The Lymphatic System
  by T.J. Newton
Table of Contents This is a rough draft that contains errors
Introduction
Conditions of the ear, mouth, teeth, and throat
Conditions of the gastrointestinal system
Conditions of the muscular and skeletal system
Conditions of the reproductive system
Conditions of the respiratory system
Conditions of the skin
Eyesight
Fatigue, amotivation, and sleep conditions
Tension
Introduction
Have you ever wondered whether there was any truth to the claims made by practitioners of so-called "alternative medicine?" Many people claim to have successfully treated a number of conditions (1) using alternative treatments (2). Some of these treatments appear to involve stimuli that may or may not accompany lymphatic responses in many individuals, depending on various factors.

The lymphatic system is part of the immune system. It involves a network of "pipes," similar to blood vessels, that extend throughout the body. As oxygen and other nutrients pass from the blood into various organs and tissues, certain fluids are released that are collected by the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system "filters" these fluids and returns them to the bloodstream. In addition, the lymphatic system appears to perform several other functions associated with the immune system.

A number of conditions have been associated with the lymphatic system, including AIDS, Alzheimer’s disease, arthritis, asthma, diabetes, heart disease, and lupus (3). There are also different types of cancer classified as lymphomas, or as lymphatic or lymphoid, while lymphatic cancer, lymphoma, and Hodgkin’s disease can describe cancers of the lymphatic system in general. Lymphedema describes inflammation of one or more parts of the lymphatic system.

Depending on various factors, some individuals may or may not benefit in the treatment of some conditions through certain types of lymphatic activity. For some conditions, there are other treatments that appear successful. Different individuals may respond to a number of different treatment options.

The lymphatic system may or may not respond in certain ways to a number of physiological, cognitive, and environmental stimuli. Different individuals may or may not exhibit certain lymphatic responses to varying combinations of different stimuli, depending on various factors.

It appears that most individuals seem to experience certain types of lymphatic activity in response to similar physiological stimuli under most conditions. This lymphatic activity seems to accompany moderate exercise and gentle touching or massage.

There may also be "common human emotions" that would seem to accompany similar lymphatic responses, under most conditions, in individuals with apparently similar measures of exposure to a society, culture, or other environmental stimuli. In many human societies, people identify words like "happy," "love," "sad," "stress," "fear," "brave," or "strong" as common human emotions. Some of the techniques used by marketers and advertisers seem to portray common human emotions, and many metaphysical theories seem to mention a number of common human emotions. (If topics like these interest you, visit neoNewton.com now, or read note (4).) (4)

The information that follows generally presents physiological stimuli that may or may not, depending on various factors, benefit some individuals in the treatment of the conditions described. The information was gathered from research and experimentation. You should use caution when attempting to treat any condition using this information. Your doctor may have other treatment options that may provide successful treatment for the conditions described. This information is not provided as treatment for any condition.

Conditions of the ear, mouth, teeth, and throat

Blistered or chapped lips

In some cases, blistered or chapped lips may or may not be prevented by stretching the lip and mouth muscles, depending on various factors. Assuming your lips are not severely blistered or chapped, "pucker" your lips and hold, then smile and stretch the corners of your mouth as far apart as you can and hold.

Earache, difficulty hearing

In some cases, some earaches or hearing difficulties may or may not respond to stretching the muscles of the face, jaw, and head, depending on various factors (5). Open your mouth as wide as you can and move your jaw forward and back as far as you can. With your jaw still open, tilt your head from side to side and turn it from left to right. Close your mouth and tilt your head back and squeeze your head down into your shoulders so that you feel it in your head, shoulders, and neck.

Sore throat

In some cases, a sore throat may or may not respond to stretching the muscles of the jaw and neck, depending on various factors (5). Tilt your head forward and squeeze your chin into your chest. Turn your head to the left and repeat, then do the same with your head turned to the right. Repeat these steps with your mouth opened as wide as you can open it. Tilt your head back and squeeze your head down into your shoulders so that you feel it in your head, shoulders, and neck. Turn your head to the left and repeat, then do the same with your head turned to the right. Repeat these steps with your mouth opened as wide as you can open it. Tilt your head to the right or left and repeat again.

See also:
Conditions of the respiratory system

Toothache

In some cases, a toothache may or may not respond to stretching the muscles of the jaw, neck, and head, depending on various factors (5). Open your mouth as wide as you can and move your jaw forward and back as far as you can. Tilt your head back and squeeze your head down into your shoulders so that you feel it in your head, shoulders, and neck.


Conditions of the gastrointestinal system
Most conditions of the gastrointestinal system may or may not respond to one or more of the following physiological stimuli, depending on various factors:

- Expanding and contracting your abdomen

- Deep breathing

- Gently pressing your abdomen with your hand, particularly your naval.

