Lymphatic drainage massage, or manual lymphatic drainage (MLD), is a massage technique that helps improve the flow of lymphatic fluid through the body. Lymphatic fluid, called lymph, is a watery, protein-rich fluid containing white blood cells that help your body fight bacteria and viruses to keep you healthy. Performing self-massage for lymph drainage is a simple way to support your lymph health.
De La Heart Body Tool
Research shows MLD can help improve blood flow, reduce pain and inflammation, and promote healing when performed after surgery. Hundreds of lymph nodes are clustered in several key regions throughout the body. Understanding where lymph nodes are located can be helpful before you begin self-massage for lymphatic drainage.
Dry Brushing
Not only this, but it’s easy and simple to do, takes only few minutes a day and is very cheap. To get the best results from the lymphatic drainage massage, drink plenty of water before and after the session. In addition, eat a variety of fruits and vegetables and limit your intake of processed foods. Dry brushes or other tools can be useful in gaining access to specific areas, such as the glutes and the back of the legs.
- The lymphatic system is one of the most overlooked, yet significant systems in the body.
- Anyone planning on learning simple lymphatic drainage should learn how to do it from a specialist.
- Your body needs water to stay hydrated to keep your lymph fluid flowing properly.
- It’s best to choose a long handle that can easily reach to areas such as the back.
Health News
- MLD also increases blood flow throughout the body, which may help reduce inflammation, improve the range of motion of joints and muscles, and promote healing after injury or surgery.
- Proper technique is everything when it comes to lymphatic drainage.
- The following preparation methods will prepare the lymph nodes to bring in more fluid before a lymphatic massage.
Begin by stimulating the axillary lymph nodes in your armpits, which gets them ready to receive additional lymphatic fluid. Plan to shower after you dry brush since you don’t want to brush the skin after it has been softened by the warm water. In this article, we discuss the benefits of lymphatic massage, who may find it useful, and how a person can prepare for and perform it at home. Look for someone who is a certified lymphedema therapist (CLT) and preferably a physical or massage therapist with oncology and pathology training. However, surgery, medical conditions, or other damage can cause fluids to build up in your lymph system and your lymph nodes, a condition known as lymphedema. Mediastinal lymph nodes are in the middle of your chest, near the heart and lungs.
What is lymphatic drainage?
A healthy, active lymphatic system uses the natural movements of smooth muscle tissue to do this. One of Melas’s favorite—and most popular—ways to boost lymphatic drainage? Ahead, see some of her favorite ways to do them, and watch Melas’s Alo Moves 21-day Pilates Strong Lymphatic Flow video for a complete tutorial. A healthy diet produces less toxins and waste products, which reduces the chance of a clogged lymphatic system. Try to opt for organic products as much as possible to avoid pesticides and other chemicals.
Make sure to contact an herbalist for advice if you are on medication and avoid those herbal teas when pregnant or lactating. You can find here how to make lymph cleansing herbal infusion. As you can see, dry brushing detoxifies the body from the outside in and works on multiple levels. You can learn more about the concept of detox and how to use detox to energize and cleanse your body in the e-book The Detox Guide. Dry brushing also improves blood circulation and helps the lymphatic system release toxins, thus improving its role in fighting infections and improves the immune system.
Avoid processed additives, chemicals, and artificial ingredients. With the pads of your fingers on the apple of your cheeks, make the same gentle, downward, circular motion. Repeat 10 times, though you don’t have to stay in exactly the same place with each circle. Lymphatic massage is not suitable for people with infections and some other conditions. People with lymphedema should continue using compression socks or sleeves to prevent swelling.
This type of massage may help you if you suffer from swelling, tenderness, infections, hormone imbalances, fatigue, lupus, and depression and anxiety. Perform a lymphatic drainage massage two to three times a week. You can go to a massage therapist for this type of massage, but with proper technique and a list of areas to massage, you can perform a lymphatic drainage massage at home on yourself or others. While clinical evidence is required to determine the effects of lymphatic drainage, holistic practitioners assert that it is effective.
Owala FreeSip Water Bottle Dreamy Field
“I honestly try to do it every day, whenever I have time, usually at night before going to bed.” For an example of how to do so, see the brand’s tutorial below. Dry brushing has meditative benefits, especially if done in a quiet place. It may reduce muscle tension and calm your mind, just like a light body massage. It also helps in cells renewal, improves muscle tone, tightens the skin and reduce cellulite by releasing fatty deposits under the skin’s surface.
This expansive system travels throughout the body to remove waste from every cell while helping to regulate the immune system. It includes a complex network of vessels, ducts, lymph nodes, the spleen, the thymus, the adenoids, and the tonsils. And, in general, it’s always best to check in with a healthcare provider first.
Finally, lymphatic self-massage is also often recommended for people with lymphedema, a condition that keeps your lymphatic fluid from flowing as it should. But if you have a lymphedema diagnosis, you should always speak with your healthcare provider before trying it. Lymphatic massage aims to reduce swelling by relieving the buildup of lymph fluid in people with lymphedema or other conditions. Lymphatic massage aims to improve the flow of lymph fluid, which should reduce swelling.
To move waste fluids away from the damaged area, lymphatic massage, which uses a gentle pressure, can help. Clearing involves gentle strokes to release lymph fluid collected in tissues. Reabsorption involves soft pumps or sweeping motions to encourage lymph movement through the lymphatic vessels to the lymph nodes. The best time to do dry brushing is in the shower before washing yourself when your skin is dry. Dry brushing can be done on a daily basis and even twice a day. People who think they could benefit from a lymphatic drainage massage should speak with a physical therapist, preferably one specialising in treating lymphedema.