TLDR: Performing the "Big 6" routine for lymph flow can have powerful effects on the body, including increasing blood flow, improving nerve response, and clearing toxins, but it may also lead to detoxification reactions, so it's important to stay hydrated and not panic if these reactions occur.
The lymphatic system is a critical part of the body‘s immune defenses and waste removal processes. But when lymph flow becomes blocked or sluggish, it can lead to inflammation, pain, and illness.
That‘s why lymph drainage techniques like the "Big 6" routine demonstrated by Dr. Perry Nickelston can be so valuable. This simple 6-step routine helps stimulate lymph nodes to push fluid through the body more effectively.
According to Dr. Nickelston, applying pressure and movement to lymph-rich areas in the right sequences "can have very powerful effects on the body" by:
- Increasing blood flow
- Improving nerve responsiveness
- Clearing metabolic waste and toxins
However, he warns that this lymph-stimulating routine may also produce temporary detoxification reactions. As lymph fluid circulates more freely it can mobilize waste products, causing mild headaches, fatigue, rashes, or flu-like symptoms.
While uncomfortable, Dr. Nickelston emphasizes this is not dangerous. Staying hydrated and avoiding panic can help you move through any detox period. The long-term benefits of improved lymph health are well worth it.
So let's walk through exactly how and why the "Big 6" routine works!
How the Lymphatic System Works
To understand the "Big 6" lymph routine, we first need to comprehend what the lymphatic system is and how it functions.
The lymphatic system is essentially the body‘s drainage network. It‘s composed of organs, ducts, and countless tiny vessels with valves that carry lymph fluid.
Lymph fluid originates as blood plasma that leaks from capillaries into body tissues. It delivers nutrients while collecting waste products, dead cells, viruses, bacteria and other toxins.
Rather than recirculating like blood, lymph relies on body movement and manual pressure to propel it through increasingly larger ducts back into the bloodstream. Concentrated waste gets filtered out by lymph nodes along the way.
That‘s why Dr. Nickelston describes the lymphatic system as "a passive filtration system that works based on pressure differentials."
In other words, lymph flows based on a high-to-low pressure gradient – just like water released from a high dam seeks the lowest point.
Learning to harness these pressure differentials is key to improving lymph flow manually.
Starting at the Center: The Collarbone
Since lymph vessels ultimately empty back into blood veins at the base of the neck, the collarbone area becomes the main drainage point for the entire lymphatic system.
Blockage here would be like a giant beaver dam clogging up an entire watershed. So Dr. Nickelston says regardless of individual lymph issues, unblocking the collarbone area should always be Step 1.
"It‘s like having a main sewer drainage pipe," he explains. "It doesn‘t matter how much I flushed my toilet. It‘s still going to get blocked because the street is blocked."
To decongest the critical collarbone lymph node cluster, he recommends gently rubbing and tapping the area under the clavicles, moving upward in circles towards the neck.
This helps absorb pooled lymph while stimulating additional flow down from the head. Just 5 minutes daily can make a big difference over time.
Tapping Out Toxins Along the Lymph Chain
With drainage improved around the collarbone bottleneck, it‘s time to move up and out along the rest of the body‘s lymph chain.
"Always go from the center towards the periphery," Dr. Nickelston advises, spreading his hands wide. "Because this is where the higher pressures exist in the body."
For example, starting again at the collarbone, you‘d want to rub and tap up the neck and around the ears before moving laterally out along each shoulder. Continue down the arms to the finger tips.
Then tackle each section of the core trunk – chest, abdomen, lower back – before moving down the legs. Bounce lightly on the balls of your feet to propel lymph flow up from the feet.
Finally, tap and shake out your hands for several minutes to finish off with the distal areas.
Target key lymph nodes with gentle circular rubbing and tapping movements. Here are prime spots Dr. Nickelston highlights:
- Spot #2 – Mid-neck region under the ears
- Spot #3 – Front of each shoulder joint
- Stomach, love handle, and lower back areas
- Inner thigh creases at the groin
- Under each knee
You‘ll know you‘ve found a tender lymph node when you feel a small bump or dense area. Spend 30-60 seconds working on each one.
