As part of a healthy immune system, lymph is linked to our blood for filtering and recovery of many substances, some good – some bad. Efficient functioning of the lymphatic system is crucial for systemic body balance, including metabolic waste removal, detoxification and regeneration of tissues.Transportation of fatty acids and production of antibodies are within the ‘good’ list.
It is apparent then, that our lymphatic system is very active in maintaining health, with less-than-optimal function implicated from allergies, frequent colds, infection and swelling, or edema. Unlike the circulatory system which functions from the pumping of our heart, the lymphatic system functions from respiration and body movement. These two activities cause hundreds of tiny muscular units to contract throughout the body propelling lymph through tiny capillaries to lymph vessels and nodes.
Stagnation of our Lymphatic System
Lymphatic function may be adversely impacted from fatigue, age, illness, infections, accumulation of chemicals and other waste, shock or trauma from injury and lack of movement. Mobility restrictions strain our lymphatic system’s function because movement is a key factor for collection and removal.
Manual Lymphatic Drainage Massage
People seek manual lymphatic drainage massage for a variety of reasons. Swelling in a limb is a common initiator, with lymphatic drainage therapy often recommended to promote improvement. Swelling indicates the interstitial fluid draining from capillaries to larger lymphatic vessels is not functioning efficiently. Other reasons for lymphatic massage may be to provide a boost when too many colds occur or allergies worsen, maintenance for cellulite management and assistance with swelling reduction following post-cancer surgery. Those who have body reduction surgery or encounter excess swelling after air travel often choose manual lymphatic drainage treatments to speed the re-balancing of lymphatic function. Home care options are always suggested after a lymphatic treatment.
Effectiveness
Lymph drainage therapy targets
- improved fluid circulation by stimulating lymphatic system function
- enhanced parasympathic nervous system function for a calming effect
One treatment usually does not make a lasting improvement because a condition does not appear overnight and will take similar time for balanced body function to return. Having said that, working with the lymphatic system manually when combined with guidelines for homecare can be an excellent adjunct for enhancing a recovery or health improvement protocol.
Noticeable change after lymphatic drainage massage is usually evident after two to three treatments, although up to ten sessions are recommended for cases of node removal where the fluid must be re-routed, or for severe limb swelling which may progress into the condition of lymphedema. According to individual metabolism, the effects of manual drainage massage may present as initial fatigue during the first night while the body processes the treatment, better sleep is usually experienced, improved energy levels starting one to two days after a treatment, and less tightness or swelling in a limb.
The Treatment
Manual lymphatic drainage massage is very light because the fine network of lymphatic vessels is not deeply embedded in muscle tissue. This specialized massage involves the use of subtle techniques on the skin for enhanced flow of the lymphatic fluid, targeting the lymph vessels just under the skin’s epidermis. My training is under the canopy of the Vodder system, with use of a very light sweeping technique on the skin.
