DR. CHRISTINE MacCARROLL, MA, FNTP, MRHP

Denver’s wellness scene is buzzing about lymphatic health. Here’s why this overlooked system matters.

The Hidden System Nobody Talks About

I have yet to meet a woman who’s never felt bloated, baggy-eyed in the morning, or brain fogged—even when she’s doing everything “right.” Maybe not all the time, but often enough to be annoying. And if you’ve felt fluffy or puffy, here’s some news: the root cause might lie in a body system you’ve never heard of or never given much thought to.

On the flip side, taking care of this hidden system can improve your mood, immune system, and yes, even your waistline. I’m talking about the lymphatic system.

What Your Lymphatic System Actually Does

Think of your lymphatic system as the essential workers of your body’s waste-removal crew. It balances fluids, supports circulation, and plays a key role in immunity. Remember your doctor (or “Dr. Mom”) feeling for swelling under your neck when you were sick? Those were your lymph nodes.

If lymphatic vessels are like streets running through your body, lymph nodes are the intersections. And just like in traffic, heavy loads can cause backups.

So what stagnates this system? In a word: modern life. Unlike your circulatory system with the heart, or your lungs with the diaphragm, or your digestive system with muscular waves, the lymphatic system has no pump of its own.

That means lymph doesn’t just flow automatically—it depends on you: movement, breathing, hydration, and sometimes outside help. Without those, stagnation sets in. The result? bloating, swelling, fatigue, brain fog, or that sense of heaviness no amount of sleep seems to fix.

This isn’t just important when you’re sick. Just like you need to take out the trash to keep your home running smoothly, your body needs constant circulation and waste removal—and it relies on lymph to detox and stay functional.

When the Flow Slows: Signs of Stagnation

Modern life is tough on lymph. Long hours at a desk, shallow breathing, dehydration, and stress all add up to sluggish flow. Without support, the system designed to carry waste away can’t keep pace.

Clues your lymphatic system may be stagnating:

• Bloating or puffiness

• Fatigue or brain fog

• Swelling in hands/feet

• Slow recovery after exercise

• Sluggish digestion

• Lowered ability to fight infections

Remember: common does not mean normal.

When Fat Loss Floods a System Without a Pump

Right now, many people are turning to GLP-1 medications for rapid weight loss. What often gets left out is that fat cells don’t just store calories—they also stash away compounds your body couldn’t process, including environmental toxins. It’s like kids “cleaning” their room by shoving everything under the bed.

Here’s the catch-22: as fat cells shrink, they release not just energy but also that hidden waste. Suddenly, it all enters circulation. While your liver and kidneys do their part, your lymphatic system is on the front lines of transporting waste out of tissues. But with no pump, lymph only moves if you make it move.

And if the system is already sluggish—thanks to dehydration, sitting all day, or shallow breathing—that flood can feel overwhelming. It’s one reason people may feel run down, foggy, or inflamed even as the scale drops. Supporting lymphatic flow during weight loss isn’t optional self-care; it’s the key to feeling lighter, not just leaner.

Simple Ways to Support Lymphatic Health at Home

After a decade of practicing functional nutrition and holistic wellness, I’ve narrowed in on some of the simplest ways you can support this system at home. And yes—it takes intention.

• Stay hydrated. Lymph fluid is mostly water. Divide your weight in pounds by two, and drink that many ounces daily. (150 lbs = 75 oz.)

• Take a walk. Walking improves blood sugar regulation, digestion, mood, and lymphatic flow.

• Focus on your breath. Desk hunching shrinks lung capacity and reduces lymph-stimulating breaths. Take breaks and breathe all the way to your belly button.

• Dry brushing. Before showers, it helps stimulate lymph flow, circulation, and skin appearance.

• Bounce. A rebounder (mini-trampoline) is fun and effective for moving lymph.

When You Want More: Professional Support

At-home practices are powerful, and everyone should start there. But sometimes decades of stagnation require a reset.

At The Tox, we’ve curated a proprietary technique—a signature approach to bodywork designed to promote the well-being of the digestive and lymphatic systems.

It blends intentional movement and sculpting methods to support your body’s natural rhythm and flow. More than just a treatment—it’s a lifestyle rooted in purposeful sculpting modalities designed to leave you feeling refreshed, realigned, and reconnected to yourself. Bonus: you leave looking instantly more sculpted as well.

Your lymphatic system may work quietly behind the scenes, but supporting it might be the secret to feeling like your best self again.

The Tox Denver RiNo is Denver’s first studio dedicated to bodywork that supports the digestive and lymphatic systems, blending intentional movement with a luxe, sculpting approach. Owner Christine MacCarroll, functional nutritionist and Master Restorative Health Practitioner, brings her expertise in women’s health and holistic wellness to everything we do. Visit us in RiNo, call 720.471.1104 to book, or connect on Instagram @thetoxdenverrino.