It is not painful, and in fact is very relaxing and therapeutic. The lymphatic system runs very close to the skin, ie the surface of the body. To stimulate it's flow, your massage therapist will very gently move and stimulate the skin. This is to not compress the lymph vessels and maximise the flow and drainage.
A lymphatic drainage massage uses pressure applied to key areas to unblock the flow. This technique is completely painless, as constant soft pressure is applied and increased slowly.
During the massage, your practitioner will focus on areas that house your main lymph nodes, such as your armpits, groin, and neck. Your practitioner will use very light pressure and long strokes to move the lymph fluid in a way that the organs will be able to effectively eliminate the toxins.
The waste products are released from the body with increased urination. What do you feel after the lymphatic drainage? Generally, your limbs feel light, you are more relaxed, you see a reduction in the appearance of cellulite, and feel more energy.
Generally speaking, lymphatic drainage massage is a safe treatment to relieve lymphedema. There are some conditions and circumstances where lymphatic drainage massage is not recommended: You have a heart condition. You have kidney failure.
Acute inflammation, Malignant tumors, Thrombosis and major heart problems are all contraindications to lymphatic drainage massage. Lets look at these one at a time.
Depending on the severity, most cases should begin to see results after 1-2 sessions. Frequency is dependent on the clients goals and how congested the lymph system is.
The bottom line
Lymphatic massage, or manual lymphatic drainage, has proven benefits for people who have lymphedema or are at risk for developing it. It could possibly help improve overall health in others, but those benefits aren't yet backed by research.
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.
How often should you get a lymphatic drainage massage? For the best effects, a professional may recommend lymphatic drainage from once per month to once per week. For home use, they may also advise the person massage one to two body parts per day.
What to Know Post-Appointment. Simply put, you're going to pee a lot, and you'll feel the urge almost immediately after your massage. (As lymphatic drainage massages move fluids in the body, they're expelled via urination.) The good news is that the more you pee, the better the results.
The entire process should take about 15 to 20 minutes, but after care is perhaps the most important part of the equation. Lanini recommends prioritizing hydration for 48 hours post treatment to promote drainage.
Lymphatic drainage massage eliminates excess water, toxins, bacteria, and metabolic waste from the cells of the body. It is known to significantly reduce body pain, which gives you both mental and physical comfort after the treatment.
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.
Secondary lymphoedema
Symptoms may include a feeling of tightness and heaviness in a limb, altered sensation, tenderness, reduced range of movement. The oedema is initially pitting, however, over time it becomes non-pitting. The skin can ooze a clear or yellow fluid, and/or can have a foul-smelling odour.
When you receive a lymphatic drainage massage, the flow and circulation of the lymph is encouraged. This means they are able to circulate throughout the body more freely, collecting more toxins as they go. The end result is a decreased number of toxins in your body, and therefore a body that is fully cleansed.
The implementation of proper techniques and lymphatic massage tools leads to an increased flow making it easier for the organism to flush out waste and leads to the process of detoxification. Even though this type of non-invasive treatment carries many benefits, sometimes patients may feel sick after it.
The largest nodes are in the neck, groin, and armpits. They all work together to make sure "clean" lymph is transported back to the veins that carry blood toward the heart. Lymphatic drainage massage has been used for people with lymphedema, which involves swelling, generally in one of your legs or arms.
Collecting ducts: Lymphatic vessels empty the lymph into the right lymphatic duct and left lymphatic duct (also called the thoracic duct). These ducts connect to the subclavian vein, which returns lymph to your bloodstream.
If your limbs are swollen you may experience aching, heaviness, difficulty with movement, repeated skin infections, hard and tight skin, folds developing in the skin, and pitting.
The lymph fluid carries the waste products and destroyed bacteria back into the bloodstream. The liver or kidneys then remove these from the blood. The body passes them out with other body waste, through bowel movements (poo) or urine (pee).
Common signs and symptoms of lymphedema can include: Swelling in part of the body (such as your breast, chest, shoulder, arm, or leg) Skin feeling tight or hard, changing in texture, looking red, or feeling hot. New aching, tingling, numbness, or other discomfort in the area.