Lymphatic Massage: Is It Just another Massage On the Spa Menu or Does It Have Real Health Benefits?

Are you looking to enhance your immune system and in the process feel relaxed and rejuvenated? I got the answer for you. Lymphatic massage. This is a unique massage technique designed to support and enhance your lymphatic drainage, sometimes referred to “Detox Massage”. This type of massage can be performed by a professional or by yourself. Unlike most massages, pressure is very light, gentle, and rhythmic. By doing so, it stimulates lymph flow and enhances the clearance of accumulated toxic waste in the body.

In order to understand the benefit of lymphatic massage, lets dive into what is the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is a network of vessels and other organs. It keeps body fluid balance, and as part of the immune system, it protects you from pathogens, toxins and waste products. The lymphatic system carries a clear fluid that contains a variety of substances such as white bloods cells, proteins, fats, salts, and glucose. This system is heavily dependent on movement. Unlike the circulatory system, it does not have a pump (heart). Due to many factors such as stress, illness, toxic exposure, sedentary lifestyle and such, the lymphatic system may become sluggish and at times it may become clogged.

When this happens, we may experience symptoms like headaches, fatigue, brain fog, sensitivity to pain and on extreme cases we may develop illness such as inflammation and cancer.

The good news is that if we support our lymphatic system, we can experience wonderful health benefits. It will assist in reducing inflammation, calm nervous system, improve digestion, boost the immune system, support weight loss, improve the appearance of skin, etc. One way to support your lymphatic system is by lymphatic massage. The benefits of lymphatic massage go beyond a sense of relaxation and rejuvenation. It has been found beneficial in health conditions such as edema (1), fibromyalgia (2), breast cancer (3), migraines (4) and more.

What are you waiting for? You can perform your own lymphatic massage anytime with a few simple steps.

Find a quiet place where there will be no distractions or interruptions. Start by siting in a comfortable position (i.e., on a yoga mat or towel) on the floor with legs in a crisscross position with back straight. Take a few deep breaths. It is important to apply very gentle pressure using a wave like motion that is slow paced in the appropriate direction. Repeat each exercise 5 to 10 times. To enhance your experience, you may rub some essential oil of your choice such a sandalwood, grapefruit or rosemary.

Starting at the neck

Locate the main collection ducts, right and left. These are located in the hollow right above your collar bone
Apply very light pressure staying at the surface of the skin
Gently pull the skin down with a slow pace.

Behind your ears

Using the opposite hand, locate the lymph node on the back of your ears
Using your fingers, apply light touch
Stretch the skin down gently with a slow pace, down the neck where your lymph node are
End by gently stimulating (touching up and down) main collection ducts, the right and left

Auxiliary nodes under your arm pits

Using opposite hand, place hand under the arm pit, directly on the skin
Apply gentle pressure, and pulse gently up into the arm pit with a slow pace
Repeat on opposite arm

Abdomen

Place both hands gently on your abdomen
Inhale, gently push your abdomen into your hands
Exhale, gently push your navel into your spine

Inguinal Nodes

Place the palm of your hands-on top of your thighs, placing them right at the crease of the thigh (thumb and index finger in the direction of your body)
Apply gentle pressure on the thighs toward the navel using a wave like motion.

There are a few cases were lymphatic massage may not be recommended. If you have a history of blood cloths, infections, circulatory problems, congestive heart failure, or kidney conditions. Always seek the advice of your physician to see if lymphatic massage is appropriate to your particular health situation.

In conclusion, lymphatic massage is a unique massage technique that enhances lymphatic drainage with many health benefits. It can be performed by a professional or by yourself. If you are feeling run down or you simply want to be proactive about your health, lymphatic massage may be one way in which you can support our health.

References

1 Edema https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26458244/

2 Fibromialgia https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25457196/