Lymphatic Drainage Massage
Lymphatic drainage massage, also known as manual lymphatic drainage, relieves swelling that happens when medical treatment or illness blocks your lymphatic system. Lymphatic drainage massage involves gently manipulating specific areas of your body to help lymph move to an area with working lymph vessels.
What is a lymphatic drainage massage used for?
Lymphatic drainage massage, also known as manual lymphatic drainage, is a gentle form of massage used to relieve painful swelling in your arms and legs caused by lymphedema. Lymphedema often affects people recovering from breast cancer surgery.
Lymphedema happens when your tissues retain fluid left behind after your cardiovascular system sends blood to your tissues and organs.
The remaining fluid is called lymph. Normally, your lymphatic system collects your lymph and returns it to your heart via a network of lymph vessels and lymph nodes. When something disrupts your lymphatic system’s process, lymph collects in your arms and legs, making them swell.
A massage therapist uses lymphatic drainage massage techniques to move lymph from your tissues to your lymph nodes, which eases the swelling in your tissues.
Do lymphatic drainage massages work?
Healthcare providers are still studying whether lymphatic drainage massages make a difference. Some studies show people age60 and below benefitted by having lymphatic drainage massages.
How are lymphatic drainage massages done?
A lymphatic drainage massage is a two-step process:
- Clearing: This step releases lymphatic fluid in your tissues.
- Reabsorption: This step moves your lymphatic fluid to your lymph nodes.
Are there other ways to remove lymphatic fluid from my tissues?
Some people benefit from a mechanical process. In this process, you put a sleeve on the swollen arm or leg. The sleeve is attached to a pneumatic pump that pulsates and helps your lymph to drain from your tissues to your lymph nodes.
What are some conditions that can benefit from lymphatic drainage massage?
Lymphatic drainage massages are often used to relieve lymphedema following breast cancer surgery. Other conditions that benefit from lymphatic drainage massages are:
- Rheumatoid arthritis:Â This is ongoing arthritis in your joints causing joint pain, swelling and stiffness.
- Fibromyalgia: This condition causes chronic muscle and joint pain.
- Chronic venous insufficiency:Â This happens when your leg veins aren’t working effectively, making it hard for your blood to return to your heart from your legs.
- Lipedema:Â This happens when excess fat accumulates in your lower body, blocking your lymphatic pathway and causing lymphedema.
Will lymphatic drainage massages make my lymphedema go away?
You might not see immediate results from lymphatic drainage massages. If you have several sessions without result, ask your healthcare provider about alternative treatments.
How can I drain my lymphatic system myself?
Talk to your healthcare provider about learning lymphatic draining massage techniques. They will have information to help youdecide if you would benefit from doing lymphatic draining massage yourself or by working with a trained massage therapist.
What happens if I’m feeling sick after a lymphatic drainage massage?
Few people have negative reactions to lymphatic drainage massage. Some people, however, complain of headaches, nausea and fatigue. When that happens, you should ask your healthcare provider about managing your side effects.
Here at Harmony Chiropractic & Wellness Clinic our Kelowna Registered Massage Therapist Genene Maurice has a fluid and focused approach to her treatments utilizing both therapeutic & deep tissue massage, trigger point therapy, cupping, myofascial release, as well as manual lymphatic drainage to facilitate healing of new or chronic injuries.
To Book your appointment with one our top RMT in Kelowna for manual lymphatic drainage don’t hesitate to contact us or go ahead and book online!
