Episode 221: Lymph Love with Leah Levitan

Sep 6

In the past Erin referred to the lymphatic system as an unsung hero of the body. It’s responsible for maintaining fluid balance, for circulating hormones and immune cells throughout the body, as well as transporting toxins out of the body—but it wasn’t something many people talked much about. Increasingly over the past few years, however, lymph is getting its time in the spotlight: more and more folks in health spaces are discussing lymph and lymph work. Perhaps you’ve seen some tutorial videos on lymph drainage massage or how to use gua sha stones and dry brushes.

While it’s great the lymphatic system is getting the credit it deserves, it’s important to know how to approach your lymph and lymph work in a mindful way. That’s why Erin sat down with Leah Levitan, licensed massage therapist, massage instructor, and Vodder Certified Manual Lymphatic Drainage Practitioner, to dive into the nitty gritty of the lymphatic system, what it does, how interconnected it is to the rest of our body, and things you can do to improve lymph health—in a way that’s safe for your body.

The thing about lymph work is that it’s very gentle, yet very powerful. After listening you’ll understand why Leah’s work with lymph comes from such a grounded and comprehensive place.

If you feel bloated, puffy, wake up with puffy circles under your eyes, or if you’ve been curious about lymph drainage and lymph work, this will be a helpful episode to hear!

In this episode:

All about Leah [2:33]

Why Leah loves lymph [4:34]

Lymph goes viral [7:48]

Taking it from the top with lymph [11:21]

Stagnant lymph [14:29]

Things you can do to improve lymph [16:03]

Movement, lymph & the connection to our gut [17:39]

Breathing & how to know if you have a tight diaphragm [21:57]

Can you be too aggressive with lymph drainage? [26:18]

Signs you may be dealing with a lymphatic drainage issue [30:19]

Changing your breast tissue through lymph work [37:07]

Bras: to wear or not to wear for lymph flow [40:18]

How to support our lymphatic system at home [42:54]

Vibration for lymph flow [46:51]

Where (& how) to start practicing lymphatic work [49:13]

Tattoos and the lymph system [54:55]

Injectables: yay or nay? [59:09]

Leah is a licensed massage therapist, Vodder Method certified lymphatic drainage specialist, licensed massage instructor, and online educator. In her Austin clinic, she assists and supports women as they navigate their unique healing journeys. She approaches the body with brain-based myofascial bodywork and Manual Lymphatic Drainage to harness the healing power of the lymphatic system. that have proven to be a valuable missing miss to their migraine, autoimmune, chronic fatigue, EDS, hormone imbalance, and endometriosis symptoms. She is the founder of Lymph Love Club, which started out in 2020, with some silly videos that contained tips and tricks for her clients to help them keep up the lymph work at home. The response was overwhelming and it turns out that chronic folks who've slipped through the cracks also needed this medicine, and were ready to learn about, rebuild trust, and take ownership of their body's innate healing capabilities.

With all the healing journeys she's witnessed first hand, she started to build out her first online course (Intro To Lymph Flow) and has become a women's health + self-love advocate in the process. Through her own self healing journey of transitioning off of birth control and reversing her dense breast tissue with MLD, she's helped raise awareness about breast and reproductive health to help others gain autonomy in their healing.

Resources mentioned:

Your Hormone Revival™ (Leah teaches a class exclusively for YHR on lymphatic drainage for breast tissue! Only available within the Funk’tional Nutrition Collective))

The Funk’tional Nutrition Academy™ (Leah teaches lymph to practitioners in a Masterclass—apply to be in the next cohort!)

Find Leah & her Lymph Love Club on Instagram

Join Leah’s Intro to Lymph Flow

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Dry Farm Wines Natural, Organic, Paleo Wine (get an extra bottle for only a penny!)

Ned Natural Remedies (get 15% off your order with code FUNK)

Organifi supplement powder (save 20% on your order with code FUNK)

Beautycounter (clean ingredients, clean skin - get 20% off your first order!)

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