When I start working with you using manual hands-on therapy, I will start by putting my hand on the sternum (breastbone) close to the clavicles (collarbones).
In my opinion this is the area of the most important transverse plane (i.e. horizontal plane) in the body because all the lymph and blood drain here. If the structures in this area are not moving properly, it will be difficult to achieve permanent change elsewhere.
The lymph drains up from the belly and lower body, left check, left arm, and left head through the thoracic duct to the left subclavian vein. The lymph drains from the right chest, right arm, and right head into the right lymphatic duct into the right subclavian vein.
The blood drains up from the lower body into the inferior vena cava, and down from the upper body into the superior vena cava to go back to the heart for recirculation.
The axilla (armpit) is part of the shoulder transverse plane and needs to be supple and open for proper lymph and blood return.
Because most of our activities involve using the arms down and in front of us, we experience tightness in the armpits.
Also, because we do not practice physiologic breathing that moves the ribs and intercostal muscles with each breath, we experience armpit tightness.
The video below will teach your how to release the fascia in your armpits.
It is important to also incorporate overhead activities (like jumping jacks, windmills, swimming etc. or even hitting the top of the door frame when you walk through) and retrain to breathe physiologically to retain an open arm pit after therapy.
The armpits must be open in order for the blood and lymph to drain properly in the chest cavity because the blood and lymph are closed circuits. If fluid is not in the channels and in the tissue instead, the fluid system will not move well.
To Release Armpit Fascia
- Lay on your stomach on a bed or couch or floor
- If you want to work on your left armpit, put your right arm under your chest and insert the hand into the left armpit
- Use your fingers to feel around in the armpit looking for a sore spot
- When you find the sore spot you can either gently rub it, or you can apply pressure to it and move your arm and shoulder around it. Either way, you can release the fascia.
- Continue going a little deeper with each layer that you release.
- Check both sides
