Lymphatic Drainage 101
The lymphatic system is an extraordinary and often overlooked aspect of human
health. The lymphatic system consists of various sizes of vessels and nodes that
serve multiple functions in the body. One of its primary functions is to return fluids
from the space surrounding your cells to the venous system for eventual elimination
from the body. The lymphatics are also actively involved in immune defense.
Finally, activation of the lymphatic system decreases the ‘fight or flight’ response
and increases our ‘rest and digest’ mode. Let’s look at this amazing system in a
little more detail to understand the importance of good lymphatic flow.
What is Lymph Fluid?
Your body is over 60% water by weight! About 15% of that is considered lymph
and interstitial fluid. Interstitial is simply an anatomical term that means ‘between
the cells’. This fluid bathes every cell in your body with life giving nutrients. This
same fluid becomes ‘lymph’ the moment is enters the lymphatic system. Lymph
fluid carries away excess water, proteins, cellular debris, metabolic waste and
pathogenic substances (virus, bacteria, toxins…) from individual cells to the lymph
nodes for eventual elimination from the body.
The lymphatic system is comprised of various sizes of vessels and nodes that return
lymph fluid back to your venous system. 70% of the lymphatic system is comprised
of vessels that lie immediately below your skin. All lymph vessels eventually lead to
one or two drainage junctions into veins that, for most people, lie just behind your
collar bones (clavicles). Once lymph fluid is returned to the blood, it is pumped (via
the heart) to your internal organs for elimination. The lymph system has it’s own
slow rhythmic pulse created by tiny muscles within the vessels themselves. When we
perform Lymph Drainage Therapy (LDT) we are manually increasing and
accelerating the volume of fluid being moved through the system. As we will discuss
later in the self-care section, exercise also plays vital role in increasing lymphatic
fluid movement.
What is Lymph Drainage Therapy?
Lymph Drainage Therapy (LDT) is a gentle, rhythmic manual technique to promote
increased uptake of fluid into the lymphatic system. A trained LDT therapist
places their hands on the body with no more pressure than the ‘weight of a nickel’
on the skin. The therapist then ‘listens’ to the lymphatic pulse of the body and
gently encourages an increase in flow with rhythmic movement. This movement
creates a vacuuming affect that draws fluid into the lymphatic vessels. The
therapist would pay extra attention to areas of restriction or sluggish movement. A
lymphatic session can be profoundly relaxing for the client. LDT stimulates a
parasympathetic (rest and digest) response during which your body is signaled to
repair and restore itself.
MICHELLE SANDERSON, CMT
916-215-2605
WWW.MSANDERSONCMT.COM
What Are The Benefits Of LDT?
Since the lymphatic system promotes immune function in the body, increasing
lymphatic flow encourages your body to fight invading organisms more effectively.
When your body senses an increased volume of fluid moving through lymph nodes it
signals the production of more lymphocytes (a type of immune cell) to fight
infection. For those of us working toward clearing our bodies of viruses, bacteria,
yeast and parasites there is a two fold benefit. Not only is your immune system
working more effectively to kill the organisms, the increased fluid drainage will
decrease the edema (swelling) our body sometimes produces to shield itself from
these invaders.
As we mentioned before, LDT directly stimulates a relaxation response in our body.
So many of us seem to live our lives in an over stressed state. Be it work, family,
finances, or a myriad of other influences, we so rarely take the time to allow
ourselves to fully relax and reconnect with our bodies. Living in this stressed or
‘sympathetic dominant’ state can lead to an overall decline in health, especially
immune function. LDT has not only promotes relaxation, but has an antispastic and
antalgic (anti-pain) effect.
Performing extremely gently LDT work within the viscera (the internal organs of
your abdomen) can be very beneficial for people suffering from constipation, IBS or
colitis and various other intestinal maladies. LDT promotes the drainage of
inflammation and encourages normal peristaltic (muscular contraction to push food
along) action of the digestive track.
LDT is an ideal form of bodywork both before and after surgical procedures.