Any kind of body bounce or light rebounding action helps propel lymph along while you work on specific sites. As Dr. Nickelston explains:
"All that rocking and shaking and vibrating creates kinetic energy and potential energy, which the body adapts to by improving circulation."
So feel free to add squat bends, torso twists, or foot taps as you tap out toxins up the body. This combination of targeted spot massage and overall movement makes the "Big 6" routine uniquely effective.
Benefits Beyond Lymph Flow
Clearing metabolic waste for improved health is the chief goal of the "Big 6" lymph technique. But increased lymph circulation also enhances other body processes.
For example, Dr. Nickelston notes that as lymph flow improves, nerve transmission and tissue responsiveness increase too.
"Nerves get choked by cellular debris like lymph fluid," he explains. Clearing obstructions restores neural pathways – providing a brain and body boost!
Furthermore, manually flushing lymph debris out of joints, fascia, and muscles means less inflammation and scar tissue. This allows greater musculoskeletal freedom and range of motion.
Dr. Nickelston observes his lymph clients commenting on unexpected benefits like easier turning of the head or deeper squats. They actually "feel looser" as lymph congestion decreases.
The reason comes down to the brain and nerves getting higher quality mechanical feedback. Enhanced "proprioceptive input" from joints and tissues means:
- Improved internal GPS – Clearer signaling to the brain about body position and movement.
- Decreased uncertainty – Increased sensory precision so the brain feels safer permitting more mobility.
- Upped capability – Allowing you to do more with less strain or compensation.
So while cellular waste removal is the overt goal, enhanced neurological flow underlies many secondary gains. The entire body gains more functional freedom.
Detox Reactions: What to Expect
While the "Big 6" routine offers phenomenal physical benefits, improved lymph drainage can also trigger some initial detoxifying side effects.
As stagnant lymph gets pushed through lymph nodes, they filter out backed-up metabolic waste products at a higher rate. This circulating debris can produce temporary symptoms until it gets cleared.
However, Dr. Nickelston emphasizes such detoxification reactions are normal and not dangerous. They may feel inconvenient as the body cleans house, but full resolution typically comes within 1-3 days.
Common temporary detox effects include:
- Headaches
- Fatigue
- Aches or chills
- Skin breakouts
- Brain fog
The keys are staying hydrated, resting more, and avoiding stress or panic. The sensations will pass as the lymph system regains equilibrium in its clearing efforts.
Over time, lymph congestion will lessen and detox episodes usually decrease in frequency and intensity. The long-view health gains make short-term detox a small price to pay.
Ready to Flow: Next Steps with the "Big 6"
Hopefully this breakdown gives you a clear picture of how and why Dr. Nickelston‘s "Big 6 Routine" for lymph flow works its magic.
It leverages meticulous lymphatic anatomy knowledge with carefully sequenced bodywork techniques. Combining targeted tissue massage with whole-body movement promotes drainage up and out the lymph chain.
Basic as it looks, the elegant cascade effects of opening bottleneck areas and propelling fluid differentials makes the "Big 6" routine profoundly powerful. Users often report rapid improvements in inflammation, immunity, energy levels, skin quality, mental clarity, and pain relief.
So are you ready to tap into better health?
Dr. Nickelston admits this generic routine is just the tip of the iceberg. For those wanting more custom lymph strategies, he offers everything from detailed self-help manuals to one-on-one therapy.
But if you're simply seeking an easy way to start optimizing lymph flow at home, give the basic "Big 6" sequence a try:
1. Rub and tap under the clavicles and up the neck
2. Work around the ear and shoulder joints
3. Target the stomach, sides and lower back
4. Massage the inner thigh and knees
5. Bounce lightly on your feet
6. Shake out the hands
Aim for 5-15 minutes daily working methodically from center out to the extremities. Deepen and extend motions as you get into the flow over 20-30 days.
And be sure to comment or reach out with any questions or feedback! Monitoring results helps customize lymph techniques.
Now flush away fatigue and brain fog by giving your body‘s drainage system an easy assist. Feel the flow with Dr. Nickelston‘s "Big 6"!