In the beauty industry, treatments that tackle swelling and in particular cellulite are big business, and now many A-listers are turning to lymphatic drainage massage in an attempt to help with this.
The likes of Jennifer Aniston, Kim Kardashian and Sean 'Diddy' Combs are reported fans and the treatment has hit the headlines for its supposed instant health benefits and slimming powers. But what exactly is it?
Lymphatic drainage is one of several types of massage. Others include Swedish, sports, deep tissue and aromatherapy. All have a variety of benefits including stress reduction, improved circulation, and quicker recovery time between workouts. Choosing what type of massage depends on the desired outcome.
However, lymphatic Drainage massage is unique in that it targets the lymphatic system and is quite different from any other massage treatment.
What is the lymphatic system?
The lymphatic system is part of the body’s immune system. This comprises tissues and organs including the spleen, tonsils, bone marrow and the thymus. The lymphatic system is a network of interconnecting vessels and capillaries that mirrors the blood circulatory system.
At intervals within this framework there are bean-shaped structures called Lymph nodes and their job is to filter waste products and abnormal cells that your body doesn’t need. The fluid that drains from these cells is called lymphatic fluid, or simply lymph.
All these intricate parts work together to help protect the body from infection and disease. Though additional functions are to keep the body’s fluid levels in balance while returning any excess fluid to the bloodstream.
White blood cells are produced in the bone marrow providing protection against harmful viruses and bacteria.
The Lymphatic System also helps the body to absorb fats by using fluid from your intestines to transport larger fat molecules back into your bloodstream. This is why many people may choose lymphatic drainage massage to help with cellulite.
Who can benefit from lymphatic drainage massage?
Lymphatic drainage massage can be used to treat a wide range of conditions. Lymphedema, a condition in which abnormal or damaged veins cause fluid to flow into tissue, fibromyalgia, sports injuries, deep vein thrombosis and cancer patients – lymphatic buildup affects one in five females after treatment for breast cancer.
At the University of Bath, we support a wide variety of athletes from performance, breakthrough, pre-elite to elite. Our treatment for choice is sports massage used for prevention and recovery.
We use lymphatic draining techniques with injury and post-operations only. As part of our recovery clinics, compression boots are a great addition for athletes to use. At the lowest level setting these mimic lymphatic drainage massage.
Lymphatic drainage massage is one component alongside adequate hydration, healthy diet, exercise and sleep to improve your lymphatic system.
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How do I know if I need a lymphatic drainage massage?
If your lymphatic system is not working properly, extra fluid will build up in your tissues resulting in a build-up of toxins. This presents as swelling with puffy knees, ankles, and hands. Swollen lymph nodes are also common in the neck area during illness.
If lymph nodes have been removed or compromised owing to cancer treatment, the filter system stops working correctly, resulting in more and longer-lasting infections that can spread to other areas in the body.
Can a lymphatic drainage massage help me lose weight?
The light pressure of this type of massage boosts circulation and the removal of toxins and the treatment will help decrease swelling and water retention.
Remember, cellulite is a collection of fat cells that group together and push up against the layers of skin. As weight gain increases, the weight of the connective tissue pushes down on the fat cells giving the dimpling effect.
This is more commonly seen around the bottom and backs of your thighs. Lymphatic drainage massage may improve the appearance of cellulite but will not get rid of it completely.
The most likely cause of weight loss immediately following the massage is the loss of excess fluid and potential bowel movement that occurs afterwards.
What can I expect if I have a lymphatic drainage massage?
There are two types of Lymphatic drainage massage. These are known as manual lymphatic drainage and simple lymphatic drainage and are carried out and taught by a qualified practitioner.
The techniques used are called clearing and absorption. Unlike sports massage, techniques used should only affect the skin. The therapist uses gentle pressure with no pain or reddening of the skin. Sometimes no lotions are used.
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