Is swelling or inflammation interfering with your daily activities? How about you pamper yourself with a massage therapy?
Often, metabolic waste products and toxins can't be excreted from your body, leading to swelling. To remove such elements, a lymphatic drainage massage can be helpful.
Like any other massage, lymphatic massage also offers relaxation. To address inflammation in muscles and tissues, a professional massage therapist will use circular movements to stimulate the lymphatic system.
When lymphatic fluid circulates throughout the body, it helps remove toxins and metabolic waste products. As a result, your body gradually heals from swelling.
Due to its effectiveness within the skin tissues, people often confuse lymphatic with deep tissue massage. However, the techniques and purpose of both are pretty different.
You may wonder now- what is a lymphatic drainage massage, and how is it different from a deep tissue massage? For all your answers, go ahead and read this blog.
It will also explore the various types of lymphatic drainage massage, its benefits, expectations, and duration.
Understanding Lymphatic Drainage Massage
Massage is a holistic practice that dates back thousands of years. From relieving muscle tension to easing anxiety, massage therapy benefits both body and mind. For those dealing with inflammation, a lymphatic massage is a modality worth exploring.
What is a lymphatic drainage massage?
Lymphatic drainage massage is a specialized massage therapy that involves light pressure and gentle movements to ensure seamless lymphatic drainage.
It is a process in which the lymphatic system removes excess fluid that accumulates in the skin tissues during the exchange of plasma and interstitial fluid.
The lymphatic system forms an integral part of the immune system. It combines lymphatic nodes, vessels, spleen, thymus, and mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue.
To simply understand the lymphatic system, imagine these vessels, tissues, and organs as open corridors. Through these corridors, a watery substance (lymph) flows. The lymph system carries oxygen and other vital nutrients to cells and tissues.
To ensure smooth lymph flow, it is essential to eliminate toxins and waste products that accumulate in tissues, which can lead to inflammation and swelling. The lymphatic system filters these wastes from the lymph fluid before they flow back into the bloodstream.
There are circumstances in which the lymphatic system malfunctions in filtering toxins and waste products. To restore its function, the massage therapist uses circular movements over the non-swollen areas, allowing the lymphatic system to eliminate toxins and metabolic wastes.
As it eliminates these substances, the blood circulation will improve. It thus reduces inflammation, swelling, and other discomfort.
Types of Lymphatic Drainage Massage
After understanding what a lymphatic drainage massage is and how it works along the lymphatic system, you should know its types. There are primarily two types of lymphatic massage, each involving a wide range of techniques that a masseuse may use.
These massages are- manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) and simple lymphatic drainage (SLD). Let’s understand them one by one.
What is manual lymphatic drainage?
Usually, a professional performs the manual lymphatic drainage massage. They use a series of techniques to perform the massage therapy. These techniques include:
- Vodder- Your therapist will use sweeping motions, pumping movements, stationery circles, and rotary movements on the target areas.
- Foldi- It is an extension of the Vodder technique. Foldi requires the massage therapist to alternate between circular massaging and moments of relaxation. The technique also engages deep breathing to stimulate lymphatic pathways and optimize fluid movement.
- Casley-Smith- To perform Casley-Smith, the massage specialist will use the sides of the palms of their hands. The technique involves slow, repetitive, circular movements to boost blood flow through the skin.
- Leduc- The massage therapist will use circular movements in a single direction to enhance lymph flow before sending it back to the lymphatic system.
A massage specialist typically performs all these techniques in 30-60 minutes. Depending on your condition, they will decide on the duration of the massage therapy.
For instance, if your swelling is severe around the neck, the therapist may spend more time redirecting the lymph fluid back into the lymphatic system. When lymph flow increases, it helps filter toxins, metabolic waste products, and pathogens, thereby decreasing swelling or inflammation.
What is simple lymphatic drainage?
