Back to School with your Amazing Lymphatic System

By Mackenzie McNamara, DC
Provided by and Published by the ICPA, Inc.

September means it's time for backpacks, pencils, books, and learning new things. Did you know that your body has an incredible learning and helping system, too? It's called your immune system, and one of its most important teammates is the lymphatic system. Together, they work every day to help your body stay healthy, balanced, and ready for all the adventures ahead.

Meet your Body’s Clean-Up Crew

Imagine if your classroom never got cleaned. Before long there would be scraps of paper on the floor, broken crayons on the tables, trash overflowing, and backpacks everywhere!

Your body has a specialized cleanup crew that works all day, every day. It's called the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is made of tiny vessels (tubes), lymph nodes, and special organs that collect extra fluid from around your body's cells, recycle useful materials, and carry away things your body no longer needs. This helps keep your tissues stay healthy so your trillions of cells have a good place to live and work.

Pretty AMAZING, isn't it?

Your Body Loves to Move!

Did you know your heart has a pump, but your lymphatic system doesn't? Instead, it depends on YOU!

Every time you breathe deeply, walk, run, jump, skip, climb, stretch, dance, or play, your muscles gently squeeze the lymph vessels, helping lymph move through your body. That's one more reason why recess, sports, riding bikes, dancing in the living room, and playing outside are so good for you!

Fueling Your AMAZING Body

Your immune and lymphatic systems love healthy habits!

You can help them to do their best by:

• Drinking plenty of water Eating colorful fruits and vegetables

• Getting enough sleep each night

• Taking deep breaths and playing outside

• Getting adjusted!

Your nervous system is the master communication system of your body. It helps coordinate everything your body does, from moving your muscles to helping your organs work together. The lymphatic system relies on movement throughout the body, and healthy movement starts with a healthy nervous system.

Chiropractic care helps support healthy movement and nervous system function, making it an important part of an active, healthy life!

Just like school helps your brain learn and grow, healthy habits help your AMAZING body learn, grow, heal, and thrive. Every time you move your body, drink water, eat nourishing foods, get plenty of sleep, and care for your nervous system, you're helping every part of you do its very best.

Have an AMAZING school year – we can't wait to see you at your next chiropractic visit!