Kim Blackwelder, LMT

I have a last minute opening for tomorrow, Wednesday 8/5 at 11:30am for a 30 or 60 minute massage at SPA Professional Associates in Elizabethtown. Book online using my link https://www.massagebook.com/business/33917653/select-product/services or send a text to 502-275-1219.

I have an open spot tomorrow in Elizabethown at 11am for 60 or 90 minutes. To grab it, text me at 502-275-1219 or book online: https://www.massagebook.com/business/33917653/select-product/services

To all of my lymphatic clients or anyone interested in Manual Lymphatic Drainage, this article articulates what I sometimes struggle to explain during sessions.

"Breathe in through your nose, deep into your diaphragm, and forcefully out through your mouth," as I press on your abdomen is what you hear from me every session. I've had such a variety of reactions to this, some of you looking at me as if I'm pushing snake oil. Fair enough!

But this article explains the science behind it!

"Diaphragmatic breathing isn't just abdominal breathing for relaxation - it's the mechanical hand that reaches down and massages the cisterna chyli with every breath, converting a passive reservoir into an active pump for the entire central lymphatic system."

What this means is, those deep belly breaths aren't just a technique for resetting the nervous system. Those breaths literally keep your lymphatic system moving. Forget those vibration plates. Lay on your bed, lay on your couch, and BREATHE. In through your nose. Into your belly. Out through your mouth, pursed lips, forcefully.

I'm always here to remind you to breathe, give your body grace, and drink lots of water!

The cisterna chyli is the reservoir, not the pump.

Sitting anterior to L1–L2, just to the right of the aorta, the cisterna chyli collects lymph from the lower body, abdominal organs, and intestines via the lumbar and intestinal lymphatic trunks.

It has no muscular wall of its own to actively contract and push that fluid onward — it depends entirely on outside force.

The right crus of the diaphragm supplies that force. Anatomically, the right crus overlaps the cisterna chyli as it descends to attach at L3.

This isn't incidental — it means every time the respiratory diaphragm contracts and descends on inhalation, the right crus mechanically compresses and massages the cisterna chyli, squeezing lymph upward into the thoracic duct through the aortic hiatus at T12.

This is the direct structural link — diaphragmatic breathing isn't just changing pressure at a distance, it's physically massaging the reservoir with every breath.

The pressure differential does the rest. Beyond the direct crural squeeze, inhalation drops intrathoracic pressure while raising intra-abdominal pressure.

That gradient pulls lymph up through the thoracic duct toward the neck; on exhalation, the reversal helps draw the next volume up from the cisterna chyli below — the alternating "relay" Foldi described, where exhale empties the cisterna into the duct and the following inhale advances that column further toward the venous terminus.

The proof is visual and measurable.

Dr. Jack Shields' 1980 imaging study showed the thoracic duct visibly surge — described as "shooting like a geyser" — during a single deep breath, outperforming flow generated by walking or jogging.

He later termed this mechanism "central lymph propulsion" in his paper of the same name.

Diaphragmatic breathing isn't just abdominal breathing for relaxation — it's the mechanical hand that reaches down and massages the cisterna chyli with every breath, converting a passive reservoir into an active pump for the entire central lymphatic system.

As we transition from the cisterna chyle to the diaphragms, my coming posts will focus on the diapgragms and information included in my next article.

Keep in mind the correlation between this structure and how it is influenced by the balance of the diaphragms.

Whether you are a therapist or just someone interested in learning how to help your lymphatic system function optimally, this article is for you!

Follow, like and share to keeep learning with the LRT community!

Hi friends! I'll be out of town from today, Friday the 12th until Saturday the 20th! I will reply to all messages on Monday the 22nd.

You can still book online using my link: https://www.massagebook.com/therapists/kimblackwelderlmtllc

The week of the 22nd is almost fully booked, so if you want in during that week, NOW is the time to get on the schedule!

If you are in need before then, Courtney at Body Recovery Massage would love to help you!

Have a lovely week and see you when I return! 🌞

Have you forgotten to book a massage this week? Grab my last availability for this Wednesday the 20th! This is for Elizabethtown at SPA Professional Associates. Bardstown is fully booked for the rest of the week. I'm here for both therapeutic massage or Manual Lymphatic Drainage! The easiest way to book is online (Etown only): https://www.massagebook.com/therapists/kimblackwelderlmtllc

You can also text me at 502-275-1219 but please include your first and last name and desired time slot. If you're in Bardstown and want to book for next week and beyond, send me a text!

Have a lovely week, everyone! 🌞

I just had a cancellation in the Elizabethtown location at 12pm today for a 60 minute session. Send me a text if you want it! 502-275-1219.

Hi Bardstown and Elizabethtown 👋🏻 Just a reminder of the two gorgeous places I have the privilege to practice in. And to let everyone know that I will be out of town June 12th - June 20th which means two things: I'm filling my cup so I can pour into yours, and June is a shorter month which limits space. If you see me monthly, NOW is the time to get on my books, especially if you love your Saturday time slots. Those are a hot commodity and will be harder to grab during the month of June.

I'm at SPA Professional Associates in Elizabethtown on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and some Saturdays by appointment only. I'm at my home office in Bardstown on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and some Saturdays. Online booking is only available for Elizabethtown: https://www.massagebook.com/therapists/kimblackwelderlmtllc

Bardstown, text is best 502-275-1219. Considering it is my home office, the address is only provided 24 hours prior to your appointment and only after a deposit and intake form is completed.

I'm available for questions through text or call, but please bear in mind I'm a one woman show and your message will be answered within 24 hours (usually much sooner).

Today I'm beaming with gratitude, for this career I absolutely love with my whole heart, for clients who have been with me since massage school and/or my transitions, and for all new and future clients for trusting me with your care. ❣️ Thank you 🙏🏻

I have some openings this week in Elizabethtown at SPA Professional Associates for both therapeutic massage or manual lymphatic drainage! Let's get those muscles in shape for all of that work in those gardens 🌞🌻🌱. And if you're suffering from spring allergies, some lymphatic drainage might be just what you need!

The easiest way to book is online: https://www.massagebook.com/therapists/kimblackwelderlmtllc

Or you can send me a text at 502-275-1219. Please include your first and last name, what service you're interested in and duration (I offer 30, 60, and 90 mins) along with your email address. If you're unfamiliar with manual lymphatic drainage or unsure if it's a modality that would benefit you, I strongly encourage you to text me with questions and I'm always happy to set up a short phone consultation.

Elizabethtown! I have ONE more appointment time available for this week! Tomorrow (Wednesday 4/29) at 11:30am or 12pm. Grab it before Derby weekend 🐎 and definitely before you start all that hard work on those gardens! 🌻 Your muscles will thank you later 💪🏻

Hi friends! This week I have some availability in both Bardstown and Elizabethtown. Massage therapy is healthcare, not just a luxury. Although I provide massage for relaxation as stress is one of the biggest causes of ill health, I apply my knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and injury assessment in all of my sessions.

The easiest way to book if you're in Elizabethtown is my booking site: https://www.massagebook.com/therapists/kimblackwelderlmtllc

If you want to ask questions first, prefer the old-fashioned way, or if you're in Bardstown, please text me at 502-275-1219.

I'm super grateful to all of my existing and future clients 🌞