It is another type of lymphatic massage that a masseuse prescribes to individuals to practice at home. As the name suggests, the massaging techniques are simple.
You will identify the areas where you’re experiencing pain, stress, or swelling. Through gentle motions, circular movements, and skin-stretching, you will target the non-swollen areas to free up space for the lymph to flow from the swollen parts and drain the toxins.
Since the massage is not as intense as manual lymphatic drainage, you may take 10-20 minutes to perform it. Gently rub the non-swollen areas to redirect the lymph fluid back into the lymphatic system and eliminate waste.
Benefits of Lymphatic Drainage Massage
After learning the types, you may wish to learn about the benefits of lymphatic drainage massage to help you decide. Lymphatic massage restores lymphatic system function impaired by infection or scar tissue.
When these conditions occur, the lymphatic system disrupts the flow of lymph fluid. Instead of reaching the specific organs or tissues that help eliminate the excess fluid, it accumulates within the skin, resulting in swelling and inflammation.
To guide the fluid back to its course, the massage therapist will use gentle strokes to remove excess fluid and toxins from the body. As a result, you can experience inflammation reduction and improved well-being. Apart from that, there are other lymphatic drainage massage benefits:
- The massage alleviates rheumatoid arthritis pain. It is a pain that comes with swelling and affects your quality of life. Through skin-stretching, the massage therapist drains excess fluid from joints, easing pain and discomfort.
- Lymph accumulation in tissues can interfere with blood circulation. With lymphatic massage, the therapist will move lymph, along with toxins and waste products, out of the body, thereby improving blood circulation.
- Restricted lymph contains toxins, waste products, and pathogens that can disrupt your immune system. With lymphatic massage, the therapist will reroute the lymph to healthy pathways. As a result, it will filter out toxic elements and pathogens, reducing the risk of infection and strengthening the immune system.
- Inflammatory cells may dull your skin. It occurs when excess fluid containing toxins cannot be filtered from the organs and tissues. To ensure fluids reach the right destination for passing, lymphatic massage can be helpful. By removing the toxins and wastes from the skin tissues, you can experience a boost in collagen production. As a result, it will help rejuvenate your skin.
- Improper blood flow within muscles and tissues can cause stress. Using circular movements and light pressure, the massage therapist will boost blood circulation, causing the muscles and tissues to relax. That way, the massage therapy will help reduce stress and promote a sense of calm.
What to Expect During a Lymphatic Drainage Massage Session?
After learning about the benefits of lymphatic massage, you may consider getting a session to reduce swelling, stress, or any other discomfort. If it’s your first time getting a lymphatic drainage massage, you should know what to expect during a session.
- You have to lie on your back so the masseuse can massage the specific areas. For those who have swelling in the head or neck, it is essential to sit up.
- The therapist will ask you to perform deep breathing exercises. It will help activate the lymphatic vessels and healthy nodes for the massage.
- Using light pressure and gentle strokes, the therapist will massage the lymph nodes and non-swollen areas to allow the fluid to drain.
- Using skin-stretching techniques, the therapist will move the lymph fluid toward the healthy nodes and toward the heart.
- Once the fluid reaches the healthy lymph nodes, the lymphatic system helps remove the excess fluid, thereby reducing the risk of swelling, stress, or other discomfort.
For those who require a full massage, the therapist will start with the legs and work up to the back. From the back, the massage therapist moves to the front of the body and completes by massaging the neck and face.
Moreover, those who need lymphatic massage in specific areas can communicate with the masseuse. By identifying the target areas, the therapist will give utmost attention to removing excess fluid and detoxifying the body.
Lymphatic Drainage Massage vs. Deep Tissue Massage
Lymphatic drainage massage uses hands-on manipulation to move lymph fluid to the healthy nodes for reabsorption. The manipulation of lymph fluid is quite similar to deep tissue. And that’s why people often confuse lymphatic drainage with deep tissue massage.
