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Lymphatic Drainage Massage
What is lymphatic drainage?
Lymphatic drainage massage is a therapeutic massage treatment that uses very light pressure and long, gentle, rhythmic strokes to increase lymphatic flow and get rid of toxins in your body.
So what is lymph?
Lymph is a clear, slightly yellow fluid that flows around your body, carrying white blood cells and antibodies to your tissues and organs. These are essential to your immune system and help you fight infection.
Day after day, we dump toxins into our bodies: we eat badly, we live in dirty cities full of pollution, we drink too much alcohol, eat too much sugar and our lifestyles are unforgiving and unhealthy. Your lymphatic system's job is to flush all the toxins away, and keep you healthy.
Lymphatic drainage massage boosts the flow of lymph around your body, refreshing your immune system and flushing out toxins.
What is lymphatic drainage good for?
Because lymph is so key to keeping your immune system working properly, improving its flow and drainage around the body is good for you in lots of ways. Lymphatic drainage massage can have a powerful effect on your general health:
* It can help your body fight infection and speed up healing and recovery from illness
* It is a popular and effective treatment for cellulite
* It reduces water retention
* It can boost weight loss
* Manual lymphatic drainage is used in the treatment of lymphoedema
It can improve your skin texture by:
* reducing swelling, puffiness and blotches
* giving you clean healthy pores
* speeding up healing in scar tissue, so it can, for example, improve the appearance of stretch marks
Precautions
You should always tell your therapist in advance if you:
* are, or think you might be, pregnant
* have any medical conditions or are receiving any treatment or medication
* have recently had an injury or operation
* are allergic to anything, particularly skin allergies
* have any broken skin or sores on your scalp
as this may affect the kind of treatment you receive.
Before any massage treatment, avoid large meals or alcohol. It's also a good idea to drink plenty of water, which will help your body to flush the toxins out of your body.
What to expect from lymphatic drainage massage
This massage treatment usually takes place in a heated room; warmth is an important factor in increasing lymphatic flow. You are also likely to be more relaxed if you're not cold.
Lymphatic drainage massage is usually given on a massage table, and you will be draped in discreetly-placed towels.
Lymphatic drainage massage uses very light pressure, as well as long, gentle, rhythmic strokes and soft pumping movements in the direction of the lymph nodes (the main lymph nodes are situated in the neck, armpits, and groin). A session usually lasts for between 30 minutes for a localised session, or about an hour for a full-body treatment.
Hot tip!
Lymphatic drainage is about flushing out your system; you can do this every day by drinking plenty of water.
Afterwards
Lymphatic drainage can leave you feeling exhausted. It is likely you'll want to have a lie down, or at the very least, a very undemanding schedule for the rest of the day. You might like to stretch yourself to a gentle swim or a sauna afterwards. Give your body time to ease back into activity.
It will also leave you really thirsty. It's quite strange the first time you experience this; even if you're not usually a water-drinker!
What will I need to provide?
All you need to provide is a relaxing, warm and private area within your home. Somewhere you’ll not be disturbed by others or a ringing phone. Preferable an area on the ground floor with low lighting as this helps you relax more, but this is not necessary. I will need quite a bit of space for my massage table, about the same space as a 3 seated sofa and enough space to walk round it (minimum 3 sides). Access to an electrical outlet my MP3 player so we can play some relaxing therapeutic music.
How long will my massage last?
Your massage will be around 45 to 60 minutes and in additional there is the time it takes to set up the couch, your consultation and then to pack up at the end so I will be in your home for around 1.50. Your first session could be around 20 minutes longer due to the in-depth consultation needed.
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