When you consider the systems at work to keep your body healthy which come to mind? Your cardiovascular system, probably. Your respiratory system, maybe. Your immune system, no doubt.
A key player in your immune system is an unsung hero: the lymphatic system. Despite its importance, you probably rarely think about it or know what exactly it is.
So you’d be forgiven for not knowing there’s a way to help it work more effectively, particularly after surgery, illness or a traumatic physical injury. It’s called lymphatic drainage massage, also known as manual lymphatic drainage.
“It’s a gentle massage technique that works with the body’s fluids to reduce inflammation while supporting the immune system,” says Cypris Birkel, a board certified massage therapist who specializes in manual lymphatic drainage and is based in Greensboro, North Carolina. “This powerful work also affects the digestive, fascial, nervous and circulatory systems.”
What is the lymphatic system, and why does it matter?
The lymphatic system, also called the lymph system, helps your body fight infection and disease by removing cellular waste, toxins, bacteria and viruses. It’s part of your immune system, as mentioned, and includes lymph fluid, plus a bunch of different tissues and organs, including your lymph nodes, bone marrow, tonsils and spleen.
Your lymphatic system also helps with fluid balance, hormone movement and nutrient and fat absorption, Birkel says.
What is lymphatic drainage massage?
Constriction, blockage, infection or disease can make it hard for your lymphatic system to move lymphatic fluid. When that happens, lymph fluid accumulates, hampering your lymph system’s ability to do its job. A telltale sign of slow or blocked lymph movement is swelling.
Lymphatic drainage massage moves that pooled fluid toward major lymph nodes, so it can be filtered. Lymph nodes are located throughout your body. Easily identifiable lymph nodes are in your armpits and under the sides of your jaw. Softly touch those areas, and you’ll feel lumps: your lymph nodes.
What can lymphatic drainage massage help with?
Lymphatic bodywork can:
– support the immune system’s ability to work properly
– reduce pain, stiffness and swelling
“Even wearing a bra can impede lymph flow to the armpits, where our arms and breasts drain into,” Birkel says. “If you ever get sore armpits or feel heavy at the knees, manual lymphatic drainage can help.”
– aid the digestive system with nutrient and fat absorption
– soften and hydrate the body’s superficial fascia
– stimulate the parasympathetic arm of the autonomic nervous system, inducing calm
– take stress off the cardiovascular system
– counter lymphedema, a condition that can have serious medical consequences and occurs when the lymphatic system is damaged through injury or gets blocked by cancer cells, for example
How is lymphatic drainage massage performed?
As in other types of massage, manual lymphatic drainage is customarily done on a massage table, and session lengths vary widely, from 10 to 90 minutes. Duration and number of sessions needed depend on your specific situation.
During a session, the therapist uses light pressure against your skin to push excess fluid toward functioning lymph nodes. They focus on the body’s main drains at the outset, “opening the larger concentrations of vessels and nodes, such as in the armpits, before moving on to smaller, more proximal nodes,” Birkel says. Therapists usually tailor treatment to each person, paying more attention to certain parts of the body than others based on each person’s situation.
“However, whatever the focus area, the clavicle should always be the first and the last step of a treatment. This is the area where the thoracic duct begins to drain into the heart,” Birkel says. “If the lymphatic tutorial or treatments you are using do not begin and end at the clavicle, they are incorrect.”
And keep in mind that manual lymphatic drainage only requires the hands.
“If there is any massage lotion, oil, product, some sort of tool, or more than light pressure, it is not manual lymphatic drainage,” Birkel says. “There is a lot of incorrect information on YouTube and TikTok and other social media.”
A decent share of online demonstrations purported to demonstrate lymphatic drainage of the face are wrong.
“I have seen many incorrect facial techniques,” Birkel says. “The face drains in several directions, mostly downward. So if you are seeing ‘lymphatic facials’ involving upward motions on the face, that’s incorrect. Also, the clavicle, neck and behind the ears need to be treated first in order to properly address the face.”
Can lymphatic drainage massage be dangerous?
When administered by a properly trained provider, lymphatic drainage massage is generally safe. In fact, you can do a version of it on yourself (see below).
But lymphatic drainage massage can be risky for anyone with:
– cellulitis
– a heart condition or heart disease
– kidney problems or kidney failure
– blood clots
– deep vein thrombosis
– a sinus infection
– cancer (it should not be performed on any cancerous areas)
– illness, fever or acute infection
“You don’t want it if you’re feeling less than 75 percent well,” Birkel says.
Can I try lymphatic drainage massage on myself?
Given its gentle and fairly straightforward nature, you can try lymphatic drainage on yourself. The Cleveland Clinic has a short instructional video.
Other simple actions will support your lymphatic system too. Here are a few from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center:
Slow and deep breathing can help move lymph fluid.
Physical activity, even just a 15- to 20-minute walk, helps shift lymph fluid around your body and eliminate waste.
Dry brushing in circular motions starting at your extremities and working toward your core can keep your lymph system healthy.
Swimming is physical activity, which means it moves lymph fluid — but moving your body in water also creates compression, which aids fluid movement.
Tapping the area right above your collarbones lightly can activate the lymph capillaries.
Featured Products
The post Why Everyone on TikTok is Talking About Lymphatic Drainage Massage first appeared on The Upside by Vitacost.com.