A deep tissue massage is also a holistic massage therapy that eases deeper muscle layers from pain and swelling. But what does a deep tissue massage do that makes it different from lymphatic drainage?
The massage therapy uses firm pressure to target inner muscle layers and connective tissues. Often, tissue blockage leads to stiffness and chronic stress in various muscle groups. The massage therapist thus uses their fingers, thumbs, and elbows to exert pressure to break the blockage.
Besides varying pressure levels, there are other differences in the comparative study of lymphatic drainage massage vs deep tissue massage. To better understand it, keep a few considerations in mind.
What is the purpose?
Every massage therapy comes with a purpose. The goal of lymphatic massage is to reduce swelling and support the immune system. The therapist performing lymphatic massage uses gentle circular movements to free up space for lymphatic flow.
As lymph flows smoothly, it transports toxins and other waste products to organs and tissues that remove them from the body. That way, the swelling will gradually reduce, and your immune system will also improve.
Deep tissue massage primarily focuses on relieving muscle tension and pain. The masseuse who performs deep tissue massage uses sustained pressure to loosen deeper layers of muscle groups and tissues.
When that happens, it optimizes blood flow within the muscles and tissues. The improvement in blood circulation helps oxygen and other nutrients reach muscles, thereby minimising pain and stress.
What are the techniques?
For lymphatic massage, therapists typically use gentle and rhythmic strokes and circular hand movements. Since the massage targets lymph vessels just beneath the skin, the massage therapist uses gentle strokes to enhance lymphatic flow.
A masseuse who performs deep tissue typically uses firm pressure and slow, deep strokes over the muscles and connective tissues. Because the massage targets deeper muscle layers to break adhesions, the therapist focuses on specific areas through friction and long strokes.
What are they best for?
Excess fluid accumulation in the body leads to swelling and impairs recovery after surgery. By directing lymph fluid towards healthy lymph nodes, the massage will remove excess fluid, thereby helping with speedy recovery and reducing swelling.
People experiencing muscle stiffness or chronic pain can benefit from a deep-tissue massage. The massage focuses on loosening deep layers of muscles and connective tissues. With firm pressure and friction, the therapist breaks adhesions and ensures free muscle movement.
How Often Should You Get a Lymphatic Drainage Massage?
From reducing swelling and overall detoxification to de-stressing, you may have various reasons to get a lymphatic drainage massage. It thus becomes essential to know how often one gets a massage.
For instance, a person seeking general wellness or a full-body detox can have a lymphatic massage every 1-3 months. It will be maintenance for your body and soul in a therapeutic way.
Moreover, individuals experiencing swelling in the neck, legs, or other parts of the body can receive the massage 2-3 times a week. It is a standard frequency for people who are undergoing massage therapy for the first time. However, when the therapist clears the blocked lymph and ensures smooth lymph flow, you can reduce the session.
To de-stress, a weekly or bi-weekly lymphatic massage session can be helpful. Overall, you can talk to the masseuse and communicate your goals. Depending on the varied needs, the therapist will suggest the frequency of the massage session.
Say Goodbye to Swelling with Lymphatic Drainage Massage at On The Side Day Spa!
Hopefully, now you have the answer to what lymphatic drainage massage is. With such a gentle massage therapy, you can alleviate swelling and detoxify your body. As a result, you can feel a boost of energy to work better, improving your quality of life.
While identifying the target areas, you can put gentle pressure to stimulate lymphatic flow; the results may not last long. For optimal results, you can rely on professional massage therapists.
At On The Side Day Spa, we offer lymphatic drainage massage that reduces fluid retention and swelling, and improves your immune system. Our massage specialists can address your issues. All you have to do is communicate your goals with them.
With gentle, rhythmic movements, our professionals manipulate the skin tissues and move the lymph through the circulatory system. That way, we help you keep stress at bay and offer a wholesome experience.
Explore lymphatic massage and other holistic therapies to elevate your well-being.
