Nicole Shea, LMT, MMP, CLT Originally Published: Apr 19, 2023 There are roughly 700 lymph nodes in the body, 400 of which reside in the abdomen. They carry out many specialized tasks that impact our digestion and overall health. Lymphatics in the Gut There are roughly 700 lymph nodes in the body, 400 of which reside in the abdomen. They carry out many specialized tasks that impact our digestion and overall health. The high population of lymph nodes in the abdomen is due

Nicole Shea, LMT, MMP, CLT Originally Published: Apr 19, 2023 The Origin and Threat of Incisional Drainage in Post-Cosmetic Surgical Care In a world with increasing popularity of cosmetic procedures, there should be attention paid to the after care and recovery. Body altercation surgeries have become more radical throughout the 21st century, now involving muscle dissection, foreign body injection, and prosthesis. The swelling and fibrosis (hardening) that is brought o

Nicole Shea, LMT, MMP, CLT Medical Lymphatic Drainage Practitioner and Educator The other day in class I was rambling on about immune cell signaling and hormone bioavailability effects in lymphatic endothelial cells, and I stopped and asked the class if anyone had any questions. Seemingly out of place, I had a student ask me, "What is Manual Lymphatic Drainage?" This was 4 days into an advanced manual lymphatic drainage class! We had talked about so much biomechanics that the

This is probably the most important fundamental question for understanding Manual Lymphatic Drainage and, honestly, in my opinion, understanding our bodies and our health. And yet, so few people, even within the medical and wellness world, can actually answer it. I’m Nicole Shea, and I’m a lymphatic educator committed to bringing up-to-date, science-based information about the lymphatic system to bodyworkers, medical professionals, and anyone else who will listen to me! So… w

One of the most rewarding parts of my private practice has been working with people living with autoimmune conditions. While I never promise to treat the disease itself, I've watched many clients describe something remarkable after incorporating Manual Lymphatic Drainage into their wellness routine: they sleep better, recover easier, feel less overwhelmed by stress, experience fewer digestive complaints, and often report that their flare-ups feel more manageable. Over time, m

The conversation around Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) is evolving rapidly. While most practitioners are familiar with MLD for post-surgical recovery, lymphedema care, and inflammation management, researchers are now exploring something even more fascinating: the relationship between the glymphatic system and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's disease. The glymphatic system is often described as the brain’s “waste clearance system.” During rest and sleep, this netwo