Lymphatic massage – types, indications, contraindications. Lymphatic massage at home

Lymphatic massage, or lymphatic drainage, is a procedure used in physiotherapy and cosmetology. Its task is to stimulate blood and lymph circulation in order to improve their flow, nourish tissues and prevent blood clots and ischemia. Lymphatic drainage is performed in massage salons, as well as biological regeneration and aesthetic medicine offices. You can also perform lymphatic massage at home, but it is worth knowing and feeling the professional way of massaging by a specialist in advance.

What is lymphatic massage?

Lymphatic massage improves the condition of the skin, stimulates the work of cells and internal organs. The lymphatic drainage treatment also stimulates the metabolism and the metabolism of adipose tissue in the subcutaneous layers.

Lymphatic drainage involves pressing and rubbing the skin in a special way that stimulates the circulation and flow of lymph – a watery fluid from the blood containing electrolytes and proteins. The task of the lymph is to cleanse the body of toxins. The cells contained in the lymph – lymphocytes – are part of the body’s immune system.

Lymph in the subcutaneous layers causes swelling, can block blood circulation, swelling around the eyes, mouth, swelling of the limbs, especially the calves and ankles. Thanks to the lymphatic massage, the residual lymph regains its proper flow, the swelling is reduced, the skin becomes firm, elastic and better nourished.

To stimulate circulation, we recommend massaging the body with special body brushes. You can find a wide range of massage brushes at the Medonet Market. You can choose brushes with or without detachable handles, with more or less soft bristles. The brushes can be massaged both wet and dry.

See also: Relaxing massage – description, types of massage, indications, contraindications

Lymphatic facial massage

Facial lymphatic drainage is a popular procedure performed in aesthetic medicine clinics. Thanks to the stimulation of circulation and lymph flow, the facial skin is refreshed and oxygenated. The renewal of the upper layers of the skin is accelerated, the skin becomes more elastic, and wrinkles are visibly shallower. The skin is improved by removing toxins – this reduces the occurrence of breakouts and inflammation.

The Bioherba dry face massage brush effectively improves circulation in the skin of the face, which is why it is recommended to anyone who wants to comprehensively take care of their appearance and well-being. For this purpose, the Rotary body and face massager, which can be purchased separately or in the face oval modeling kit with a booster, will also be perfect.

Lymphatic facial massage also relieves pain and inflammation of the sinuses and swelling around the eyes (after opening the tissue, the blocked flow of fluid and blood improves, reducing pain and discomfort). Facial lymphatic drainage is also used as a method of preparing the skin for aesthetic treatments: mesotherapy, peels, hyaluronic acid fillings, and also helps in skin regeneration after plastic surgery and aesthetic medicine.

Lymphatic massage is performed for about 45 minutes, additionally it has a relaxing effect. The essence of lymphatic massage are slow, delicate movements running from the collarbone area to the top of the head. Appropriate movements are made in the direction of lymph flow in order to unblock the lymph nodes.

To perform an effective facial massage, order the BEAUTY FACE PRO face massage kit, which includes

1. quartz massage roller,
2. multi-needle applicator,
3. set of four silicone massage bubbles.

You can also use the Vacuum Cupping Kit for face massage.

Find out more: Face massage – types, effects, instruments, cosmetics. How to do a face massage yourself?

Lymphatic massage of the legs

Work that requires long hours of standing, as well as daily walking in high heels or pregnancy are associated with unpleasant symptoms of impaired blood flow in the legs. Painful swelling appears, varicose veins begin to form. Lymphatic drainage improves blood and lymph circulation, reduces swelling and reduces the risk of its recurrence.

Regularly performed lymphatic drainage of the legs allows you to avoid the occurrence of varicose veins and the formation of swelling for some time, if it is used prophylactically, not only as a reaction to the already existing swelling. Lymphatic drainage is a gentle procedure that will help drain tissue, reduce inflammation, and speed healing. Lymphoedema is chronic in nature, which means that without adequate and regular stimulation of lymph flow, the problem may recur. After pregnancy, lymphatic drainage can be performed only a few weeks after childbirth, and in the case of breastfeeding, only after the end of the lactation period.

Lymphatic drainage of the legs is also performed in the direction in which blood and lymph flow in the legs. The treatment improves the absorption of nutrients from lotions and cosmetic wraps through the skin, makes it more elastic and refreshed. Lymphatic drainage supports the reduction of cellulite with very good results.

Also read: Chinese cupping massage – application, tips, effects

Lymphatic massage – types

Due to the location of the lymphatic system, congestion and swelling may occur in other parts of the body than previously mentioned. We are talking here about:

Abdominal lymphatic massage – it is used in the case of postoperative edema and in people who want to lose excess kilograms or get rid of cellulite. Abdominal lymphatic massage also has a positive effect on digestive processes.

Upper limb lymphatic massage – often used by women after mastectomy. This treatment is used as one of the elements of the prevention of swelling, along with skin care and exercises (Comprehensive Physical Therapy for Drainage).

In addition, there is also the so-called mechanical lymphatic massage, in which special devices are used for massage, e.g. a chamber compression massage apparatus. This massage is known as BOA and can be performed on the upper and lower extremities (e.g. as a lymphatic massage of the legs). It is worth adding that you can do it yourself, having been properly instructed by the therapist.

If you have problems with lymphoedema and cellulite, try Lymph, a herbal blend to improve circulation.

