To increase the effectiveness of the treatments and help with recovery, we offer a few tips you may want to consider including as part of your activities.
1. BREATHING EXERCISE
Perform the following breathing exercise three times per day.
*Note: To determine the rate at which to perform the breathing exercise, record the time required for a full inhalation at a moderate rate.
As an example, if you require four (4) seconds to inhale a full breath, you are to hold your breath for sixteen (16) seconds, and exhale for eight (8) seconds.
The breathing ratio is 1-4-2. In other terms, the time over which you inhale represents one count; the length of time to hold the breath is four times the inhalation count; and the exhalation is completed over a period equal to two inhale counts. The ratio is the optimal ratio to oxygenate the cells of the body. to activate the flow of the lymphatic system. The slow exhalation is specifically for moving the lymph fluid. The quantity of lymph fluid in the body is four (4) times the volume of blood present in the body.. The circulatory system has a pump, the heart, to move the blood. However, the lymph system does not have a pump. The best way to move the fluid is by means of deep diaphragmatic breathing at the ratio specified above, and contracting muscles to manually pump the fluid. The lymphatic system is the detoxification system of the body. It expels from the body the waste products after the cells have used the nutrients they received from the blood. The body eliminates residual substances (waste) through urine, feces, breathing and sweat. The lymph system also carries hormones and fats throughout the body.
2. HEALING FOODS
The best foods to eat are alkaline foods. These provide the healthiest environment for our cells and therefore minimize the chances of getting ill or injuring ourselves. The foods that generally appeal to most people for taste produce acidic substances as by-products of their utilization for cellular activity. Foods that produce acidity in our body include the following:
Cigarette smoking also produces an acid environment.
It is recommended that 3 portions of an alkaline foods be eaten for every 1 portion of acid-producing foods. Alkaline foods include the following:
Avoid mixing carbohydrates with proteins: the two require different digestive enzymes. When eaten together digestion is adversely affected. As a consequence the amount of nutrients absorbed from the foods is decreased. Carbohydrates and proteins should be consumed individually with vegetables.
Eat fruit on an empty stomach. The combination of fruits with other foods proteins and carbohydrates) impedes proper digestion, causing the foods to ferment in the stomach and decreasing the amount of nutrients absorbed by the body.
3. DRINK WATER
Consume at least three (3) liters of water per day or five (5) liters per day if you are detoxifying the body. This is necessary to clean the lymphatic system and to keep the organism hydrated and in the correct pH balance. Sip the water; do not drink it all at once. It will only get flushed out the kidneys causing you to urinate frequently. This is the best way to expel fat cells, waste (including acid by–products) from the body.
4. REDUCE STRESS
The biggest factor in making the body a more acidic environment is stress. Try to eliminate stress as much as possible. If you need any help, ask your therapist for suggestions.
5. EXERCISE
Perform aerobic exercise at least five (5) days per week for a period no less than 30 minutes. Aerobic exercise is essential for stimulating the activity of the lymphatic system. Exercise also helps keep muscles and joints flexible, and helps in reducing stress. Aerobic means “with air” so you should be exercising at an intensity that allows you to breathe at a comfortable rate. You should be able to have a conversation while exercising. If you exercise too hard you will be performing “anaerobic exercise” which does not burn fat, only glucose that is in your blood stream thereby making you hungry and or light headed. It also puts lactic acid into the tissues causing more aches and pains.
6. SKIN CARE
Evaluate the nature of all substances used on the skin. Do not use antiperspirants or underarm deodorants; they adversely affect the function of the lymphatic system. Two of the six areas in the body where lymph fluid is drained are located in the armpit area. The use of underarm antiperspirants and underarm deodorants blocks the draining of the lymph fluid in the armpit area. Avoid the use of petroleum-based products. The products contain toxins that must be eliminated by the liver.
7. COMPLETE A LIVER DETOXIFICATION
Detoxify the liver once or twice per year. The liver must clean everything that goes into the body either through eating, drinking, inhaling or absorption through the skin. The liver must process all medications, vaccinations and other substances ingested or absorbed by the body. Therefore, it is beneficial cleanse the liver periodically by means of a detoxification program. The detoxification may be completed by eliminating the consumption of acidic foods for a period of ten (10) days. If there are high level of toxins in the body, the detoxification should not be carried out for a period longer than three days. Drink 5 liters of water per day.