What Do Lymphatic Drainage Massage Treat?

While not as common as a Swedish massage, lymphatic drainage massage is known for its light pressure to help restore a healthy immune system and eliminate toxins by moving materials back into circulation so they can be cleared by other organs.  This gentle form of massage helps reduce swelling caused by lymphedema, which is when excess lymphatic fluids collect in the body, usually in the arms and legs.

Swedish and deep tissue massage employ more pressure and are used to release muscle tension and increase blood flow circulation, lymphatic massage use a lighter touch to reduce swelling that happens when medical treatment or illness blocks the lymphatic system.

What Is Lymphatic Drainage Massage?

Lymphatic drainage massage therapy uses light pressure and rhythmic movements to encourage lymph drainage, whereas regular massage focus on the muscles.  Lymph is the fluid that flows through the lymphatic system, a system composed of lymph vessels and lymph nodes.  Typically, the lymphatic system is disrupted, lymph collects in the arms and legs, leading to swelling.  

Lymph fluid contains white blood cells and other cells to build up the immune system and fight infection.  There are hundreds of lymph nodes throughout the body, but they are mainly concentrated in the neck, armpits, chest, belly and groin area.

Most people at some point in their life can feel their lymph nodes that feel like little jelly beans under the skin when they are swollen and fighting infections and germs.  Unlike the circulatory system, the lymph does not have a pump, it relies on muscle movement to move fluid. Conditions like  surgery or injury can cause the lymph fluid to stagnate and sometimes become thicker.

Lymphatic massage can help

>Decrease stress, improve circulation of body fluids to reduce swelling, expedite the removal of waste and toxins from the body's tissue,stimulate the lymphatic system to increase lymph circulation.

What to Expect

Unlike Swedish massage that use oil to reduce friction with the skin, there is no oil applied during lymphatic drainage massage.  Soft strokes should be directed toward the heart so the therapist might start at the toes and fingers and work their way up.  Lymphatic drainage causes no pain, is very relaxing and it is not uncommon for people to fall asleep or nearly fall asleep during treatment.  It may take few sessions without any changes.

What Do Lymphatic Massage Treat?

Lymphatic drainage massage is used in sports medicine settings, post surgery cancer cases and for cosmetic reasons.  For individuals who have undergone breast cancer surgery and had lymph nodes removed, lymphatic drainage massage can be very helpful.  Once those lymph nodes are removed, lymphedema can frequently occur.  One study examined the incidence of lymphedema among individuals with breast cancer and found a 42% rate during a five year period following treatment.

Lymphatic drainage is helpful in conditions where patients have limited mobility, and edema build up is likely a result of limited movement, like recovering from certain surgeries, it can be helpful in reducing swelling after sports injuries like ankle or wrist sprains.   Common conditions lymphatic drainage massage may be used for:

Cosmetic

Lymphatic drainage massage can help promote tissue regeneration to help improve the skin's appearance and help, in some cases, promote hair regrowth.

>Acne, cellulite, hair loss, swollen eyes, spider veins.

Sports Injuries

The goal is to help broken or fractured bones and muscles by promoting and restoring optimal blood and lymphatic flow to the injured area.

>Dislocations, fractures, Orthopedic injuries, tendonitis, torn muscles.

Surgery

Lymphatic drainage massage help prevent excess swelling and pain to improve recovery from surgery.

>Breast cancer, c-section, edema, keloids, joint replacements.     Other conditions   >Burns, carpal tunnel syndrome, constipation, leg ulcers, pain management.

Does Lymphatic Drainage Massage Work?

There is a lack of rigorous research whether lymphatic drainage massage can reduce swelling and eliminate toxins.  Lymphatic drainage massage remains more of an art than science in the absence of well designed studies to examine its true efficacy.  Several small studies and reports have shown benefits of using lymphatic drainage massage with other interventions.  One study examined two groups of individuals with wrist bone fractures.  Both groups received standard of care while one group also received 10 sessions of lymphatic drainage massage.  The researchers found that those who received massage had a statistically significant decrease in swelling in the injured wrist than the other group.