FAQ's
What is a Lymphatic Massage?
Lymphatic massage (also known as Manual Lymphatic Drainage, MLD) is a type of therapeutic massage that stimulates the lymphatic system to increase fluid movement through the one way valves in your lymphatic system to eliminate toxins, waste, and excess fluid. This massage uses light, rhythmic movements to stimulate the lymphatic system.
What is the Lymphatic System?
The lymphatic system serves multiple functions within the body, including working with the cardiovascular system to maintain fluid balance, removing impurities, and building immunity by making lymphocytes. Excess fluid, metabolic waste and molecules like fat and hormones are filtered through our lymphatic system. If this system is not working at optimal capacity, excess fluid can remain in the lymph nodes and the surrounding tissue becomes swollen with cellular waste fluids.
Why is a Lymphatic Massage Important?
Lymphatic fluid can easily become stagnant because it doesn’t have a pump like the cardiovascular system. This means it moves slowly and is prone to stagnation. A lymphatic massage mimics the body’s natural process of pumping the fluid to the lymph nodes so it can be processed through the circulatory system to remove excess fluid and toxins. Lymphatic massage therapy can increase this natural process by up to 30 pumps per minute compared to an average of 13 pumps per minute when walking and 6-7 pumps when resting.
Who Can Benefit from Lymphatic Therapy?
Anyone can benefit from lymphatic therapy! It is a holistic approach for boosting overall health and reducing inflammation. It is especially important for anyone recovering from an acute injury, illness, or surgery to reduce pain from swelling and can shorten recovery time. Lymphatic therapy can also help manage chronic conditions such as Rheumatoid Arthritis or Fibromyalgia by reducing pain associated with inflammation.
Lymphatic massage may be contraindicated if you have congestive heart failure, blood clots, kidney problems, acute infection, or uncontrolled circulatory problems. If you have any medical conditions, you should talk to a doctor before trying a lymphatic massage.