Lymphatic drainage massage, also known as manual lymphatic drainage, relieves swelling that occurs when medical treatment or disease blocks your lymphatic system. Lymphatic drainage massage involves gently manipulating specific areas of your body to help lymph move to an area with functioning lymphatic vessels.

Lymphatic drainage massage, also known as manual lymphatic drainage, relieves swelling that occurs when medical treatment or disease blocks your lymphatic system. Lymphatic drainage massage involves gently manipulating specific areas of your body to help lymph move to an area with functioning lymphatic vessels.

Overview:

What is lymphatic drainage massage used for?
Lymphatic drainage massage, also known as manual lymphatic drainage, is a gentle form of massage used to relieve painful swelling in your arms and legs caused by lymphedema.
Lymphedema occurs when your tissues retain fluid left behind as your cardiovascular system pumps blood to your tissues and organs.
The remaining fluid is called lymph. Normally, your lymphatic system collects your lymph and returns it to your heart through a network of lymph vessels and lymph nodes. When something obstructs the process of your lymphatic system, lymph collects in your arms and legs, causing them to swell.
A massage therapist uses lymphatic drainage massage techniques to move lymph from your tissues to your lymph nodes, which relieves swelling in your tissues.
Will lymphatic drainage massages work?
Health care providers are still studying whether lymphatic drainage massages make a difference. Some studies show that people aged 60 and older have benefited from lymphatic drainage massages.
Details of the procedure
How are lymphatic drainage massages done?
Lymphatic drainage massage is a two-step process:
* Cleansing: This step releases the lymphatic fluid in your tissues.
* Reabsorption: This step moves your lymph fluid to the lymph nodes.
Are there other ways to remove lymph fluid from my tissues?
Some people benefit from a mechanical process. In this process, you put a sleeve on the swollen arm or leg. The sleeve is connected to a pneumatic pump that pulses and helps your lymph flow from your tissues to your lymph nodes.

Summary:

What is lymphatic drainage massage used for?
Lymphatic drainage massage, also known as manual lymphatic drainage, is a gentle form of massage used to relieve painful swelling in your arms and legs caused by lymphedema.
Lymphedema occurs when your tissues retain fluid left behind as your cardiovascular system pumps blood to your tissues and organs.
The remaining fluid is called lymph. Normally, your lymphatic system collects your lymph and returns it to your heart through a network of lymphatic vessels and lymph nodes. When something obstructs the process of your lymphatic system, lymph collects in your arms and legs, causing them to swell.
A massage therapist uses lymphatic drainage massage techniques to move lymph from your tissues to your lymph nodes, which relieves swelling in your tissues.
Do lymphatic drainage massages work?
Health care providers are still studying whether lymphatic drainage massages make a difference. Some studies show that people age 60 and older have benefited from lymphatic drainage massages.
Details of the procedure
How are lymphatic drainage massages done?
Lymphatic drainage massage is a two-step process:
* Cleansing: This step releases the lymphatic fluid in your tissues.
* Reabsorption: This step moves your lymph fluid to the lymph nodes.
Are there other ways to remove lymph fluid from my tissues?
Some people benefit from a mechanical process. In this process, you put a sleeve on the swollen arm or leg. The sleeve is connected to a pneumatic pump that pulses and helps your lymph flow from your tissues to your lymph nodes.

What are some conditions that can benefit from lymphatic drainage massage?

Lymphatic drainage massages are often used to relieve lymphedema following breast cancer surgery. Other conditions that benefit from lymphatic drainage massages are:

• Rheumatoid arthritis : This is ongoing arthritis in your joints causing joint pain, swelling and stiffness.
• Fibromyalgia : This condition causes chronic muscle and joint pain.
• Chronic venous insufficiency : This happens when your leg veins aren't working effectively, making it hard for your blood to return to your heart from your legs.
• Lipedema : This happens when excess fat accumulates in your lower body, blocking your lymphatic pathway and causing lymphedema.

Are there any risks associated with lymphatic drainage massage?

Generally speaking, lymphatic drainage massage is a safe treatment to relieve lymphedema. There are some conditions and circumstances where lymphatic drainage massage is not recommended:

• You have a heart condition.
• You have kidney failure.
• You have blood clots.
• You have an infection.

Talk to your healthcare provider if you're concerned your physical health might be affected by lymphatic drainage massage.

What are some conditions that can benefit from lymphatic drainage massage?
Lymphatic drainage massages are often used to relieve lymphedema after breast cancer surgery. Other conditions that benefit from lymphatic drainage massages are:
* Rheumatoid arthritis: This is persistent arthritis in your joints that causes joint pain, swelling and stiffness.
* Fibromyalgia: This condition causes chronic muscle and joint pain.
* Chronic venous insufficiency: This happens when the veins in your legs don't work effectively, making it difficult for your blood to return to your heart from your legs.
* Lipedema: This occurs when excess fat accumulates in the lower body, blocking the lymphatic pathway and causing lymphedema.
Are there any risks associated with lymphatic drainage massage?
In general, lymphatic drainage massage is a safe treatment to relieve lymphedema. There are some conditions and circumstances where lymphatic drainage massage is not recommended:
* You have a heart condition.
* You have kidney failure.
* You have blood clots.
* You have an infection.
Talk to your healthcare provider if you are concerned that your physical health may be affected by lymphatic drainage massage.