Aliyah Lymphatic Drainage is a therapeutic modality that uses both subtle and gentle techniques that create a pump for the lymphatic system, as well as massage-like manipulations to stimulate lymph movement throughout the body. The Lymphatic System is a complex network of vessels and ducts that move lymphatic fluid throughout the body. It is also responsible for forcing toxins away from healthy cells and carrying germ-fighting materials to cells when they are under attack by viruses and/or bacteria. Though the lymph (fluid) moves through the lymphatic system via small contractions in the lymph nodes and hydrostatic pressure changes (changes in fluid pressure between tissue cell walls) the lymphatic system can at times become overwhelmed. When this happens, the rate at which fluids are moved through the lymphatic system changes and pooling of fluids can occur. An example would be swelling/inflammation from damaged tissue, increased immune system activity or at times certain medications / pathologies can cause fluid retention. When these situations occur, the tissues remain engorged in lymphatic fluid which is a protein rich fluid. If this swelling remains for too long, it can begin to damage surrounding tissues due the acidic nature of protein rich lymph. The acidic nature of the lymph damages the body’s tissues if it remains stagnant over time. Tissues within the body have an elastic property which is vital for  movement and metabolic activity. When protein rich fluids stagnate, their acidity begins to damage surrounding tissues, which, in turn, defend and protect themselves by becoming thicker and fibrotic. This robs tissues of their elasticity.