Chapman’s Reflexes (NLDPs)
Chapman’s Reflexes (a.k.a. the Neuro-Lymphatic Drainage Points in Touch for Health, NLDPs)
Chapman’s reflexes are a set of points on the body, which, when stimulated and held, have been found to encourage the drainage of lymphatic fluids from certain regions of the body. So doing appears to relax the involved nerves that are strangling the lymphatic downspouts – or the lymph return channels in the body (the body’s watershed).
This is a hands-on self-therapy for the stress-contracted lymph downspouts. When this drainage is impaired, we accumulate fluid (gain weight); we are stiff and sore, and with time we have joint problems. Chapman found that stimulation (rubbing/massaging, etc.) with firm pressure, would reduce and eventually remove pain and soreness in those areas indicated on the chart. Refer to my hand-drawn Chapman chart to identify which points drain which areas of the body. I have found through experimentation that there are other points that are useful as well, which we may have found at your appointment.
How-to’s: First of all, NONE of these points (Chapman points) on the body should be tender – but if you are reading this for the first time and try this – many of them will be. This is especially true for those with pain and swelling. The best place to begin is the upper chest area as these points are closest to the main drainage channels.
Begin by palpating the area to locate the most tender spot or what I like to call the epicenter of the pain. (Palpate means to slowly, with care press the area with the finger pads to determine its state.) The exact right spot, when palpated produces a stinging sensation. I tell my clients to look for the ‘bee sting on the bone’. The location on my hand-drawn chart of the Chapman reflexes is approximate. Palpate to find your exact spot. It is normally found on the top or the side of a bone. Stimulate the spot for about 1 minute with the amount of pressure that is tolerable (these points are normally very tender). Then reduce the pressure and HOLD it until a gentle pulsing sensation develops under the fingers (may take up to 5 minutes of gentle holding). Two bilateral points can be done at the same time – one with each hand. When holding 2 Chapman reflexes simultaneously, continue holding until the pulsations under each are in sync. With daily application, the soreness of these points is reduced and the lymph in the associated areas can drain.
Think of the downspouts of your house. When they are clogged with debris, rain overflows the gutters. In our body, the overflow collects in the tissue and causes soreness, swelling and in the extreme, weight gain. If you were to increase the diameter of the downspouts, the rain AND the debris would flow through the downspouts. Stimulating the Chapman reflexes opens the downspouts that were contracted or pinched off – usually as a result of stress, an emotional shock or a physical trauma.
Caution
If, after embarking on any lymphatic drainage technique, you detect any nausea, abdominal discomfort on the right hand side under the ribs (liver area), or flu-type symptoms, STOP and do the Gentle Liver Cleanse for at least a month. This means the lymph you are releasing is very toxic and taxing to your already congested liver. I have seen this many times. Don’t gut-it-out. Cleanse the liver gently. Then pick up where you left off.
©Pat Block ND 2007
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Pat,
I only came across this page when I was looking for Chapman’s Reflexes.
I love your website, and humor, and Important Warning and Thought for the Week. Thank you!
Thanks for your brief assay and the hand writing diagram. well done
I am so grateful for your site. I study it every day as I am trying to learn how to fight my breast cancer more effectively. Just had to take out a moment to thank you. May God bless you for your work!
Hey Christine, In your situation I would def be doing the HCl therapy with the KCl in it. Also review the Open the Exits strategy that I recently posted.
I’m happy to help.
Pat
Thank you so much, Pat! I have reviewed what you suggested and will be getting the HCl therapy with KCl going. It has really been your site that has opened my eyes to the lymph blockage causing cancer. I can actually feel a heaviness on my right side where the cancer has already deformed my breast. Everything that goes wrong in my body is always on my right side: the cancer, shingles, even if I get a sore throat it will be on my right side. After studying up on the lymph system it makes sense. I have incorporated jumping jacks and skipping in my daily walks since I don’t have the means to get a trampoline right now. I have also tried some of the Chapman’s reflex points on my sternum and they are excruciatingly painful! I have worked on “opening the exits” by changing my diet to organic, mostly raw with juicing (kale, beets, carrots, celery and also small amounts of garlic, turmeric and ginger), eliminating almost all animal protein (only occasional fish if I feel I need it). I have recently started with the Essiac tea, and I am also juicing fresh green marijuana leaves when available (non-psychoactive when not heated or dried). I have eliminated wheat and dairy products also. My grains include Quinoa, occasional basmati rice, and I use Chia seeds and hemp seeds in my smoothies with bananas and pineapple or papayas….I live in Hawaii 🙂 I am trying hard to beat this, Pat, and again want to thank you because your website not only gives knowledge but also inspires with hope, a very important ingredient. Since I started with all these major lifestyle changes 6 months ago (that is also when I moved to Hawaii) I have lost 65 lbs! So something I must be doing right….just need to do it even “righter” to get rid of the cancer and the shingles. God bless and thanx again!
Hi Ms. Block,
Thanks for the great info on your site! Q: your hand-drawn Chapman’s points is the best graphic I have found. Q: some lower body points are marked “PA”. What does this mean?
Thanks,
JJ
Thanks JJ,
PA=Posterior Aspect
Pat
Hi,
I found your site after a search for the effects of NAC or arm glands.
I took one 600mg capsule of NAC at lunch yesterday for the first time. I had been looking for a supplement to improve my throat and reduce mucus. I like to sing and have had a sensation of feeling like I need to clear my throat.
When I woke up this morning, I had a slightly swollen face but my right inside upper arm had a weird tightness like a knot in it that what a tenderness when stretched, and fell like something inside was ‘pulled’.
In 2010- six years ago- I had liposuction on both arms that ended badly in severe cellulitis in both arms. It took a long time for it to go away. I am worried that the NAC has reactivated the problem.
I did not injure myself yesterday, or exercise. The only thing I did differently was take the NAC.
What is your advice
Hello Missy,
My advice would be decongest your liver before instigating lymphatic movement.
Pat
I truly enjoy examining on this web site, it holds superb articles.