A gentle massage encouraging the movement of lymphatic fluid throughout the body is a lymphatic massage. Lymphatic fluid helps the removal of toxins from the body tissues; there is no pumping system to aid the movement of lymphatic fluid. It moves when we move. So, it is better to have an active lifestyle instead of a sedentary one to remove waste and toxins from the body. Various health conditions can cause the buildup of lymphatic fluid in the body leading to the accumulation of toxins and swelling of limbs. Lymphatic drainage massage benefits people with the conditions like fibromyalgia, lymphedema, and other health issues.
Lymphatic drainage massage improves the blood circulation in the lymphatic system and it is a part of a treatment called decongestive lymphatic therapy (DLT). Decongestive lymphatic therapy includes:
✓ Good exercise
✓ Proper skincare
✓ Garments for compression
✓ Lymphatic drainage massage
Types of lymphatic drainage massage
Vodder
This type of lymphatic drainage massage includes the sweeping movements around the area targeted by a therapist.
2. Leduc
This type includes the collection of lymph fluid using hands motion before its reabsorption to the larger lymphatic system.
3. Foldi
This is an extension to the Vodder technique; this type of therapy includes the alteration between the movement of relaxation and circular hand motions.
4. Casley-smith
This technique also includes circular motion of hands, using the side and palms of hands.
Lymphatic drainage massage benefits
If you are facing the symptoms of lymphedema after the mastectomy (removal of breast tissues for the treatment or prevention of cancer), lymphatic drainage massages can ease mild to moderate symptoms.
Except lymphedema lymphatic drainage massage is also beneficial in treating so many other health concerns including;
✓ Chronic venous insufficiency
✓ Rheumatoid arthritis
✓ Fibromyalgia
✓ Stress
✓ Insomnia
✓ Fatigue
✓ Migraines
Let’s jump into detail of a few of these for a better understanding
Chronic venous insufficiency
When walls or valves of the veins in the legs do not work properly making the blood flow difficult to flow from legs to back to the heart is known as chronic venous insufficiency. Lymphatic drainage massage can benefit by making the blood flow better in people with this disease.
Rheumatoid arthritis
People may experience poor lymph flow due to the disease rheumatoid arthritis leading to swelling of joints, pain in joints, poor joint function, and change in skin color. Lymphatic drainage massage can ease the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis by making the femoral artery (large artery in the thigh) perform better. It is difficult to say how long the results of this massage can last but it provides long-term relief from symptoms.
Fibromyalgia.
Lymphatic drainage massage benefits the people suffering from fibromyalgia causing inflammation, discoloration, and swelling of tissues improving the quality of life by reducing the symptoms.
Stress
In this era of competition, so many of us are facing stress and headache issues due to competition, workload, and comparison between colleagues and friends, full-body relaxing massage or lymphatic drainage massage are the best therapy to calm down the nerves. Stress not only makes you vulnerable to diseases but also keeps you anxious and worried.
Tips to be kept in mind before getting lymphatic drainage massage
✓ The movements involved in the massage therapy should be gentle enough to only impact the skin, not the deeper muscles
✓ To help the toxins out of the body, drink extra 2 to 4 glasses of fluid
✓ Those areas which were undergone for cancer treatment should not be massaged
✓ Keep the hands relaxed
✓ Avoid the injured or swollen area to massage
Takeaway
Lymphatic drainage massage benefits so many people helping them to get back to their normal life that was somehow interrupted due to problems in the lymphatic system. Proper and healthy functioning is a key to overall good health.
There are so many people out there who are unaware of the benefits of lymphatic drainage massage, they should talk to their therapist and discuss the importance and needs of lymphatic drainage massage to treat the health issue you or any of your family members might be facing. It is becoming a very popular massage due to its health benefits. This massage makes the circulation better along with the balance of other body fluids.
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