with Andreas Klein

Often, patients with sedentary jobs have more painful muscles and respond more slowly to therapy than those whose jobs that involve exercise i. e. back muscle soreness reduces more rapidly in those who exercise regularly. That doesn’ t mean‘ people who don’ t exercise don’ t respond’ the just often respond more slowly. Why? One reason is tissue detox efficiency via lymphatics.

Lymph vessels take muscle tissue waste products to the blood stream for excretion via the liver & kidneys. Lymph vessels don’ t have a heart to pump fluid as does the blood. Rather they have tiny muscles surrounding each lymph vessel which all contract in a coordinated way to pump lymph. But muscle contraction from exercise makes this lymph flow much more efficient. Being sedentary reduces lymph flow.

At rest, approximately 1 / 3 of lymph transport in the human leg results from skeletal muscle contractions( extrinsic pump) while 2 / 3 results from active pumping by lymph vessels themselves( intrinsic pump) of the collecting vessel network. But standing and exercise significantly increases lymph flow &

tissue detoxification. Studies show that a person when:

1. asleep, has very low ankle lymph flow, just 0.24 ml / h.

2. standing increases ankle lymph flow 13 times.

3. fast walking, increases ankle lymph flow 15 times

These effects are partly due to increased: 1 heart rate, 2 blood pressure and 3 capillary widening 4 contracting skeletal muscles

Standing & exercise leads to increased tissue blood flow which:

1. increases muscle nutrient and oxygen delivery and muscle repair & maintenance

2. More efficient energy production( fitness)

3. flushes tissue waste material into lymph vessels,

4. Muscle contraction( exercise) improves flushing process Sedentary people have a

reduced rate of nutrient and oxygen supply, lower fitness and tissue repair capacity, still produce waste, but don’ t have the exerciserelated flushing benefits, and thus may accumulate waste which can irritate muscle nerves leading to pain. In people who

exercise( within reason) the reverse is often true, improving their response to treatment.

If you have a back or musculoskeletal injury and need help why not give Andreas a call at the clinic( see ad at bottom of page) on 0418 166 269.