Lymphatic massage – contraindications

Lymphatic drainage it is not recommended for people who have a fever, as well as for people suffering from cancer, skin inflammation, wounds and skin damage, skin diseases such as eczema, atopic dermatitis, skin infections (especially in the case of skin infections with staphylococci, skin massage can help spread the infection into the bloodstream).

In the case of extensive traumatic haemorrhages, heart defects (limb massage is avoided in people with impaired heart function, as it may cause excessive stress on the heart), high blood pressure, hyperthyroidism, atherosclerosis, lymph nodules, inflammation of the tonsils, and also after removal tooth (tooth extraction), lymphatic drainage should not be performed due to the risk of deterioration of the disease condition.

Lymphatic drainage is also usually avoided in people with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) as they are at risk of blood clots and should not undergo lymphatic massage, which can lead to pulmonary embolism.

It should be added here that despite the fact that pregnancy is not a contraindication to lymphatic massage, it is recommended to perform the procedure with particular caution at this time.

See also: Sports massage – indications, techniques, types

Lymphatic massage – indications for the treatment

The indications for lymphatic massage are:

1. cellulite,
2. swelling resulting from injuries and after surgery (e.g. lymphoedema after thyroid surgery),
3. swelling and lymphatic stasis,
4. swelling caused by lymph retention in women after mastectomy,
5. some metabolic diseases,
6. diabetes,
7. prophylaxis of the immune system,
8. helpful in the weight loss process.

In addition, lymphatic massage is also indicated in the case of degenerative joint diseases and trophic changes in the skin.

See also: Classic massage – what it looks like, indications

Lymphatic massage at home

Lymphatic drainage can be performed independently at home using certified devices equipped with special pressure-massage cuffs, or manually. However, care should be taken and the appropriate direction of massage. In addition, in the case of manual massage, one should remember about the position conducive to drainage (in the case of the upper limb it will be raising the hand above the level of the body), as well as performing exercises (in the case of the upper limb, it may be the circulation of the shoulders).

Techniques of lymphatic massage of the upper body parts

These techniques can help drain the lymph fluid from the chest, shoulder and upper arm.

1. To massage the chest, place your hand flat on your chest, slightly above your chest. Then move your hand up your chest and over your collarbone. Continue up the neck until the skin covering the chest is taut, then let go of the stretching of the skin.
2. To massage the shoulder, rest your arm on a table or armrest. Place your other hand on your resting arm. Then, with light pressure, move your hand over the skin of the shoulder towards the neck.
3. To massage the shoulder, rest your arm on a table or armrest. Then you need to put the middle two fingers of the other hand on the inside of the arm below the shoulder. Gently slide your fingers towards the outside of your arm. Then, “wrap” your hand around the outside of your arm and gently slide your hand back towards the inside of your arm.
4. To massage the entire upper limb, we start the movement from the shoulder. Stretch the skin upwards with your hands. Then move your hand down to the upper arm and stretch the skin towards the shoulder. Continue the massage down the arm, always moving the skin upwards. Continue the massage ending with the movement starting from the wrist.

Lower body massage techniques

The following techniques will work for lymphatic massage of the legs.

1. To massage the upper leg, place one hand on the inside of your thigh near your groin and place the other hand on your buttock. Then gently stretch the skin as you slide your hand on the inside of your thigh to the outside of your thigh and up. In the next step, put your hands above the knee and repeat the above stretching movement.
2. To massage the lower legplace one hand on the calf and the other hand on the back of the calf. Then we gently stretch the skin upwards. In the next step, place your hands on the top of your foot and repeat the stretching movement towards your ankle.
3. To massage the toes, massage with thumb and index finger from the tips of the toes towards the foot.

It is important to always finish the massage with additional fluids.

When using BOA certified lymphatic drainage devices at home, it should be said that they require appropriate knowledge of how to use them and are relatively expensive (the price of comprehensive therapy in the office varies between PLN 60 and PLN 90).

Lymphatic massage – side effects

Lymphatic drainage is non-invasive and generally considered safe. As it focuses on soft to moderate skin stretching, it does not cause discomfort associated with deep tissue massage or sports massage.

However, it should be noted that women who undergo lymphatic drainage to treat lymphoedema after mastectomy are more likely to experience short-term swelling and redness in the early stages of treatment. As a rule, pain should never accompany lymphatic drainage. If the pain occurs, it could be a sign of a medical condition in which massage could be harmful, such as a local infection or deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

If any pain occurs during lymphatic drainage, stop the procedure immediately and consult a doctor or masseur.

In addition, lymphatic massage can increase bowel movements and urination. This is due to the operation of the procedure itself, which improves the system of fluids and their transport in the body and causes greater circulation of the lymphatic fluid, dissolves more toxins and thus affects the excretory system (it is then more focused on the excretion of all waste).

Also read: Lomi Lomi massage – description, method of performance, effects

Lymphatic massage – history

Lymphatic massage was established in the 1932s, when the Danish couple, Dr. Emil and Estrid Vodder, developed a treatment method that was innovative at that time, which they called “lymphology”. Working on the Cote d’Azur, treating patients with chronic colds, they noticed that these patients had swollen lymph nodes. In 1936, the Vodders began to study the lymphatic system and developed a technique involving the appropriate movement of the hands to cause the movement of the lymph. In 70, after four years of research, they presented the technique to the world in Paris, France. As the method became more known, branches and modifications to the original Vodder technique were developed, providing customers with more options. In the XNUMXs, German professors Michael and Etelka Foeldi built a clinic where they treated patients and educated therapists. At his school in Arizona for Lymphatic Drainage Therapy (LDT), French physician Bruno Chikly expanded the techniques by not just focusing on the lymphatic system.