What is it?
"Lymphatic Drainage" you say.. "Why do I need that?"
Well, let me tell you, there are many reasons why you need lymphatic drainage in your life!
Lymphatic Drainage Massage is a form of gentle massage that encourages the drainage of lymph nodes and the movement of lymph fluids around the body...
The fluid in the lymphatic system helps remove waste and toxins from the body tissues, some of which are brought on by health conditions that cause the build up of lymph fluid. These types of lymphatic massage can benefit those with lymphedema, fibromyalgia amongst many others!
What is lymphatic drainage massage used for?
Also known as manual lymphatic drainage, this type of treatment is a gentle form of massage used to relieve painful swelling throughout the face and body. 'Lymphedema' happens when your tissues retain fluid left behind after the cardiovascular system sends blood to your organs. That fluid remaining is called Lymph! Normally, your lymphatic system collects the lymph and returns it to your heart via a network of vessels and lymph nodes. However, if something disrupts this process, the lymph collects in areas around the body, which can then cause swelling.
Therapists use lymphatic drainage massage techniques to move this left over lymph to the lymph nodes, to help ease the swelling... super clever! Massaging an area without swelling will make space for fluid to flow to those parts of the body that are more congested.
There are two types of drainage:
Manual - A qualified therapist will perform this
Simple - Simple lymphatic drainage is a technique that you can do yourself at home!
Anyone planning on learning simple lymphatic drainage should do so from a trained specialist. It is extremely important you know which area to massage, what direction and how much pressure to use...
What are the symptoms of a poor lymphatic system?
-Swelling in areas such as arms, legs, hands or feet which can affect mobility.
-Swelling other areas such as the chest, breast, shoulder, face & groin
-Pain & changes in feeling/sensation
-Feeling of heaviness
-Difficulty fitting in your clothes
Here are some of the conditions that can benefit from lymphatic drainage massage...
-Rheumatoid arthritis
-Fibromyalgia
-Chronic venous insufficiency
-Lipedema
Though lymphatic drainage was more traditionally used to treat the above side effects, in more recent years it has been introduced into facials as a weapon against puffy, dull and ageing skin.. helping to improve complexion and skin irritation, even in some cases lifting and tightening without the need for a facelift!!!! WOW.
How often should I get one!?
Depending on the severity of the symptoms, your suggested treatment plan may be daily over a few weeks and become less frequent as time goes on and your symptoms improve. If you can, scheduling a massage every couple of weeks would be really beneficial to your body and mind, as body massage can have many positive changes to your lifestyle... reducing stress, removing toxins and negative energy, aiding sleep and of course relieving you of aches and pains brought on from health conditions, as well as daily life!
When was the last time you had a massage??
RSS Feed