- Many conditions may also respond to implementing and repeating some variation of the following steps. You may need to experiment to find the steps that are right for you. Think about your condition and try to choose appropriately (5):


- Exercise
- Drink large amounts of water, exercise
- Eat appropriate amounts of food, drink large amounts of water, exercise
- Eat appropriate amounts of food, drink large amounts of water
- Eat appropriate amounts of food, exercise
- Eat appropriate amounts of food
- Drink large amounts of water

"Exercise" can include a number of techniques, programs, or activities, including stretching. Rest is usually an important part of most forms of exercise. Choose "food" that is appropriate for your nutritional needs. Digestion may or may not be aided by increasing or decreasing your number of bowel movements, sometimes dramatically (5).


Conditions of the muscular and skeletal system

Chills, poor circulation

In some cases, chills or poor circulation may or may not respond to one or more of the following physiological stimuli, depending on various factors:

- Stretching and other appropriate exercise -- "Exercise" can include a number of techniques, programs, or activities. Rest is usually an important part of most forms of exercise.

- Applying heat

- Massaging of appropriate muscles

See also:
Tension

Joint conditions

In some cases, joint conditions may or may not respond to one or more of the following physiological stimuli, depending on various factors:

- Stretching and other appropriate exercise -- "Exercise" can include a number of techniques, programs, or activities. Rest is usually an important part of most forms of exercise.

- Applying heat or cold

- Massaging of appropriate muscles

- Some joint conditions may be the result of an "asymmetry" in the muscular and skeletal system. An asymmetry is a condition in which some part of the body appears to move differently on one side than the corresponding part on the other side. Some asymmetries may result from lymphatic conditions (including conditions of the skin), injury, habit, and other factors, and may be related to other asymmetries or conditions. Many asymmetries can be corrected through stretching and exercise, but not all asymmetries require correction (rest is usually an important part of most forms of exercise). Most asymmetries appear normal, and most people seem to have some type of asymmetry.

See also:
Conditions of the skin

Muscle tension

In some cases, muscle tension may or may not respond to one or more of the following physiological stimuli, depending on various factors:

- Stretching and other appropriate exercise -- "Exercise" can include a number of techniques, programs, or activities. Rest is usually an important part of most forms of exercise.

- Applying heat or cold

- Massaging of appropriate muscles

See also:
Tension

Conditions of the reproductive system

Arousal in females

It has been suggested that arousal in females may or may not, depending on various factors, result from a number of physiological, cognitive, and environmental stimuli, and that different individuals may or may not, depending on various factors, respond to varying combinations of different stimuli. However, it is not clear whether or not the lymphatic system plays a role, though it would not appear to be a significant role.

Physiological stimuli:

- Gentle stimulation of the pubococcygeus and/or clitoris

- It has been suggested that there are a number of other physiological stimulation techniques that are being discovered as more research becomes available (5). Because different individuals may or may not, depending on various factors, respond to varying combinations of different stimuli, any given technique may or may not, depending on various factors, be appropriate for different individuals.

See also:
Conditions of the gastrointestinal system

Erection in males

It has been suggested that an erection may or may not, depending on various factors, result from a number of physiological, cognitive, and environmental stimuli, and that different individuals may or may not, depending on various factors, respond to varying combinations of different stimuli. However, it is not clear whether or not the lymphatic system plays a role, though it would not appear to be a significant role.

Physiological stimuli:

- Gentle touching of the penis and testicles

- It has been suggested that there are a number of other physiological stimulation techniques that are being discovered as more research becomes available (5). A possible example of one such technique may involve gently contracting the muscles of the anus and buttocks while gently contracting the lower abdominal muscles, along with other related muscles. Because different individuals may or may not, depending on various factors, respond to varying combinations of different stimuli, this technique may or may not, depending on various factors, be appropriate for different individuals.

It has also been suggested that research on physiological stimulation techniques, and possibly other stimulation techniques, may or may not, depending on various factors, involve certain issues regarding sexual relationship decisions. Making such decisions may or may not, depending on various factors, involve the following considerations:

- Try to be considerate of your partner’s cognitive factors
- Try to be considerate of environmental factors
- Try to be considerate of your partner’s expectations when obtaining consent
 

See also:
Conditions of the gastrointestinal system

Conditions of the respiratory system

Nasal congestion

In some cases, a nasal response may or may not result from stretching the muscles at the back of the head and neck, depending on various factors (5). Tilt your head back and squeeze your head down into your shoulders so that you feel it in your head, shoulders, and neck. This stretch can be performed while standing, sitting, or laying on your back. Depending on various factors, it may or may not be helpful to shave your head or shorten your hair (6).

See also:
Tension

Shortness of breath

In some cases, a respiratory response may or may not result from stretching the muscles of the back, shoulders, chest, and abdomen, depending on various factors. Hold your arms out and pull your shoulders down and together so that you feel it in your back. Push your chest out and expand your abdomen. Breathe deeply.

