Lymphatic
Drainage Massage
One of the most remarkable things about lymph is that we
all have it, but most people know very little about it. Did you know that your
entire body is soaked in lymph and there is a whole lymph vessel system that is just as intricate as your blood
vessels?
What is the Lymphatic System and why do we need it?
In short, the lymphatic system is the body’s waste
disposal system. Part of the circulatory system, the lymphatic system moves
fluid through the body clearing away bacteria, microorganisms, cellular waste and foreign substances, excess
water, proteins and wastes from the connective tissue and returns it to the
blood stream where the kidneys ultimately remove the waste from the body.
The flow of lymph fluid can become stagnated for a variety of
reasons including: swelling, chronic inflammation, lack of physical activity,
stress, fatigue, emotional or physical trauma, age, or poorly fitted
undergarments. When lymphatic circulation slows down, the regeneration of cells
becomes less effective. This condition allows toxins and proteins to accumulate
around the cells causing cellular oxygenation to decrease, and tissue
regeneration to diminish.
Lymphatic Drainage Therapy aims to gently and rhythmically move
the lymph through the body, especially swollen areas of the body, relieving
pressure and enhancing the functioning of the immune system. As both a
preventative and remedial technique, Lymphatic Drainage can be used for a wide
range of purposes including faster recovery from injury, reduction of swelling
and discomfort from pregnancy, and strengthened resistance to illness.
What are the Benefits of Lymphatic Drainage Massage?
- Improved circulation of lymph fluid – stagnant fluid in the skin, muscles, viscera, and joints are rerouted.
- Toxins are flushed away, allowing for more effective tissue regeneration. Scars, stretch marks, wrinkles, or surgical incision sites may be improved.
- Improved function of the immune system which has been found to help with chronic or sub-acute inflammation, chronic fatigue syndrome, auto-immune disease, fibromyalgia, bronchitis, sinusitis, tonsillitis, laryngitis, arthritis, acne, eczema.
- Stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS), which helps increase relaxation, decrease stress, depression, and sleep disorders, reduces pain and muscle spasms.
- Reduces tissue swelling in the head from the ear, nose and throat regions to help with headaches, tinnitus (ringing in the ear), and vertigo.
- Pre-surgical, to help prepare and cleanse the body.
- Post-surgical, to reduce swelling to accelerate healing.
Contraindications for Lymphatic Drainage
- Acute infections, early onset inflammatory disease, or fever
- Overactive thyroid
- Serious cardiac issues
- Serious circulatory problems
- Deep Vein Thrombosis (Blood clots)
- Epilepsy
- Active cancer
- Fresh burns, scars, or bruises
- Acute edema
