Manual lymphatic drainage is a massage technique that stimulates lymphatic flow and relieves inflammation. We explain how to do it yourself at home.
- Manual lymphatic drainage: what it’s for
- How is manual lymphatic drainage performed at home?
- When is manual lymphatic drainage contraindicated?
Massages are a powerful tool to improve health: they help to relax, to relieve pain… One particular type of massage is manual lymphatic drainage (or lymphatic drainage massage), which helps stimulate the lymphatic system, a very important part of our body needed to process and eliminate waste products and toxins.
MANUAL LYMPHATIC DRAINAGE: WHAT IT IS AND WHAT IT IS FOR
Manual lymphatic drainage is a massage technique that, with gentle, slow and monotonous movements, activates lymph (a clear liquid that carries cells that help fight infections and other diseases) and favors the elimination of stagnant fluids in the lymphatic system.
The lymphatic system helps remove waste from our body and, to do so, uses the natural movements of smooth muscle tissue. However, in some cases (either from an operation, some illnesses or injuries) there may be a buildup of fluids in the lymphatic system and lymph nodes, which is known as lymphedema.
- Lymphedema usually occurs in the arms or legs, but can also occur in the abdomen, neck, or genitals. It often occurs as a result of cancer surgery that requires removal of lymph nodes, as in the case of women with breast cancer.
Manual lymphatic drainage has a sedative and relaxing effect and is also used to promote the exit of accumulated waste in the parts affected by cellulite (orange peel), to combat constipation, to improve the immune response or other situations such as:
- Rheumatoid arthritis, to reduce pain, swelling and stiffness in the joints.
- Fibromyalgia, a disease that causes chronic muscle and joint pain.
- Chronic venous insufficiency, which occurs when the veins in the legs do not work properly.
- Lipedema, a disorder of body fat distribution.
MANUAL LYMPHATIC DRAINAGE MASSAGE AT HOME
The ideal for manual lymphatic drainage to be really effective and cover your entire body is to put yourself in the hands of a specialist. However, you can also stimulate lymphatic drainage at home. Remember that the movements (unlike in traditional massages) should be slow and monotonous and that the goal is to gently push the surface of the skin, without using oils or creams.
Manual lymphatic drainage has a sedative and relaxing effect and is also used to promote the exit of accumulated waste in the parts affected by cellulite (orange peel), to combat constipation, to improve the immune response or other situations such as:
- Rheumatoid arthritis, to reduce pain, swelling and stiffness in the joints.
- Fibromyalgia, a disease that causes chronic muscle and joint pain.
- Chronic venous insufficiency, which occurs when the veins in the legs do not work properly.
- Lipedema, a disorder of body fat distribution.
MANUAL LYMPHATIC DRAINAGE MASSAGE AT HOME
The ideal for manual lymphatic drainage to be really effective and cover your entire body is to put yourself in the hands of a specialist. However, you can also stimulate lymphatic drainage at home. Remember that the movements (unlike in traditional massages) should be slow and monotonous and that the goal is to gently push the surface of the skin, without using oils or creams.
WHEN IS MANUAL LYMPHATIC DRAINAGE CONTRAINDICATED?
Manual lymphatic drainage is not advised in the following cases:
- If there is heart disease.
- In case of renal insufficiency.
- When there is an infection.
- In people with blood clots.
- In case of acute cellulite.
In the other situations, manual lymphatic drainage is not often causing adverse effects, but some people may experience headaches, nausea, and fatigue.
