Please don't apply oil or lotion before your treatment. Empty your bladder right before your treatment begins. The goal of a MLD treatment is to encourage the lymphatic system to work more efficiently and move stagnated fluid. This process will cause fluid to find it's way to your bladder.
To prepare yourself for lymphatic drainage massage therapy you should drink a lot of water before and after the massage, avoid eating one hour before treatment and reduce taking salty food, sugar, and alcohol before and after the massage for the best result.
While you need lots of water before your lymphatic massage, it's also best to have as little food beforehand as possible. If you're unable to fast before your appointment, then you should try to eat only small snacks or small portions.
After Care:
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.
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.
Results can last up to 10 days, depending on your metabolism and lifestyle.
How to know whether it is working? Those who use lymphatic drainage massages may notice that their swelling reduces. At the very least, swelling should not worsen. People who have lymphedema should continue using compression socks or sleeves to prevent swelling.
The lymph system is made up of:
Lymphatic fluid collects and takes metabolic cellular waste, dead cells, and toxins towards the subclavian veins at the base of the neck to be event ually eliminated through sweat, urine, and through the bowels.
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.
When your head, neck and shoulders have been massaged it stimulates the lymphatic system, which in turn drives out toxins. This means water is essential to flush out the toxins, so if you don't drink water after a massage, you can sometimes experience a slight headache.
Acute inflammation, Malignant tumors, Thrombosis and major heart problems are all contraindications to lymphatic drainage massage. Lets look at these one at a time.
Whether you receive an oil massage, aromatherapy, or reflexology, the answer is to not shower before a massage or after. Leave a few hour buffer period before doing so. When in the shower or a bath, the surface of the skin has increased blood circulation, which after a massage can lead to surface congestion.
When you hydrate after a massage, you potentialize the effects. Eat a light meal – go easy on your body after a lymphatic drainage massage. Though the strokes are gentle, there is some deep work being done. Give your body the chance to process it and avoid overwhelming your digestive system with a heavy meal.
Use before a shower. Think up the limbs and down the core. Using gentle short upward strokes starting at your ankles and moving up your leg (think of motions like you're shaving). Next, do the same motion moving from wrists to shoulders.
Lymphatic massage can be performed in the morning or the evening. While morning massage helps to reduce swelling that can occur during the night, evening massage can be extremely relaxing and aid in falling asleep more easily. Begin with clean and dry skin – save the oils for a bit later.
Lymphatic drainage massage is a gentle massage that helps get this fluid moving through the body; however, as with all types of therapy, there are a few possible side effects that could happen with this type of massage. Increased urination and/or bowel movements.
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.