Lymph Flow Is Physics: How and Where Blocks Occur
- Yolima
- Dec 28, 2025
- 4 min read
Updated: Jan 5
Still dealing with stubborn swelling, brain fog, stiffness, pain, heavy or sluggish AFTER your Manual Lymphatic Drainage massage?
This is why...
How Physics effects Lymph Flow-
Imagine the human body like a tree (lungs, veins, arteries, brain, etc.). Capillaries resemble leaves, vessels act like branches, and deeper lymphatic pathways function like the trunk.
Now—flip the tree upside down.
Most lymphatic drainage massage focuses on the “leaves,” or superficial lymph. That work is gentle, calming, and incredibly helpful for many people.
But for others, symptoms may plateau, stay the same, or even worsen.
Why Progress Can Stall?
When lymph can’t move freely, it begins to pool upstream/ downstream, creating puffy, tender areas and contributing to lingering symptoms. Over time, this reduced flow can strain the system and limit progress. This is often where people feel like they’ve “hit a wall" or have chronic symptoms.
What happens when the pipe Lymph travels through is restricted?
There can be back flow or up flow- puffy legs, or swollen tummy, pain
Lymph can pool- bloated tummy, brain fog
When lymph pools it can cause health issues (think all the 'itis's like arthritis)
Morning stiffness,
Pain is a side effect of your lymph system not working effectively. When lymph is stagnant surrounding tissues become congested with metabolic waste and inflammatory byproducts, which may trigger pain and discomfort.
Where Are Lymphatic Blocks Most Commonly Found?
Lymphatic blocks can occur anywhere there are lymph nodes. However, we have noticed a few well-known regions where restriction appears most frequently: the sternum, cisterna chyli, upper cervical nodes, and the femoral region among others.
1. Sternum (Central Chest)
A significant amount of lymphatic congestion is commonly found around the sternum. This area acts as a major crossroads for circulation and lymph flow, where fluid movement must change direction and integrate with the heart and lungs.
Signs the sternum may be congested:
Puffiness or swelling over the chest
Tenderness or soreness when pressed
Soreness along the sternum and between the ribs
2. Cisterna Chyli (Deep Abdomen)
The cisterna chyli is the body’s largest lymphatic reservoir, located deep within the abdomen. When lymph becomes backed up here, it can disrupt drainage throughout the entire body.
Where it’s located:
Approximately halfway between the bottom of the sternum and the belly button
Signs this area may be congested:
Puffiness or fullness in the upper abdomen
Tenderness or sensitivity to touch
A feeling of stagnation or heaviness
Areas of the body that struggle to drain
Bloating, swelling, or deep abdominal discomfort
3. Upper Cervical Region (Upper Neck)
The upper cervical area houses approximately one-third of the body’s lymph nodes, making it a critical drainage zone for the head, neck, and brain.
Where it’s located:
Along the sides of the upper neck, just below the base of the skull
Signs this area may be congested:
Puffiness in the neck or face
Tenderness or tightness along the neck
Brain fog
Headaches
Jaw tension or TMJ symptoms
4. Femoral Region (Upper Inner Thigh/Groin)
The femoral region contains major lymphatic pathways responsible for draining the lower body. Congestion here can significantly affect leg, pelvic, and abdominal drainage.
Where it’s located:
High along the inner thigh near the groin
Signs this area may be congested:
Swelling or heaviness in the legs
Tenderness in the groin or upper thigh
Poor lower-body drainage
A feeling of pressure or stagnation
How to address deep blocks? With Deep work.
Deep lymphatic work views the body as a system of interconnected pathways,
much like a series of tubes that rely on pressure and movement to function properly.
Certain areas of the body naturally experience more stress because pathways curve, narrow, or change direction. When Lymph pipes narrow or curve, it causes a traffic jam, restricting the flow.
At Trillium, we use breath, positioning, and precise pressure to help restore movement through these deeper pathways. Once a restriction eases, the body naturally creates a pressure change, allowing superficial lymph to drain more efficiently into the trunk.
This often makes overall lymph flow feel easier and more balanced. Some individuals may have a detox reaction, that's important to know
Does It Hurt?
During assessment, some tender areas are identified; that’s how we learn where support is needed and assess your system.
Assessment helps guide the work. The service itself should not be painful. If anything feels uncomfortable during a session, that feedback is essential; we adjust immediately.
What Happens After a Session?
As lymph begins to move more freely, some people notice temporary changes. This can be different for everyone and may include physical sensations, emotional shifts, or feeling unusually tired or energized (aka Detox).
These responses are typically short-lived and reflect the body adapting to improved flow.
Why Choose This Approach?
Because deeper/ chronic issues rarely resolve with surface level work alone.
By addressing pressure, flow, and deeper pathways, you’re supporting the system more efficiently, often resulting in longer-lasting relief and better overall progress.
It’s not about doing more.
It’s about doing what works.
It’s physics.
In Health and Wellness
The Trillium Manual Therapies Team
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