Give Lymph a Chance: Burn Your (Underwire) Bra

Bra burning for better immunity.

I gave up wearing underwire bras a couple of years ago. Not only are their wireless counterparts more comfortable but they are better for my health.

In order to understand how underwires can be detrimental you need to get to know your lymphatic system. The circulatory system is so well represented in basic biology trivia that most of us are aware of the importance of the blood vessels and organs that make it up: the heart, lungs, arteries, veins and capillaries.

What is surprising is how little we know about it's sister system, especially considering that the lymph vessel network is larger than the blood vessel network and that it carries a similar quantity of fluid around our body.

The lymphatic system has no central pump (where the circulatory system has the heart) so it relies on the movements of skeletal muscles and breathing to move lymph throughout the body. This is another reason why it is important to keep active and to regularly engage in deep diaphragmatic belly breathing.

The lymphatic system is responsible for some pretty important duties:

• Drains excess interstitial fluid. That is, it moves fluid that builds up between cells like the fluid created during a swollen ankle injury.
• Fights off illness by carrying out immune responses using the anti-bodies that you were born with and those develop as you are exposed to pathogens and germs. These anti-bodies hang out in your lymph until they are called to action.
• Transports and distributes dietary lipids (i.e. fats that you eat).

Take a look at these images of the lymphatic system and notice the delicate lymphatic structures clustered around the armpit and throughout the breast tissue.

Delicate lymph nodes can be compressed and
the flow of lymph hindred by an under wire.

Check out the nodes in her axilla!

Underwire bras can decrease lymphatic circulation.

Now think of the placement of an under wire in a bra and it's position on the body and pair that with what you now know about the location of the axillary (armpit) lymph nodes and the purpose of the lymphatic system.

The statement act of bra burning isn't what I'm trying to encourage here but rather educated bra choice. Next time you're shopping for your smalls consider which options will help you maintain your best possible lymphatic circulation. Your immunity, circulation, and general health will thank you.

See you in the clinic,
Dana



Sources:

• http://pinterest.com/amandatorium/maxi-coat-podcast/
• http://www.wdv.com/Cancer/Breast/CBE/index.html
• http://barbarawhitemassage.com/day_spa_lymphatic_drainage.asp
• http://www.thodgeslmp.com/Counterstrain/Lymphatic_SCS.html
• http://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancerbasics/lymph-nodes-and-cancer
• http://www.cbass.com/lymph.htm
• http://www.dreamstime.com/royalty-free-stock-photo-transparent-lymphatic-system-man-image26202845 "transparent-lymphatic-system-of-man"
• http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/cancer-help/type/breast-cancer/about/the-breasts-and-lymphatic-system 
• http://www.threadsmagazine.com/item/3729/the-bra-dilemma-solved/page/all