What is Lymphatic Drainage?
A massage technique that works on the lymphatic system to rid it of impurities, improve circulation, and reduce swelling. The Lymphatic System is a network of vessels that collects fluid from tissue cells throughout the body. These vessels return this fluid into circulation in the large veins near our heart. When this flow is interrupted or slowed down due to emotional stress, toxic chemicals in our food, problems with digestion, or waste elimination-our immune system can get out of balance resulting in toxicity and infection. The good news is that by using specific massage techniques on certain parts of the body-especially along these channels at key points-it’s possible to activate them again. Maintaining healthy lymphatic movement helps get rid of toxins without taxing the body’s energy. It also helps the immune system to function more efficiently by not allowing cellular waste to accumulate in the body’s tissues and organs, which can eventually lead to disease. The Lymphatic System is a major part of the Immune System. This leads us to a deeper understanding of why these two systems are connected, and how both work together as one whole unit.
Lymphatic Massage:
A lymphatic massage is a type of massage that is done to reduce swelling and tension. It also helps with detoxification by taking toxins from places where they have caused a blockage. There are three main types of this massage: effleurage, petrissage, and friction.
In effleurage, the therapist moves the arm in long strokes along the body from head to toe to stimulate the fluid flow from superficial tissues to deep tissue.
In petrissage, the therapist uses both hands, starting at one point on the body and then kneading or rubbing it vigorously. This may be done using multiple fingers or using downward strokes with one hand where another one will be used for upwards strokes.
In friction, the therapist uses her fingers to make small circular motions over a specific area.
Lymphatic drainage massage is done by a health care or other professional who specializes in medical massages. These may include a physical therapist, a nurse, a massage therapist, an athletic trainer, and an occupational therapy assistant. The person performing this type of massage will also have special training in how to apply them safely and effectively. They may also have been taught about anatomy and physiology so that they can use proper pressure levels based on the patient’s condition.
A lymphatic drain will last from 20 minutes to more than one hour depending on what areas need work and how much tension there is contained within muscle tissues. Because each session will be tailored to the patient’s needs, it is not known how many sessions will be needed on average. People with low pain tolerance may need fewer sessions while those with high pain tolerance may require more of them.
The goal for everyone receiving this type of massage is to keep swelling low and toxin levels down, which will allow muscles to heal after an injury or surgery. If a person has lymphatic cancer and/or lymphedema of any kind, they should never receive this type of massage without consulting their health care provider first. This is also true of people who have had recent surgery or who have tumors in their brain or spinal cord because the pressure on these areas could cause serious damage. During pregnancy, certain spots may be off-limits as well such as areas where the fetus is pressing on major vessels. People with infections should also avoid receiving a lymphatic massage because their body is already working to fight these infections and having another one could make it harder to heal.
Helpful for Thick Blood Patients:
People who are currently taking blood thinners, undergoing chemotherapy, or who have problems with clotting may not be able to receive this type of massage either. Getting a lymphatic drain done by someone without proper training and knowledge of their physical conditions could prove dangerous for them and those around them. Any kind of infection in the area that is massaged, including cysts and tumors, could lead to an increase in pain as well as other symptoms linked with the condition. Lymphoma patients should also speak to their health care providers before getting a massage because they are at higher risk for lymphedema.
Responsible for carrying away Toxins:
The lymphatic system is responsible for carrying away toxins and disease so that they do not interfere with other systems in the body. When it has been damaged, the fluid within this system does not move around as it should to help fight infections and carry away waste products. This type of drain helps encourage better overall fluid flow through the lymphatic vessels that have become blocked or damaged because of cancer, surgery, infections, trauma, or congenital defects. It also helps reduce inflammation and swelling associated with lymphedema which can cause pain and discomfort when too much fluid collects along with tissues.
Improve Blood Circulation:
Lymphatic drainage massages are used to improve circulation by encouraging the proper flow of the lymphatic fluid as it carries away toxins, dead cells, and disease. It is a complementary therapy that is used to improve overall health and quality of life for those who suffer from conditions such as lymphedema, cancer treatments, or post-surgical side effects.
Benefits of Lymphatic Drainage Massage:
Lymphatic drainage massage is important for our health because it has many benefits. It can help boost immune functions, decrease inflammation, improve circulation and relieve stress. It helps to move the lymph fluid around your body.
Lymph is a clear fluid that carries nutrients to cells for recycling and waste products away from cells. When the lymph system is working properly, it can prevent infections by attacking bacteria before they settle in any one place. It also supports the immune system by decreasing inflammation in the body. Inflammation can be present in many diseases such as cancer or Alzheimer’s disease.
Lymphatic massage often increases blood flow which gives you more energy and prevents fatigue by increasing oxygen levels, balancing hormones, and boosting hormone production. It can also help beat stress. When you are stressed, your lymphatic system gets blocked which affects your immune system and slows down the removal of toxins in your body.
Lymph fluid has a high protein content, which makes it very similar to plasma. When the plasma escapes into the interstitial spaces between cells due to cellular damage, swelling occurs in tissues. This is known as edema or inflammation when these swellings are in response to injury or infection.
Lymph nodes contain phagocytic lymphocytes that can fight bacteria or neoplastic cells found outside of their origin tissue within connective tissue sheaths known as lymph sinuses. This shows why massage helps boost immune functions by moving out waste products through sweat glands, lymphatic fluid, and blood capillaries.
The lymphatic circulation reduces toxins, waste products, and excess fluids in the body. This helps your immune system to function more effectively because it prevents infections from settling in one place by being able to fight bacteria, neoplastic cells, or any other infectious agents that are present in your body.
Lymphatic drainage massage is also known as manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) where a therapist will gently move their hands up and down on either side of the spine with light pressure for about 15-60 minutes depending on what they are treating you for. There are many techniques used around the world but this is the most common type used today in western countries. Other modern techniques include foot pumps, compression socks, bandages, and massagers.
What is Manual Lymphatic Drainage?
Modern MLD techniques were developed in the 1940s by a nurse called Emilie Conrad. She was having problems with her health and after seeing some success with treating herself, she developed this knowledge into techniques that made it easier for other people to massage themselves at home. Manual lymphatic drainage is a therapeutic massage technique that cools down the tissues and washes away toxins. Manual lymphatic drainage can be performed by a qualified therapist or on yourself at home. This technique is based on theoretical principles that are not necessarily scientifically proven.
The lymphatic system works in conjunction with the cardiovascular system to help transport fluid and blood cells around the body, removing toxins and or excess materials from tissues to be flushed or filtered out by the liver. This is a natural process but can become sluggish or blocked if there are too many toxins in the body’s system causing its’ problems. If you have any type of inflammation it will further complicate matters. It may benefit people suffering from acne, cellulite, psoriasis, eczema & dermatitis, obesity, respiratory conditions such as bronchitis, asthma & pneumonia among others. Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) works by clearing the toxins out of the nodes, stimulating fluid flow between tissues and organs, cooling inflamed areas to help bring blood supply to them for healthier cells.
Manual lymphatic drainage consists of a series of gentle massage movements directed towards the lymphatic system intended to enhance its capacity to drain fluids from the tissues into the bloodstream. The therapeutic effects are not well understood but it is thought that these actions help stimulate or activate certain mechanisms to flush fluids back into circulation (this is known as ‘lymphatic drainage). By doing this you can reduce swelling & inflammation and improve functions such as body temperature and your immune response system where illness is concerned. It also helps move lymph which will then work on getting rid of excess toxins that may be causing further problems.
