The BIG 6®: A Simple Way to Support Lymphatic Flow

A few months ago, I had the opportunity to attend a seminar and learn from Dr. Perry Nickelston, also known as The Lymph Doc. One of the things he taught was something called the BIG 6®. I’ll be honest, I loved it. It was simple, it made sense, and it was something I could actually take home and start using in my own life right away.

Since then, I’ve continued to incorporate it into my routine, and I wanted to share it because I think the lymphatic system is something most people just don’t think enough about.

What Is the Lymphatic System?

Most of us know about the heart, blood flow and circulation. The lymphatic system is another major system in the body, but it doesn’t get nearly the same attention. It plays an important role in moving fluid through the body, supporting immune function and helping maintain balance within our tissues.

What I find really interesting is that the lymphatic system doesn’t have one central pump like the heart. It depends a lot on movement. Muscle contraction. Breathing. Body movement in general. And anyone who has been around our office for a while has probably heard me say this before:

Movement is life.

The body was designed to move, and so many of our systems function better when we actually use them the way they were designed.

What Is the BIG 6®?

The BIG 6® is a sequence created by Dr. Nickelston that focuses on six major lymphatic areas in the body:

1. Collarbone — above and below
2. Side of the neck around C1/C2
3. Pectoral / axillary area near the shoulder and armpit
4. Abdomen
5. Inguinal area at the groin crease
6. Popliteal area behind the knees

The order is extremely important. That was one of the parts I found most interesting when I learned it. The idea is to work through these areas in sequence, starting closer to the main drainage points and then working your way down through the body. It’s a really simple concept, but gave me a much better appreciation for how important flow is throughout the body.

Why I’ve Enjoyed Using It

What I like most about the BIG 6® is that it doesn’t have to be complicated. There’s no fancy equipment. There’s no hour-long routine. It’s something simple that can be added into your day. And for me, that’s usually what sticks.

The more years I spend in practice, the more I appreciate the simple things that support health over time.

Are you moving?

Are you sleeping well?

Are you eating right?

Are you recovering?

Are you taking care of your nervous system?

Are you giving your body what it needs to function well?

The lymphatic system fits right into that conversation.

I’m not sharing the BIG 6® because I think it’s some magic answer to everything.

I’m sharing it because I learned something valuable, I’ve been using it myself, and I think it’s another great way to become more aware of how incredible the body really is.

Sometimes Simple Is Better

We have a tendency to look for complicated answers when it comes to health. Sometimes the answer is simply understanding the body better. Move more, breathe better, sleep, hydrate, and eat well.

Take care of your spine and nervous system.

Pay attention to recovery and support the systems that are working for you every single day.

That’s what I took away from learning the BIG 6®. It gave me another tool that I could easily incorporate into my own life, and I’ve really enjoyed doing it.

If you want to learn the actual BIG 6® technique and the correct way to perform it, I highly recommend going directly to Dr. Perry Nickelston and Stop Chasing Pain.

I’m grateful I had the opportunity to learn it from him, and I’m excited to share something that has now become part of my own routine. Sometimes the best things we learn are the ones that are simple enough to actually use. And for me, the BIG 6® has definitely been one of those things.

Disclaimer: The BIG 6® was created and is taught by Dr. Perry Nickelston / Stop Chasing Pain. This article is for general educational purposes only and is not medical advice.