Myths and truths about lymphatic drainage |

Lymphatic drainage can be a great ally for women. Therapeutic massage acts in the prevention of cellulite and helps to clean toxins that form fat nodules.

This eliminates body swelling and increases skin oxygenation in the short term. The method still leaves the skin looking healthier, as well as providing better blood circulation.

Women often experience drops in hormonal rates at various times in their lives, such as menstruation, PMS, pregnancy and menopause.

By working on blood circulation through lymphatic drainage, it is possible to normalize these hormonal rates a little better, improving well-being and gaining more health.

How does lymphatic drainage work?

The lymphatic system works in parallel with the circulatory system. It is formed by a large network of vessels, distributed throughout the body, collecting dispersed liquids, filtering and directing them to blood circulation.

In this way, drainage acts with maneuvers that take these liquids to the structures responsible for collecting them.

The massage is performed using light pressure. It is important to emphasize that the method is not painful, nor does it leave bruises (purple on the skin). The pressures made on the skin direct the body fluids to the structures of the lymphatic system, where it will be eliminated through the urine.

Lymphatic drainage in pregnancy

Lymphatic drainage is usually highly indicated during pregnancy, as fluid retention is one of the most striking features at this stage of a woman’s life.

This happens because, in order to deal with the new being that is being generated, the mother’s body increases the blood volume by almost 50%, causing the liquids in the capillaries to overflow, causing swelling.

When this liquid leaks into the body in large amounts, the organism alone is not able to collect and eliminate it through the urine. This leads to an accumulation of stray dirty components in the body, which causes intoxication.

This intoxication is perceived by our organism, and generates excess nervous responses, leaving us in a state of irritation, nervousness.

During pregnancy, drainage can only be performed by a professional specialized in pregnant women, as massage requires some fundamental care and some adaptations for the benefit of the mother. The pregnant woman even needs a medical prescription to start the treatment.

Decreased PMS symptoms

Premenstrual tension is a set of symptoms that begins up to fifteen days before menstruation, and ceases at the beginning of the menstrual flow.

Currently, many studies are proving the existence of the symptoms of this syndrome throughout menstruation and a little after the end as well.

This happens, among other reasons, due to changing social habits, stress and poor diet, reducing the nervous response to inhibit the production of hormones at the right time.

PMS symptoms are: irritability, mood swings, insomnia, excessive desire to eat sweets, anxiety, depressive behavior, impulsivity, mental confusion, fatigue, body swelling, lower back pain, temporary weight gain and migraine.

All this happens due to the imbalance between estrogen and progesterone, alterations in the activity of endorphins and serotonin (hormones of happiness and pleasure), plus an excess of prolactin and a deficiency of vitamins B6 and vitamin E.

All these intercurrences are treated through lymphatic drainage. The hormone progesterone, present in large amounts in PMS, causes sagging in the venous wall, that is, the vessels become thicker and can no longer contract as before to take the blood to the rest of the body.

Consequently, they cause impairment of blood circulation. This makes it difficult for oxygen to arrive throughout the body, along with PMS inhibiting hormones. The symptoms then become more intense.

Therefore, lymphatic drainage acts in a better response of the circulatory system, improving the body’s performance to inhibit PMS symptoms, in addition to eliminating toxins that cause irritation and improving water retention that causes swelling.

Drainage eliminates cellulite?

Yes, as long as the problem is at the beginning. But certainly the drainage prevents larger formations.

Whatever the cause of cellulite – poor diet, sedentary lifestyle, smoking or hormonal changes – the problem begins with a process of fluid retention that will lead to poor tissue oxygenation, hardening to form nodules.

Drainage will eliminate excess fluid and break the cellulite vicious cycle.

Lymphatic drainage and slimming

Drainage decreases fluid retention in areas of the body that are prone to fat accumulation, such as the abdomen and thighs. It also accelerates metabolism, favoring the burning of fat stores.

Does the massage work on its own?

If the purpose of the drainage is therapeutic, that is, some disease, alteration of the body or surgery where the doctor has indicated drainage, the answer is yes, the drainage acts by itself.

However, if the intention is to model the body, it is necessary to go beyond drainage and adopt a change in eating habits.

Some physical activities can also be associated with massage. To know what is best suited for you, you need to make an evaluation with a professional who specializes in drainage.

It is up to the specialist to advise which diet or physical activities are most appropriate, as well as whether there is any change in your body that may be harming weight loss.

Along with lymphatic drainage, you can also associate the use of devices and cosmetics that help reduce measurements.

Get the body you want

Intake of green tea internally enhances the effect of lymphatic drainage. The drink activates the immune system, activating metabolism and also eliminating toxins and swelling.

According to studies carried out by academics and universities around the world, such as the University of New Jersey, drinking green tea daily helps to reduce the incidence of some types of oncological diseases (such as in the lungs, breast, pancreas or colon) or to lose weight.

Green tea acts at a thermogenic level, that is, it increases the work level of the metabolism. In practical terms, it stimulates metabolic activity by encouraging the body to expend more energy, and as it is not a neurotransmitter or appetite suppressant, it does not cause any type of alteration.

It should only be taken with some care in the case of people who suffer from high blood pressure problems, since green tea for weight loss can increase it even more.

It’s worth remembering that green tea is more efficient than white tea and red tea, different from what many say. Green tea has all the properties of the other two, and its difference lies in the way it is prepared.

Where green tea as well as others are made from the Camellia sinensis plant, however they undergo an infusion, where the herbs suffer little oxidation, which does not happen with the leaves of other teas. This gives green tea the excellent benefits mentioned above.

The greater the amount of water ingested, the faster the release of toxins from the body and the elimination of swelling. Therefore, you should drink at least 1.5 liters of water per day.

In order to obtain good results with the drainage, at least ten sessions are necessary, carried out one to three times a week, with one week following the other.

It is essential to carry out physical activities – preferably aerobic – such as walking, running, swimming and cycling. We must also change our eating habits, eating less and more often, to increase metabolism and burn more calories.

Lymphatic drainage precautions

Lymphatic drainage should be carried out by a qualified professional, physiotherapist, beautician or even a therapist capable of massage.

According to scientific studies by the University of Fortaleza, manual lymphatic drainage is incomparably more efficient than drainage done by mechanical devices.

Drainage maneuvers must be carried out in soft touches so that it is possible to reach the fluids lost in the body.

When too much pressure is applied, the vessels of these liquids are obstructed, and no result is obtained. Therefore, the tip is to avoid strong and painful drains.

Massage should be light and relaxing, but it has contraindications, identified through a professional evaluation.

It is the specialist who will say whether or not you can undergo the treatment. A medical prescription is not necessary, except in cases of drainage for pregnant women, post-surgery or mastectomy, which are specific cases, indicated only for physiotherapists to apply the method.