Lymphatic Drainage Massage
The Lymph System--Most people are familiar with the blood system, but few understand there is another equally
vital system of vessels that cleans & removes excess fluid, viruses, bacteria, wastes from cell metabolism, inorganic
substances, water, fats, and proteins. This is the lymph (lymphatic) system & is the primary structure of the immune
system. Removal of protein is especially important because proteins draw water to themselves, so too much in the
interstitial spaces causes edema. Lymph is normally moved through the body with deep breathing & everyday
movement of the arms & legs, but sometimes the body needs some extra help from a lymphatic drainage session.
The lymph system starts as tiny vessels--only a single-cell wide--that eventually branch into larger and larger tubes.
Inside the vessels are one-way valves that open, pulling excess lymph fluid inside, & then slam shut so the fluid can’t
flow backward causing edema. Lymph nodes throughout the body filter the fluid and contain lymphocytes--little Pac
Man-like cells that attack & destroy foreign bacteria and viruses & even abnormal cells, like cancer cells. Nodes are
found mostly in the neck, sternum, armpits, groin, abdomen, behind the knees, and at the center of the hands & feet.
The lymph fluid finally empties into subclavian veins at the throat and then enters the bloodstream via the heart.
When the lymph system works well, we feel healthy & have a strong defense against illness. When it's sluggish or
blocked we can have swelling, feel tired, and be more susceptible to colds & infections. Also, if nodes have been
irradiated or removed during cancer surgery, the patient may develop lymphedema in the nearby limb and need
regular drainage.
Lymphatic Massage/Manual Lymph Drainage Therapy—Lymphatic drainage therapy (MLD) is very gentle. It
increases the flow of lymph & stimulates the production of lymphocytes, thereby enhancing immunity. Most lymph
vessels--about 70 percent--are located just below the skin. By using very light pressure (the weight of a nickel)
stretching specific places on the skin, a massage therapist can stimulate the lymph system to work more efficiently
and help it move the lymph fluid toward the heart. Your therapist will begin working at your throat and neck with very
gentle pressure, then move to your sternum, armpits & arms, abdomen, groin & legs, and feet. (Some areas may not
be worked on if you have had nodes removed, but a trained massage therapist will know how to work around that
area). Sometimes a session will conclude after the front of the body is drained, and sometimes she will drain parts of
your back and legs as well.
Per day, 2-3 liters of lymph are filtered through the system. Lymphatic drainage massage can increase the volume of
flow by as much as 20 times.
Deep breathing is an important part of MLD. In fact, everyone can benefit from deep, slow, belly breaths throughout
the day to bring nutrients to the tissues and speed up lymph flow to boost immunity and healing. During your session,
your therapist will work with you on an abdominal sequence with belly breathing to flush the nodes deep within the
abdominal cavity.
Who Should Get It? MLD can benefit just about everyone. If you're feeling tired and low on energy, or if you've
been sick and feeling like your body is fighting to get back on track, if you’ve had bronchitis or swollen glands,
lymphatic drainage would likely serve you well. It can cause a profound feeling of relaxation, detoxification, and can
give you a rush of energy.
Who Should Not Have Lymphatic Drainage? Those with cellulitis, untreated congestive heart failure, deep vein
thrombosis, fever, chronic venous insufficiency, renal (kidney) failure, hyperthyroid, are just some of the
contraindications for MLD. Your Lymphatic Drainage-certified massage therapist will know if it is safe for you to have a
session. Also get clearance from your doctor before setting up a session.
What it helps with—
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Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Post-surgical edema
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
Migraine/Sinusitis
Bronchitis
Detoxification
Strengthens immune system
Lymphedema after cancer surgery
Lipedema
How To Find a Manual Lymphatic Drainage Therapist—Check the website www.massagetherapy.com and see
their “To Find a Practitioner” box at the top of the page. Find a therapist based on your zipcode. Or, check
www.s4om.org & click the “Clients and Patients” tab to search by zipcode.
From www.abmp.com
Courtesy of: Massage by Julia, www.massagebyjulia.com