Lymphatic Drainage Massage is a light, rhythmic, skin-stretching massage that helps promote the movement of lymphatic fluid throughout the body. It specifically focuses on the lymph vessels to help the flow of lymphatic fluid move out of the peripheral areas of the body and flow back into the trunk of the body, relieving congestion as well as removing vascular waste and immune system threats and pathogens from the body.
If you’re not on a trampoline everyday, this could be just the support your mind and body are craving to rid yourself of pathogens, stagnant fluids, toxins, and more. Let’s see how this how and why this type of massage is beneficial for everyone.
Lymph, a lesser-known part of our immune system, is a fluid that flows throughout the body, similar to blood. Unlike blood, which inhabits arteries, veins, and capillaries, lymph flows through “interstitial” spaces (spaces in the body where nothing else is present). Lymph flows this way because its function is to remove any foreign matter from an area of the body and move it toward the lymph nodes, where potential dangers are mitigated. For example, if you cut your ankle and dirt gets into the cut, lymph is there to pull any dangerous substances to the lymph nodes, where the lymph is cleaned and then circulated back throughout your body.
Lymphatic Drainage massage is applicable to the following conditions:
- Blood circulation problems (venous insufficiency, varicose veins)
- Swelling in arms/legs (edema/lymphedema/post-surgical edema)
- Decrease migraine occurrence/duration/severity
- Decrease pain and fibrotic tissue associated with Fibromyalgia
- Constipation relief
- Arthritis pain relief
- Reduction in stress/anxiety/depression symptoms
Direct effects on the body during the massage:
- Stimulates the immune system, increasing the body’s own defenses.
- Calming effect on the autonomic nervous system.
- Stimulates kidney functions.
- Regulates the body’s water balance.
- Lowers blood pressure
- Reduces stress
- Reduces pain and inflammation
- Softening of fibrosis (formation of fibrous tissues that can become painful)
- Improvement in mobility, range of motion, and comfort
What to expect from a treatment in a clinic
During the treatment, your therapist will treat any or all of the following areas: neck, head, face, arms, hands, chest, abdomen, legs, and feet. Many patients report a feeling of flowing movement during the treatment and their body feels lighter post-treatment. It is recommended to consume extra water during the first 24 to 48 hours post-treatment and you may experience increased urination during the same time frame. Most people find this type of treatment very relaxing, and quite often, patients will fall asleep.
While you can attend an MLD treatment with a qualified physiotherapist, understanding how to support your lymph system at home can be very beneficial and supportive of an overall treatement plan.
How to perform your own massage at home
According to Dr. Perry Nickelston, you can focus on 6 areas in sequences with a really simple massage technique that takes about 4 mins. This is a self-care practice that you could add cypress or AromaTouch oil blend to to assist in circulation and nervous system benefits. You can perform this massage at any time in the day though I enjoy it in the morning and several times a week and see how you feel. Use this simple video tutorial below or if you’re really inspired to take care of your lymphatic system and help others to as well, you can pursue the AromaTouch Certification Program and learn how to sequence the application of doTERRA essential oils with light massage techniques and lymph circulation to bring homeostasis to whole body.
Find out more about the full AromaTouch Certification program here. I thoroughly enjoyed learning the AromaTouch technique and use the hand massage technique most frequently when I’ve been typing a lot.
Try it out and don’t forget to breathe deeply and smile and enjoy your little massage. Tell us what you think and how you feel!
Until next time friends, be well + oil up!
References:
- https://remaleymassage.com/blog/lymphatic_faq.xhtml
- https://pereaclinic.com/benefits-of-manual-lymphatic-drainage-mld/
- https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/21768-lymphatic-drainage-massage
- https://www.physio-pedia.com/Manual_Lymphatic_Drainage#:~:text=MLD%20is%20a%20light%2C%20skin,the%20flow%20of%20lymphatic%20fluid.
- https://www.alphahealthservices.ca/migraine-and-headache-treatment-manual-lymphatic-drainage/
- https://www.centreforsofttissuepain.ca/fibromyalgia-study#:~:text=Because%20of%20these%20effects%2C%20and,the%20patient’s%20quality%20of%20life.
#reducestress #immunesystem #nervoussystem #selfcare #cypress #aromatouch
