Your Sagebrush Wellness Experience Just Got Better (Plus: A Gentle Practice to Support Your Body’s Natural Detox)
I'm so excited to share what we've been working on behind the scenes at Sagebrush! If you've visited our website recently, you might have noticed some changes. And if you haven't stopped by in a while, well—you're in for a treat.
We've been busy expanding the ways we can support you on your wellness journey, and I wanted to take a moment to walk you through what's new and how these resources can serve you.
Welcome to Your New Member Resources Hub
We've created a dedicated member resources area that's designed to be your go-to space for education, support, and practical tools. And the best part? You can access it right now with a free Community Pass. Sign Up or Login Here: Member Resources
Here's what you'll find inside:
Educational Workshops & More -
We're continuously adding content to support your learning and recovery journey. In fact, our recent VFI Masterclass replay is already available in the library, and we'll be adding new workshops and educational content regularly.
Document Library - Access guides, resources, protocols and more—all in one organized space. No more hunting through old emails or bookmarks. Everything you need is right at your fingertips.
Meet Sage, Your Wellness Guide - We've added a helpful automated assistant named Sage who can answer your questions, help you navigate the website, and provide information about our programs. Think of Sage as your friendly assistant, available 24/7.
Wellness Challenges - We're offering a variety of wellness challenges—some free, some at a cost—to help you build sustainable habits and connect with our community.
FREE Terrain Assessment Tool - If you're just starting to explore root cause wellness, this is a beautiful place to begin. Our Terrain Assessment helps you understand where your body might need support and gives you a personalized starting point for your healing journey. More information on our homepage or you can learn more here: Terrain Assessment Tool
And because I want you to feel completely comfortable exploring everything we've built for you, I'm creating a video walkthrough that will be available in the next day or so. I'll guide you through the member area, show you where everything is, and help you make the most of these resources.
Speaking of Valuable Resources...
One of the practices I'm passionate about teaching is lymphatic drainage massage. It's such a gentle, nurturing way to support your body's natural detoxification processes, and it's something you can do for yourself at home.
Your lymphatic system is one of your body's most important drainage pathways. Keeping that lymph fluid moving is essential for detoxification, immune support, and overall vitality. And unlike your cardiovascular system (which has your heart pumping blood), your lymphatic system doesn't have a built-in pump. It relies on movement, muscle contractions, and yes—gentle massage—to keep everything flowing.
Why Lymphatic Drainage Matters for Your Recovery
When your lymphatic system is sluggish, you might notice puffiness, brain fog, or that feeling of being "toxic" or inflamed. This is especially common when you're dealing with autoimmune conditions or chronic illness. Your body is working hard to process and eliminate what doesn't serve you, and supporting your lymphatic flow is one of the most loving things you can do to help.
I've shared an instructional video here from Dr. Kelly Sturm, a Certified Lymphedema Therapist, that walks you through a complete lymphatic drainage routine. But right now, I want to share some of the foundational movements with you so you can start experiencing the benefits right away.
Your Gentle Lymphatic Massage Practice
Before we begin, let's talk about touch. This isn't deep tissue massage. Lymphatic drainage is incredibly gentle—we're talking feather-light pressure. You're not trying to dig into muscles or work out knots. Instead, you're gently encouraging fluid to move in the direction of your lymph nodes.
The pressure should feel like you're petting a cat or dog—that's how light we're going. You want to use enough pressure to move the skin, but not so much that you're pressing into the muscle underneath.
Starting at the Neck: Your Drainage Central
We always begin at the neck because this is where your lymphatic system ultimately drains. Think of it like unclogging a drain—you start at the endpoint and work your way back.
Place your fingers at the base of your skull, just behind your ears, and gently stroke down the sides of your neck toward your collarbones. Do this 10 times on each side. You're creating a pathway for lymph to flow.
Next, work the front of your neck. Place your fingers at your jawline and gently stroke down to your collarbones. Again, 10 repetitions. You might feel a subtle shift—maybe a gentle tingling or warmth. That's your lymph beginning to move.
The Supraclavicular Area: Your Body's Major Junction
Just above your collarbones is an area we call the supraclavicular region, and it's incredibly important. This is where your lymphatic system drains into your circulatory system—it's like the final checkpoint before everything gets processed and eliminated.
Place your fingers in the little hollow just above your collarbones and make gentle J-shaped strokes, moving from the center outward toward your shoulders. Do this 10 times. Then reverse it—starting at your shoulders and moving inward. Another 10 times.
This simple movement can make such a difference in how you feel, especially if you're dealing with congestion, puffiness, or that heavy, toxic feeling.
Face & Jaw: Releasing Tension & Puffiness
Our faces hold so much tension, and many of us don't realize how much lymph can accumulate here. Let's give your face some loving attention.
Start at your forehead. Place your fingers in the center and gently sweep outward toward your temples, then down in front of your ears toward your neck. You're directing lymph down and out. Do this 5 times.
For your cheeks, start at the sides of your nose and sweep outward toward your ears, then down toward your neck. Another 5 repetitions.
And don't forget your jaw! So many of us hold stress in our jaws. Place your fingers at your chin and sweep along your jawline toward your ears, then down your neck. Five times here too.
If you wake up with a puffy face or feel sinus congestion, this facial drainage routine can be wonderfully helpful.
The Underarms: A Major Lymph Node Station
Your armpits contain a significant cluster of lymph nodes, and stimulating this area helps drain lymph from your arms, chest, and upper back.
Place your hand on the opposite armpit and make gentle circular motions—10 circles in one direction, then 10 in the other. Then switch sides.
You might feel some tenderness here, especially if you're fighting an infection or dealing with inflammation. That's okay. Just be extra gentle and honor what your body is telling you.
Making This Practice Your Own
The beautiful thing about lymphatic drainage is that you can do it anywhere, anytime. While you're watching TV. In the bath. Before bed. First thing in the morning. Even just a few minutes can make a noticeable difference in how you feel.
I encourage you to approach this as a practice of partnership with your body. You're not forcing anything. You're not fixing anything. You're simply supporting the incredible intelligence your body already has.
Some days you might do the full routine. Other days, maybe just the neck and face. There's no wrong way to do this. Listen to your body and give yourself what feels nurturing.
Your Invitation to Explore More
This lymphatic drainage practice is just one example of the kind of supportive, educational content you'll find in our member resources area. We're building a library of tools, practices, and information designed to empower you as the health detective in your own recovery journey.
If you haven't already, I'd love to invite you to sign up for your free Community Pass.
You'll get immediate access to our educational workshops (including the complete lymphatic drainage routine with Dr. Kelly Sturm), our document library, and all the resources we're continuously adding.
And keep an eye out for that video walkthrough I mentioned—I'll be showing you around the member area and helping you discover everything that's available to support you.
Remember, dear one: your body knows how to heal. Sometimes it just needs a little support, a little encouragement, and a lot of patience and love.
Here's to your vibrant health,
Melissa