Your health needs draining. Lymphatic Drainage Massage—What can it do for your health?

Your health needs draining. Lymphatic Drainage Massage—What can it do for your health?

Lets find out.

BY MELISSA STEPHENSONPublished: march 14, 2023

What are Lymphatic drainage massages anyway? These luxurious spa treatments have been celebrity favorites for a long time, but why are they so popular? Well, they have many benefits. Claims are that they help to flush toxins, rev up immunity, and get rid of water weight/bloating. What's the facts behind the matter?

The lymphatic system is a network made up of vessels and organs under your skin and is a very important part of your immune system. It works like a garbage disposal for your body. Cool huh?

The lymph system is our "sanitation" system; it protects us from infection and takes out the trash our body produces and the trash that invades it. The massage is designed to work specifically on one area of drainage at a time. This process allows targeted drainage to get ride of excess fluids, toxins, swelling, elimination and overall circulation. 

Let's dig deeper.

How do lymphatic drainage massages work?

Unlike a deep pressure massage, lymphatic drainage uses light pressure since the system is so close to the skins surface. That said, the sequence in which the massage is performed is important for proper drainage. The massage is worked from the closest part to the middle of the body and made way to the outer most parts like the extremities). The lymph nodes are massaged fo drain and prepare to refill. You know how you have to take out the trash once its full, therefore you release the toxins and you prepare for new waste? Kind of like our gastrointestinal system. TMI?

Signs that your lymphatic system could be backed up?

Constipation

Sluggish bowels

Inability to lose weight

Headache

Brain fog

Swollen lymph nodes

Lack of energy

Morning soreness/stiffness

Swelling in extremities

Arms fall asleep during the day

Spinal/shoulder pressure

Sore breasts with menstrual cycle

Itchy, dry skin

Acne skin

Recurrent sore throats

Mucus in the morning

Mucus drainage

Fluid backup in ears

Ear popping/ringing

Inability to fight infection/weak immunity

What are the benefits of lymphatic drainage?

Clogged systems equal health problems relative to the fact that all of our cells depend on lymphatic fluid which is full of white blood cells which fight disease. The lymphatic fluid transports substances, helps aid communication between the cells and allows them to function. It's a full network really. When damaged, that network no longer communicates or transports as necessary and can cause swelling, infection, weight gain, toxic build up, etc,. 

Signs you may need lymphatic drainage include injury to a lower limb, swelling, infections, muscle stiffness. These issues are usually a result of surgery, infection, trauma, autoimmune or chronic disease.

How often can you get a lymphatic drainage massage?

Massages can be done anywhere between once or four times a month. So whether you choose to do them weekly or less, it really is a matter of preference. Keep in mind that one area is worked on at a time. So if your massage is for the abdomen, the area of focus for the full hour will be the abdomen. Also keep in mind that multiple sessions are more beneficial than one. So taking the time to plan out your regimen with the guidance of the massage therapist is essential for success. 

If the massage is being done for post surgical reasons, it is essential that a regimen is followed and multiple sessions completed as instructed by the therapist.

What other ways can I increase lymphatic drainage?

You can try other ways to help increase circulation and also increase lymphatic drainage. 

These include: 

Dry brushing

Contrast hydrotherapy

Tapping and light cardiovascular activity

Alternating between hot and cold during showers and going for a light run are great options for lymph system stimulation.