Swelling is a result of fluid build-up between our cells when our lymphatic system is overwhelmed and can't effectively do its job -- which is to move around waste from our cells.

It's common and can be severe and pervasive after physical blunt trauma and surgery --especially plastic surgery, including face lifts and tummy tucks, and breast cancer mastectomy when lymph nodes under an armpit are often removed. The best treatment for swelling, which many surgeons refer, is MLD massage: Manual Lymphatic Drainage.

After a horse accident landed me in the trauma ER and serious injuries caused serious swelling, MLD massage worked liked magic with immediate visible results, under the experienced and gentle hands of Certified Lymphedema Therapist and Board Certified Massage Therapist Kathleen Lisson, CMT, CLT of Solace Massage & Mindfulness.

"Your body has to move to prevent serious swelling, which is why you're made to get up and move right after surgery," Lisson explains. "When you're debilitated or in serious trauma pain and not moving around, it means your lymphatic system can't move waste around, causing the intercellular fluid build-up."

MLD massage is very light touch with super gentle motions to get the fluid moving and absorbed. It also stimulates the parasympathetic system that helps us rest and digest (the opposite of the sympathetic system, which drives adrenaline for fight or flight.

"MLD is very calming, and has an additional somewhat metaphysical affect that helps nurture and relax our traumatized spirit as well as our body, and soothe our mind. People often fall asleep on the table, and that means it's working inside as well as out," said Lisson as I gently nodded off.

It's a known fact that our bodies need sleep to heal -- for our body and brain's ability to function, and also for healthy hair and skin. But did you know that our pillows are typically a gross ecosystem of dust mites, bacteria, pollutants, allergens and fungi, that all thrive on our hot sweaty pillows as we sleep -- and also suck our night cream and natural essential oils from our face.

I'd heard of The Night Pillow that claims to repel allergens, stimulate melatonin, prevent hair loss with its special Trisilk silky material surface, provide optimal moisture levels through the night for healthier, shinier hair, and hydrate skin cells to refine wrinkle. The Night Pillow technology also claims to hydrate cells to minimize and refine wrinkles, prevent breakouts, and even improve the effectiveness of face creams.

I was dubious. I tried it. I'm sleeping better. My hair is shinier, my face is smoother -- and I'm now a convert.