Manual lymphatic drainage: benefits and how to do it at home

Massages are a powerful tool to improve health: they help to relax, relieve pain… A particular type of massage is Manual lymphatic drainage (either lymphatic drainage massage), which helps stimulate the lymphatic systema very important part of our body necessary to process and eliminate waste products and toxins.

Manual lymphatic drainage: what it is and what it is for

He Manual lymphatic drainage is a massage technique that, with smooth, slow, monotonous movementsactivates the lymph (a clear fluid that carries cells that help fight infections and other diseases) and promotes removal of stagnant liquids in the lymphatic system.

He lymphatic system It helps remove waste from our body, and to do so, it uses the natural movements of smooth muscle tissue. However, in some cases (whether due to an operation, due to some illnesses or injuries) there may be a fluid buildup in the lymphatic system and lymph nodes, something known as lymphedema.

He lymphedema usually occurs in the arms or legs, but it can also occur in the abdomen, neck or genitals. It often occurs as a result of cancer surgery that requires removal of lymph nodes, such as in women with breast cancer.

He manual lymphatic drainage has a sedative and relaxing effect and it is also used to favor the removal of accumulated residues in the parts affected by the cellulite (peau d’orange)for combat constipationfor improve immune response or other situations such as:

Manual lymphatic drainage massage at home

The ideal for manual lymphatic drainage to be really effective and cover your entire body is put yourself in the hands of a specialist. However, you can too stimulate lymphatic drainage at home. Remember that the movements (unlike in traditional massages) must be slow and monotonous and that the goal is gently push the surface of the skinwithout using oils or creams.

start with a massage in the neck area:

Stretch out, place your fingers on the clavicle area (a little above this one) and press gently with your fingers, from the outside in and up. Repeat this about 15 times.Place your hands on both sides of the neck, below the ears. press gently drawing circles towards the back of the neck and down. Repeat this about 10 times. Next, place the palm of your hand in your armpit and gently pull the skin up.

to make you the manual lymphatic drainage in the legs:

Lie down and put your legs up (you can also do it sitting down). Place one hand on the back of one of your legs and one on the inside and press it gently, making circles with flat fingersfrom the ankle throughout the calf area up to the thigh. Repeat this movement about 10 times and then do it on the other leg. Put your fingers below the knee and gently stretch the skin up toward the thigh. Repeat 10 times and then do it with the other knee. Then do the same smooth movement from knee to hip and groindrawing circles with flat fingers.

To perform the lymphatic massage on the arms:

Raise one of your arms, with the elbow slightly bent, and do circular movements with the other handgently pressing the skin. Perform the massage starting with the tips of the fingers and down the arm. Repeat about 10 times and then do it on the other arm.

Before and after performing lymphatic drainage, it is advisable to practice diaphragmatic breathing to relax, open the lymphatics deep and increase fluid movement.

When is manual lymphatic drainage contraindicated?

He manual lymphatic drainage is not recommended in the following cases:

if there is one heart disease.In case of renal insufficiency.When there is a infection.In people with blood clots.In case of acute cellulitis.

In the other situations, performing manual lymphatic drainage rarely causes side effects, but some people may experience headaches, nausea, and fatigue.