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— 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