Lymphatic Drainage Massage
All About the Lymph!
Chloe Boldt | Registered Massage Therapist | @chloeb.rmt
The lymphatic system is part of the immune system and has many crucial functions. This vast network of vessels, tissues and organs circulates lymph; a watery fluid that contains nutrients and waste to and from the blood of the circulatory system. It also acts to fight off illness as it overtakes various illnesses and infections by the transmission of the white blood cells in the blood vessels. White blood cells make up our immune system and help us fight of infection and disease.
What is Lymph?
Lymph is a watery substance made from blood plasma that has leached out of the circulatory system. This watery-substance moves into your tissues and the spaces around your cells to deliver oxygen, proteins and other nutrients.
At the same time, lymph sweeps up debris like damaged and cancerous cells, bacteria and viruses. Lymph also picks up extra fluid from your tissues and cells that your capillaries can’t absorb.
As it travels, lymph goes through lymph nodes, which are lymph quality control centres. At the lymph nodes, the lymph searches for harmful organisms to be destroyed by white blood cells (lymphocytes). The filtered lymph eventually returns to your bloodstream making its way to scavenge again.
Due to the absence of any autonomous pump system (as the heart is for the circulatory system), this process relies on the active and passive movements of the joints and muscles and is quite literally why movement can be medicine!
What is Lymph Drainage?
Lymphatic Drainage is a specialized kind of Manual Massage Therapy. Techniques used by the Registered Massage Therapist stimulate the lymphatic system to function and circulate lymph more efficiently to the lymph nodes and throughout the body.
Manual Lymph Drainage Massage (MLD) has historically been used to treat chronic swelling, generally in either arms or legs, however now, MLD has become integrated into peoples self-care routine as a technique against:
- sickness
- bloating
- dull skin
- excessive tiredness
- congestion
What Does MLD do?
Lymphatic drainage massage promotes the circulation of lymph throughout the body as it can get stagnant and cause inflammation! By encouraging movement of the lymphatic fluid you can relieve swelling that happens when medical treatment, illness or stagnancy limits your lymphatic system flow!
What Makes MLD Different From a Typical Massage?
MLD massages differ from a typical massage as the therapist uses a very light pressure because the lymphatic system is just below the surface of the skin. In addition to this, there is a specific sequence to lymphatic massage.
It is performed proximal to distal, starting in the central part of the body, then moving towards the extremities, so as to not create a blockage in the system. You would first start by massaging the proximal lymph nodes, the lymph nodes that drain a specific area to ‘empty’ the nodes to get them ready to take on more fluid from the distal extremities. You would then massage the distal parts of the body that drain towards those lymph nodes as they are now ready to take on more fluid.
The primary purpose of MLD is to improve the circulation of lymph that is between the cells and leading them to the capillary vessels. By using slow and rhythmic movements, the RMT is able to accelerate the movement of the whole lymphatic system!
If you have any questions about how Manual Lymphatic Drainage Massage Therapy can help feel free to schedule a session with one of our Registered Massage Therapists.
