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Amy Sedghi is a freelance journalist, specialising in health and fitness, travel, beauty, sustainability and cycling. Yes, lymphatic drainage can be hugely beneficial for many different types of people, confirms Dr Fuller-Shavel. “For the average person, the benefits of MLD are less clear than in specific clinical situations, like lymphoedema after surgery. However, there is some evidence that it may help reduce swelling and pain after general musculoskeletal injury, improve joint movement, and may support post-exercise recovery,” she says.
If you have an infection. This signals strongly that your lymphatic system isn't working properly, according to Wu. I went through a session at Re Place on the body roller machine - a device specially designed to stimulate cell regeneration and increase blood flow to the muscles by increasing the temperature during the rolling and by sending out infrared rays - and these are the benefits I experienced first-hand. 1. Better blood circulation Although lymphatic drainage has a medical use, it's also trending in the wellness sphere as a treatment promising to make you feel less bloated, puffy, and tense, not to mention help with fluid retention. Some experts even claim it can help with the breakdown of cellulite and fat cells, although more research needs to be done to conclusively prove the latter claim. Although Morellato maintains that a lymphatic drainage massage is suitable for most people aiming to improve their overall wellbeing, it can be especially beneficial for those who have undergone surgical treatments (aesthetic or otherwise), during and after pregnancy and those with poor gut health, lymphoedema, and lipoedema, she shares.That said, it's also important to note that the treatment is not suitable for individuals suffering from tuberculosis, bacterial, fungal or viral infections, those with open wounds, thrombosis, active cancer, or heart, kidney or liver failure. I tried lymphatic drainage massage for the first time - and have some thoughts Now for the question of, W hat is a lymphatic drainage massage good for if I'm healthy? Probs nothing more than relaxation and maybe some mild tension release. Your system is likely working just fine, says Koehler, adding that there’s no evidence the average person benefits from the massages. But hey, bodywork in general just feels pretty damn relaxing—so if you dig a service with lymphatic in the description, you do you. Are there any weight loss benefits? Lymphatic massage before-and-after photos are wild. I purposefully emptied my bladder prior to the treatment, but shortly into the massage, I felt an urge to go to the toilet. "This means it's working", says Priscilla. Now, I'm sceptical, and perhaps this is a coincidence, but let me tell you: I peed three times within the hour after that massage. If you have an injury, especially one in your lower leg."Injured areas do not circulate fluids well, so when you have a lot of swelling in there, you want to do a lymphatic drainage massage" as opposed to a traditional soft tissue massage, says Wu. Gravity pulling fluid down can make swelling worse for lower leg injuries, but a massage can get that fluid moving away from the area. Buy a dry brush. Dry-brushing your skin in circular motions (yes, this is a real thing, not just for influencers!) helps rev your internal flow, Wang says.
Now, I don't know about you but one of the things I always look for in a review of a treatment is what to wear (or not wear specifically). It can be so awkward when you don't know what to expect. So, for clarity: I stripped down to my pants and, laying down on a heated bed, placed a towel over my top half. During the treatment, Priscilla moved the towels as needed. I was also relatively tired when I arrived at my session. Without a morning coffee yet, I was feeling the effects of the working week - it was Friday morning after all. But after my session, I felt like I'd had a burst of energy and a brain refresh. This is a feeling that many people, including myself, get in the morning after exercise and it's one of the reasons to work out in winter. Although, I did find that I needed to drink a lot more water - which is to be expected, considering that you're encouraging your body to remove waste.First, let's break down what it is: "Lymphatic massage is massage that is specific for the lymphatic system," explains Karena Wu, PT, DPT, the owner and clinical director of ActiveCare Physical Therapy in New York City and Mumbai, India. The lymphatic network—made up of vessels and organs under your skin—is a crucial part of the immune system that works kind of like a garbage disposal (totally not gross!). Studies by The Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education looking at muscle fatigue in athletes post-exercise support this theory as well. They show that lymphatic drainage massage has the potential to reduce our blood lactate concentration levels, which is one of the markers of fatigue within a muscle that's just been exercised, and reduce our post-exercise muscle tension by decreasing swelling and increasing healing. It's one way to ensure that DOMS doesn't hit in the days after exercise. 2. Less tired than normal for the rest of the day It acts like a sanitation system for our body by getting rid of 'waste' that our body naturally produces, or other things that can invade our body, like bacteria," says Linda Koehler, PhD, an assistant professor of physical therapy and rehabilitation medicine at the University of Minnesota. "It's what protects us from getting an infection."
Hit the pool. Swimming is excellent for lymphatic movement, Koehler says. "The pressure of the water against the body provides a built-in ‘compression’ that also helps lymphatic circulation, plus there’s an increase in deep inhalations from the aerobic workout," says Koehler. Having started her career inThe Guardiannewsroom working with an award-winning team, Amy's proud to have reported on a variety of topics, speaking to a range of voices and travelling far and wide to do so. From interviews on ski lifts to writing up breaking stories outside courtrooms, Amy is used to reporting from a range of locations (she’s even been known to type up a story in a tent). There's not any significant research to suggest the two are linked for most people, however, I did find that the session had a real impact on my eating habits in the hours afterward. My experience begins by sitting down with Priscilla, my therapist at the Flavia Morellato clinic at Harvey Nichols, to discuss how I'm feeling, mentally and physically. I list all the usual - and most common - answers she hears daily: I'm feeling tired, sluggish, heavy and stressed. She asks about my gut and bowel movements, any aches and pains and we discuss any medical conditions and my general lifestyle. I'm pleased to hear that she's a trained physiotherapist - all of the therapists at Morellato's clinic are.Not in the market for a spa day? You can perform a lymphatic drainage massage on yourself, Wu confirms (although she adds that it's always best done by a professional). Here's how. The theory is that lymphatic drainage massages can help get rid of excess fluid in the body, adds Wu. Specifically, the process is designed to target "anywhere where there's excessive edema," a.k.a. swelling. "It can also help with other other general systemic conditions where you really want to move fluid and eliminate waste and toxins," she explains.
When I arrived at the studio last week, I was feeling a little under the weather. My muscles were aching as I’d just started training for a half-marathon alongside my regular strength training sessions, and given that I'd have time over the weekend to rest, I was expecting a heavy dose of delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) on Saturday morning - but that wasn't what happened at all. Does lymphatic drainage work for muscle soreness? Absolutely. Koehler points out, however, that bloating is a symptom that someone who has a normal functioning lymphatic system experiences. "Bloating will eventually go away on its own," she adds—without a special rub. Lymphatic drainage massages are luxurious spa treatments that have long been a celeb favorite for their many supposed benefits. A-listers claim they can help flush toxins, amp up immunity, and nix water weight and bloating. So is there any truth to all the rumors swirling around? This bit appeals to be the most, as a journalist who works in the health and fitness industry and regularly spends her weeks running, cycling, and weight lifting. My muscles often feel tight and heavy following my sessions, so anything that would help boost my recovery gets a yes from me.Try contrast hydrotherapy. Alternating between hot and cold water improves blood movement through the arteries, says Koehler. Some experts speculate it could improve lymphatic circulation too—but there isn’t solid evidence yet. There’s no harm in trying it: Switch from one minute of hot water to 30 to 60 seconds of cold water three times at the end of a shower, says Wang. Simply place the magnetic therapy earrings behind the earlobes and the Acupressure Earrings in the front. So, at most, you may experience a reduction in bloating post-lymphatic massage, but don't expect the results to last forever, and don't rely on a massage for weight loss. Can I take care of my lymphatic system any other ways (sans pricey massage)?
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