Unlocking the Brain’s Drainage System

 

At Salt & Light Wellness, we are passionate about walking alongside individuals and families affected by Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease. While physical therapy, medication, and nutrition play vital roles in managing these conditions, an exciting area of research is now pointing to a lesser-known but critical piece of the puzzle: the neurolymphatic system.

 

 

What Is the Neurolymphatic System?

It was once believed that the brain had no lymphatic system. But recent breakthroughs have proven otherwise, revealing two key waste-clearance systems in the brain:

• The Glymphatic System: Uses cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) to flush out toxins from the brain—especially during deep sleep.
• The Meningeal Lymphatic Vessels: Located in the brain’s protective coverings, these vessels transport waste and immune cells from the brain to the body’s lymphatic system.

 

Together, these systems help remove damaging proteins like amyloid-beta (linked to Alzheimer’s) and alpha-synuclein (linked to Parkinson’s). When these systems are impaired, the brain may become overwhelmed with inflammation and waste—accelerating disease progression.

 

 

What Does the Research Say?

Here’s what the latest science is telling us:

• In Alzheimer’s disease, blocked meningeal lymphatics worsen amyloid plaque buildup and memory loss.
• In Parkinson’s disease, impaired glymphatic and lymphatic drainage correlate with inflammation, toxic protein buildup, and worsening motor function.

 

Most importantly, restoring lymphatic drainage in animal models has improved memory and movement, offering a hopeful glimpse at potential new therapies.

 

 

How Can Lymphatic Drainage Help?

At Salt & Light Wellness, we offer Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD)—a gentle, hands-on therapy designed to promote the movement of lymph and support detoxification. While widely known for managing lymphedema, MLD may also benefit individuals with neurological conditions by:

• Supporting detoxification of the brain and body
• Reducing systemic and neural inflammation
• Improving sleep quality (which enhances glymphatic function)
• Offering calming, restorative effects that ease stress and discomfort

 

While human studies are still developing, many of clients report feeling more clear-headed, relaxed, and energized after neurolymphatic sessions.

 

 

Why Doesn’t Medicare Cover Neurolymphatic Drainage?

Although the early research is promising, neurolymphatic drainage is currently classified as experimental by Medicare and most insurance providers. This means it is not covered, even when performed by licensed clinicians like those on our team.

But we believe you shouldn’t have to wait for the system to catch up with the science. That’s why we proudly offer affordable cash-pay options for this service—so you can explore its benefits as part of your comprehensive care plan.

 

 

Our Expertise at Salt & Light Wellness

We bring together clinical insight and compassionate care to serve individuals with:

• Parkinson’s disease – Movement-based therapy, balance work, and neuro-rehabilitation
• Alzheimer’s and cognitive impairment – Functional support, education, and lymphatic care
• Lymphedema – Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT) with certified treatment
• Dry needling, wellness coaching, and supplement protocols via Fullscript

 

Whether you’re managing a diagnosis or looking for proactive ways to support brain health, we’re here to help.

 

 

Final Thoughts

Your brain and body are not separate—they’re deeply connected. Supporting lymphatic health may offer another way to lighten the burden of neurodegenerative disease and improve quality of life.

We invite you to explore this innovative therapy in a safe, personalized, and evidence-informed setting.

 

 

Ready to schedule or learn more?

Visit saltlightwellnessnv.com or call us today to book a consultation.

 

 

Research & References

1. Da Mesquita S, Fu Z, Kipnis J. Meningeal lymphatics in aging and Alzheimer’s disease. J Exp Med. 2018;215(9):2189-2197. doi:10.1084/jem.20180474
2. Patel TK, Habimana-Griffin L, Gao X, et al. Dural lymphatics regulate clearance of extracellular tau from the CNS. Mol Neurodegener. 2019;14(1):11. doi:10.1186/s13024-019-0312-x
3. Rustenhoven J, Kipnis J. Busting the myth of the immune-privileged brain. Trends Immunol. 2019;40(11):937-948. doi:10.1016/j.it.2019.09.003
4. Iliff JJ, Wang M, Liao Y, et al. A paravascular pathway facilitates CSF flow through the brain parenchyma and the clearance of interstitial solutes, including amyloid β. Sci Transl Med. 2012;4(147):147ra111. doi:10.1126/scitranslmed.3003748
5. Nedergaard M, Goldman SA. Glymphatic failure as a final common pathway to dementia. Science. 2020;370(6512):50-56. doi:10.1126/science.abb8739
6. Zou W, Pu T, Feng W, et al. Blocking meningeal lymphatic drainage aggravates Parkinson’s disease-like pathology in mice. J Cereb Blood Flow Metab. 2019;39(5):973-985. doi:10.1177/0271678X18803264
7. Lee HJ, Lee JH, Park SH, et al. Impairment of glymphatic system function in Parkinson’s disease evaluated by diffusion tensor image analysis along the perivascular space. NPJ Parkinsons Dis. 2024;10(1):15. doi:10.1038/s41531-024-00500-7