Manual Lymphatic Drainage Therapy

Lymphatic Drainage Massage Therapy main roles.

The lymphatic system plays a major role in the proper functioning of the immune system, which is what fights off infection. The lymphatic system is a circulatory system that mobilizes the infection-fighting cells known as lymphocytes throughout the body using the lymph vessels and nodes. The lymphatic system helps to remove toxins, cell wastes, excess proteins and fluid. The vessels and nodes are just under the skin and therefore very delicate.

When this system is at its best, the body feels strong and healthy. However, when someone undergoes trauma, surgery, infection, or even just doesn’t eat right or exercise, this system is devastated and overworked. While it is a circulatory system, it doesn’t have a built-in pump like the blood system does with the heart. Movement, deep breathing, stretching, and gentle lymphatic drainage massage therapy can help with the flow of this fluid.

Lymphatic drainage massage therapy involves gently rubbing and compressing the vessels and nodes located throughout the body. This mobilizes the fluid and enlivens the body systems. As with all lifestyle changes, however, there are some contraindications to adding this therapy to your routine, so be sure to discuss with your physician or holistic practitioner before beginning this regimen at home or with a lymphatic massage therapist.

As mentioned above, the lymphatic vessels and nodes are very delicate, so any sort of compromise to the body’s immune system can be harmful to your overall well-being and ability to heal. For example, patients who undergo surgery often experience resultant swelling at the surgical site and surrounding areas. This is likely due to the fact the lymphatic system is shocked and overwhelmed with the extra work it has to do to help the body heal after such an invasive attack. Swelling could also get worse even with deep tissue massage and physical therapy; however, lymphatic drainage massage therapy is gentle and provides “tender love and care” to the delicate system responsible for the swelling so could be just what the body needs. This therapy helps the system relax and reproduce lymphocytes at a faster rate, which in turn will help the body heal faster after surgery. This is true for any major injury or infection that invasively attacks the body’s physiology and anatomy.

Lymphatic drainage massage therapy can be a great addition to already-in-place treatment plans for weight loss, chronic fatigue, and fibromyalgia because its focuses on loosening sore trigger points and removes harmful toxins. With a higher functioning lymphatic system, patients feel more healthy and energetic.