Drink extra fluids, ideally 2–4 glasses of water, after each massage to help flush the body.
Massages can be dehydrating, so it's best to replenish your body with water. Drink 2-4 glasses of water after your massage to help properly flush out your lymphatic system. Drinking water helps flush your kidneys which are responsible for getting rid of toxins.
Looking After Your Lymphatic System
Drink plenty of water – Dehydration is one of the most common causes of lymphatic congestion which can further exacerbate existing lymph problems. Drinking sufficient water throughout the day encourages healthy lymphatic function and reduces water retention.
Be gentle with yourself after lymphatic drainage. Drink lots of water to help your body flush out the toxins and to prevent dehydration. Avoid alcohol for at least 24 hours afterwards and avoid hot baths, showers, or sauna's immediately after treatment.
Loosen tight clothing – this inhibits lymph flow. Increase the amount of water you drink over the next few days – the body will be in a state of high toxicity for a few days after the treatment. Reduce your caffeine intake (coffee, tea, colas) Avoid alcohol for 24 hours.
The other important reason why we drink water is to flush out the toxins that have been released by your massage, or 'helping the process of lymphatic drainage'. The more tension that is released during the massage, the more metabolic waste is released into your system.
1) Soreness/Stiffness – If you frequently feel sore or stiff, you may have sluggish or congested lymph fluid. You may also have lingering pain or tightness that cannot be explained. 2) Headaches – Inadequate lymphatic and sinus drainage creates inflammation and pressure which causes headaches.
Lymphatic drainage also improves circulation, relaxes the body and combats localized fat. Many clients report a slimmer waist and loss of excess water weight after their massage. After your massage your circulatory system can quickly remove any extra fluids and toxic build-ups.
A lymphatic drainage massage is a two-step process: Clearing: This step releases lymphatic fluid in your tissues. Reabsorption: This step moves your lymphatic fluid to your lymph nodes.
The frequency of lymphatic drainage massages depends on the patient. A gentle and non-invasive treatment, you can't necessarily overdo it. But, you should try and follow a specific schedule to get the most out of your massages.
Drink plenty of water – your massage therapist has just worked for an hour or more to move the lymph through your circulatory system. When you hydrate after a massage, you potentialize the effects. Eat a light meal – go easy on your body after a lymphatic drainage massage.
Possible side effects of lymphatic drainage massage can include: Increased urination/bowel movements: after the massage, the lymph waste will need to be removed from the body. This leads to an increase in urination and bowel movements, as these are the methods the body uses to eliminate lymph waste from the body.
The main lymph nodes are in the neck, armpits, and groin. Manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) can go where Deep Tissue massage and Swedish cannot - into swollen areas. Lymphatic drainage can leave you feeling exhausted.
After lymphatic drainage, some patients may experience fatigue, overwhelming thirst, and nausea or vomiting. It is also common to have an increased need to urinate soon after a treatment and for several hours thereafter, as excess fluids that were moved from the tissues are now ready to be excreted as urine.
This treatment has been demonstrated to show positive results, even after just a couple of massage treatments! Most patients need 4 to 6 weeks worth of Lymphatic treatments to remove most of the excess fluid; however, most patients can expect relief even after the first treatment!
The lymphatic system is a network of delicate tubes throughout the body. It drains fluid (called lymph) that has leaked from the blood vessels into the tissues and empties it back into the bloodstream via the lymph nodes.
Your arm, leg, or other part of your body has a little swelling at first, but gets bigger over time. The skin in that area feels tight, and sometimes has a tingling sensation. The arm or leg with lymphedema feels heavy.
Water is the best way to flush out and aid the body in proper eradication of these toxins. It is generally recommended to drink between 1-1.5 litres of water after a treatment, depending on the time of day.
Of course, lymphedema patients should be careful not to drink too much water, which can overwhelm the body and make swelling worse. Those with lymphedema should be wary of beverages that contain alcohol and caffeine, both of which can contribute to dehydration.
Many have reported that they feel a feeling of tingling or flow of fluid under the skin, much like a small stream. Others report the feeling of being able to breathe deeply for the first time in a while because of the lymphatic flow in the sinuses.