanic drills are designed to help nerves be healthier and function better, which includes better sensation, better strength, and better neural mobility and resiliency (i.e., the nerve can stretch and slide and handle compression during body movements). 

These "nerve glides: can be used when there’s a deficit or you just need a boost, and they can be included as a regular part of more systematic movement programming.  

If you’re taking joints through full ranges of motion on a regular basis, you may also want to take muscles through full ranges of motion and nerves through full ranges of motion at some point as well. 

I haven't been exercising so my femoral, peroneal and tibial nerves need a boost!  

Neuromechanic drills are amazing option to add to your regime if you want to move better.  Schedule a session with me or join me in an upcoming Holistic Hip Pain workshop to learn how to do nerve glides for better performance. 

The Fall Prevention Lady

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Balance Training Today vs When You Were a Kid

I was working with my "Boomer Power Hour" group the other day and told them it was time for some vestibular training.  The vestibular system is the inner ear balance system where the equilibrium lives and should be required in every senior fitness training class that says it trains balance.  Without proper activation of the vestibular system, balance suffers.

As he put down the resistance band, 85-year old Don asked, "What is vestibular training and where was it when I was growing up?".  I laughed too hard at this because it's true!

Don is a long-term client of mine who originally came to me with complaints of dizziness with head turns, a sensitive visual system and a fear of falling.  Throughout our training sessions, Don has learned about the vestibular system and how to activate the parts of his inner ear that need more activation.

Not a new concept in balance training, 'vestibular' training is common part of next level balance training programs and an essential foundation in brain-based training. Physical therapists are educated in the vestibular system but only work with it if there is a severe dysfunction.

A problem in the vestibular system directly affects balance because the inner ear receptors tell your brain which end is up and which direction you're going.  Without proper input signals, your brain doesn't know which signals are correct and the result is unsteady, dizzy, nauseous.   A dysfunction in the inner ear system will affect every other aspect of your life.

Similar to the other systems of the central nervous system, the vestibular system functions on a "use it or lose it" perspective.  If you don't train the inner ear balance system, you will lose it.     You can try to stand on one leg all day but if you're not training the inner ear balance system,  YOUR BALANCE WILL SUFFER.

The typical senior fitness instructor is not trained in the vestibular system.  As a Z-Health Practitioner, I am trained in the neuro-anatomy and physiology of the vestibular system.  Z-Health Performance trains the top 1% of fitness professionals and I am proud of the education I've invested in and the services I offer older adults.

The vestibular system was discovered decades ago but it's only now with advancements in functional neurology that we are learning more about how to train the canals and otoliths for better performance in daily life.

IF you've been going to the same fitness class and your balance isn't getting better or your neurologist says there's nothing they can do about your dizziness, find a Z-Health Practitioner and learn what YOUR inner ear balance system needs to correct itself.

The Fall Prevention Lady:  I offer private sessions and small group brain-based training classes.  Please contact me for more information:  info@thefallpreventionlady.com