title: Lymphatic pump treatment enhances the lymphatic and immune systems.
abstract: The osteopathic medical profession has long advocated the use of osteopathic lymphatic pump treatments (LPT) to improve lymphatic circulation, reduce edema and combat infectious disease. However, until recently, there was no scientific evidence that LPT enhances function of the lymphatic and immune systems. This review discusses the physiological functions of the lymphatic system, the ability of LPT to increase lymph flow under normal and experimental conditions, the clinical benefits of LPT, current research models for the study of LPT and the potential mechanisms by which LPT enhances lymphatic and immune function.
authors.affiliation: Osteopathic Research Center, University of North Texas Health Science Center, 3500 Camp Bowie Boulevard, Fort Worth, TX 76107, USA. lisa.hodge@unthsc.edu
authors.forename: Lisa M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Hodge
authors.forename: H Fred
authors.initials: HF
authors.lastname: Downey
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System / Q000502:physiology*; D017053:Infection Control / Q000379:methods; D008196:Lymph / Q000502:physiology; D008208:Lymphatic System / Q000502:physiology*; D026301:Manipulation, Osteopathic / Q000379:methods*