Lymphatic Drainage is a very light massage technique used to move lymphatic fluid throughout the body. The lymphatic system is the body's internal drainage system, and is responsible for moving toxins, waste like bacteria, viruses, and damaged cells, blood, proteins, fats, minerals, and other substances throughout the body. This system moves through blood vessels and lymph nodes that carries lymph, the clear fluid in the drainage system, and brings lymph to tissues and blood into the body for better circulation.
Here is why lymphatic drainage is so important to include in your daily routine. Our lymph becomes stagnant so incredibly easy nowadays. With so many toxins in the air, our food supply, our self-care products, etc. our lymph needs our help manually to keep the flow moving daily. Especially for those who wear tight clothing such as compression shorts (spandex), compression leggings, sports bras, bras, tight waisted pants, or even socks, this includes all of us. Our lymph can get trapped where our clothing becomes tighter on our body. Lymphatic drainage helps keep clear, healthy skin throughout the body, allows waste to be moved around and excreted properly which is important for the function of our immune system, boosts blood flow, reduces inflammation and swelling, can decrease pain within the body, and is even helpful in improving symptoms of anxiety and depression. Think of it like this, you are manually helping your body move internal substances around and get them on their way to where they need to go. When the lymph becomes stagnant, we can develop a variety of health issues. Our liver and gallbladder do get the help they need to function and move substances around properly within the enterohepatic portal system, which in turn is very important for hormone health, cholesterol levels, and waste product excretion. Lymph nodes can become swollen, which reduces the movement of lymph, decreasing the efficiency of processes throughout the body. Manual lymphatic drainage is a simple, easy way to to increase the efficiency of the body, if performed properly.
Manual lymphatic drainage can be completed with your hands and/or with a dry brush or gua sha tool. I use all three at different times. Either tool you choose to use involves very light pressure across the skin. The lymph is directly below your skin, so too much pressure can be harmful or even counter-productive. So keep your pressure light, and simply move the fluid as if there is sand on your skin you are trying to brush off. An additional tool aid I use when performing lymphatic drainage massages for myself is gently rubbing Earthley Wellness's Lymphatic Drainage Cream on all major 7 lymph nodes areas throughout my body to active the most important lymph nodes or "headquarters" of lymph movement. I then use my dry brush to move the lymph from legs and arms all the way up to the lymph nodes near my collar bones where the most drainage and processing occurs.
Those that perform lymphatic drainage massages correctly, have found their skin has cleared up, their cellulite has reduced or disappeared, pain throughout the body has lessened, and hormone levels and cholesterol levels have balanced themselves with the help of additional lifestyle habits.
Confused about where to even start? At first, you may think you are performing the drainage massage incompletely. Over time and with practice, manual lymphatic drainage becomes second nature. Take a look at my social media to get a good visual of how to perform lymphatic drainage massages effectively!
Comments