Receiving one or two LDT session before a surgical procedure will promote the
drainage of toxins, stimulate immune function and relaxation. With your doctor’s
permission, LDT can be received as early as 24 hours after surgery. A skilled
therapist will know how to appropriately work around scar tissue. One of the most
important effects of LDT is the reduction of post-surgical edema, which can cause
pain, promote infection, and distort features, particularly in facial surgery
(Chickley 1997).
Self-Lymph Care
After you have received a LDT session from a qualified therapist you will better
understand the quality of touch necessary to effectively move lymph fluid. There
are easy and effective techniques you can employ at home to continue the benefits of
your lymphatic session. It is helpful to know that except in cases of lymphedema (a
special medical condition diagnosed by your physician) you cannot do lymph
drainage wrong. The system is designed with internal valves that will prevent
backflow of fluid. If you remember to sweep fluid back towards the heart, the
lymphatic vessels will find an appropriate pathway.
MICHELLE SANDERSON, CMT
916-215-2605
WWW.MSANDERSONCMT.COM
As mentioned earlier, the lymphatic system terminates into the venous system
behind the collar bones (clavicles). Line your middle three fingers up and place
them gently in the soft tissue behind your collar bone. Gently sweep these fingers in
a slow rhythm down and in at a 45 angle. Imagine that you are moving fluid down
toward your heart. These are the master drainage points for the body. By opening
these areas first, you are preparing your body for any lymph fluid from other areas.
The next four areas are best drained with full contact of your relaxed hand or flats
of your fingers. You have major groups of nodes in both of your underarms (axilla)
and your groin (inguinal). For each axilla, take all four fingers of the opposite hand
and gently cover the soft skin of the underarm. With very soft pressure, slowly
pump the axilla and picture yourself pushing fluid in soft waves in the direction of
your heart. Repeat this on the other side.
For the inguinal nodes it is probably easier to use the hand on the same side you are
draining. Place the palm of your hand softly on the junction where your leg meets
your body. There is a natural fold here where your hand will fit comfortably. Use a
soft, sweeping motion to send lymph fluid in the direction of your belly button. You
do not need to press into the tissue. The lymph vessels and nodes we are affecting lie
very close to the surface of the skin. We are using the skin only as a ‘hand hold’ to
traction the vessels beneath.
Once these major areas are cleared, you can use your gua sha, or dry brush to
gently brush the surface of your skin, sweeping fluid toward the nearest node group.
Use the attached diagrams of the body to understand which direction to send fluid.
Exercise plays another vital role in promoting lymph drainage. Any movement such
as walking, running, climbing, yoga, etc… contracts major muscle groups. These
contractions serve to pump deep lymphatic vessels in the body. Without the aid of
these muscular contractions, the body would have a difficult time draining some of
the deep pathways. This could eventually lead to stagnation and toxic build up in
tissues.
Gentle bouncing on a mini trampoline creates the same tractioning effect on the skin
as manual lymph drainage. This may be an ideal form of exercise for those with
compromised joints or are new to exercise. Mini trampolines are relatively
inexpensive and can be purchased with a stability bar for added safety.
It is important to choose a mode of exercise that works well for your body and you
enjoy. You will soon abandon any form of exercise that seems like a chore, no
matter how good it is for you! A simple walk to start your day or after dinner is all
you need to get your lymph pathways moving.
MICHELLE SANDERSON, CMT
916-215-2605
WWW.MSANDERSONCMT.COM
It is my sincere hope that in providing this information you feel more empowered to
take an active role in your own lymphatic health. My goal is not just to provide you
with beneficial bodywork services, but also to give you the knowledge you need to
continue the positive effects we create during your sessions. I am happy to review
this material with you whenever you need a refresher. Thank you for allowing me
to be your partner on your path to health. As always I wish you the…
Best of Health!
Michelle Sanderson, CMT
MICHELLE SANDERSON, CMT
916-215-2605
WWW.MSANDERSONCMT.COM
MICHELLE SANDERSON, CMT
916-215-2605
WWW.MSANDERSONCMT.COM
MICHELLE SANDERSON, CMT
916-215-2605
WWW.MSANDERSONCMT.COM