See also:
Tension

Conditions of the skin

Moles

A "mole" typically describes a number of lymphatic skin conditions that appear as dark, often raised "spots" on the skin. Most moles do not seem to cause problems for most individuals. However, some moles may or may not, depending on various factors, require examination and removal. In rare cases, certain moles may cause problems related to the muscular and skeletal system, which may or may not, depending on various factors, lead to other problems.

See also:
Conditions of the muscular and skeletal system

Itch

A number of conditions described as "itch" may result from irritation of the skin contributed to by poor circulation, along with other factors. Exercise, including stretching, may or may not improve circulation in many areas affected by certain types of itch, depending on various factors (rest is usually an important part of most forms of exercise.). "Exercise" can include a number of techniques, programs, or activities. Massaging the affected area may also improve circulation. Itching during some exercises may or may not, depending on various factors, indicate that circulation is improving.

Rash

A number of rashes or rash-like conditions may result from irritation of the skin contributed to by poor circulation, along with other factors. Exercise, including stretching, may or may not improve circulation in many areas affected by certain types of rashes, depending on various factors (rest is usually an important part of most forms of exercise.). "Exercise" can include a number of techniques, programs, or activities. Massaging the affected area may also improve circulation.

Eyesight
In some cases, eyesight may or may not respond to stretching the ocular muscles at the back of the head, depending on various factors (5). There are multiple factors that affect eyesight, so this may not be appropriate in a number of cases. The exercises described below do not appear to be effective in most cases.

Tilt your head back and squeeze your head down into your shoulders so that you feel it in your head, shoulders, and neck. Look "up" at the ceiling. This stretch can be performed while standing, sitting, or laying on your back. Depending on various factors, it may or may not be helpful to shave your head or shorten your hair (6). It can take a long time (weeks, months, or longer) before a response may or may not be noticed, depending on various factors.

See also:
Tension

Fatigue, amotivation, and sleep conditions
See Tension

Tension
What seems to be described in general as "tension" in various parts of the body may or may not, depending on various factors, respond to the following stimuli:

- A calming environment -- this may or may not be the most important factor in successfully reducing some forms of "tension," and in some cases, may or may not be particularly important if one's freedoms are abused. A "torture chamber" may or may not be characterized as a war-like environment in which you do not have the freedom to exercise, eat, drink, sleep, or "leave."

- Stretching and exercise -- "Exercise" can include a number of techniques, programs, or activities. Rest is usually an important part of most forms of exercise.

- Deep breathing

- Massage

- Meeting your nutritional needs

See also:
Conditions of the gastrointestinal system
Conditions of the reproductive system

Notes
1) For the purposes of this essay, "condition" means an undesired state expressed by an individual, such as a disease or an illness.

2) For the purposes of this essay, "treatment" means a method by which a condition, as defined in note (1), is changed, such as a cure or other relief from a disease or an illness.

3) These conditions are generally not understood to be lymphatic, and do not appear to be lymphatic. To the extent that the lymphatic system may or may not be involved, it seems to be involved in different ways in each of the conditions described. Generally, this involvement appears limited.

4) Metaphysical theories have enormous power because they help explain the world and resolve differences between people. Often, these differences are about social and moral issues. But how can a metaphysical theory about the nature of the world explain morality? One must include in their metaphysics a theory about how humans fit into the world. This typically involves a philosophy of mind based on whatever metaphysical proposal one makes. Social rules and morality are usually tied to one's philosophy of mind in one way or another.

Unfortunately, metaphysical theories have as much power to cause conflict as they do to help resolve differences. Sometimes, people encounter a problem in their life - social, personal, or professional - and they cannot solve the problem using any of the resources they have available. In some cases, people learn to deal with the problem in various ways. In other cases, there is a metaphysical theory, or part of a metaphysical theory, that provides a solution to the problem. But as the world grows and changes, theories are sometimes unable to provide answers to new problems. When that happens, some people despair, some people provoke conflict, and some people journey in search of better theories.

Should a good theory be whatever makes one happy? What if abusing other people's human rights makes someone happy? Wouldn't an objective theory be better? Wouldn't it be better to know about the world in a way that doesn't rely on someone's opinion? Some people say that an objective theory can be called the "truth." So, anyone journeying in search of a better metaphysical theory should search for the truth, right? But what happens if the entire world accepts a theory as true, and then new information is discovered that makes it false? What happens when a theory accepted as true causes people to suffer? What if another theory also claims to be true? Wouldn't that cause the kind of conflict we set out to avoid? If two or more theories appear to be true, then which one is objective? Is there such a thing as objectivity?

For more information on these topics, visit neoNewton.com now!

5) Use extreme caution, as undesired conditions may result in some cases. If you experience pain or any other sensation that you feel may be causing harm, you should stop. Remember, this information is not provided as treatment for any condition. Your doctor may have other treatment options that may provide successful treatment.

6) In some cases, gently pulling or brushing your hair may or may not have an effect similar to shaving your head or shortening your hair (See Note 5 above).

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