Lymphatic drainage
Your lymphatic system’s job is to flush all your toxins away, and keep you healthy. Lymphatic drainage massage can help.
What is lymphatic drainage?
Lymphatic drainage massage is a therapeutic massage treatment. The massage uses very light pressure and long, gentle, rhythmic strokes to increase lymphatic flow, with the aim of getting rid of toxins in your body.
What is lymph?
The lymph system is part of your body’s immune system; lymph helps fight infection and acts as a toxin filter. There are around twice as many lymph vessels as blood vessels in your body. However, unlike blood, which is pumped around your body by your heart, the lymph system has no pump. Lymph relies on the pressure from your blood vessels and movement from your muscles to carry white blood cells and antibodies around the lymph system.Lymph itself is a clear, slightly yellow fluid which flows easily through your body. It transports nutrients and oxygen to cells, collecting toxins on the way and then flushing the toxins out through the lymph nodes.Drinking alcohol, eating too much sugar, drinking too much tea and coffee, living stressed lives in polluted cities — there are many reasons these days why our bodies are full of toxins.
What is lymphatic drainage good for?
*Reduce the chance of you suffering from minor colds and viruses; it helps your body fight off infection and speeds up healing and recovery from illness* help reduce water retention; for instance, because the lymph system has no pump, if you sit for a long time without moving, the lymph can’t flow easily — this is why you may experience swollen feet or fingers* boost weight loss, as improving the lymphatic system will improve your metabolic rate, which helps you burn calories more efficiently
Manual lymphatic drainage is also used in the treatment of lymphoedema. Lymphatic drainage massage can improve your skin texture by:* reducing swelling, puffiness and blotches* giving you clean, healthy pores* speeding up healing in scar tissue, so it may, for example, improve the appearance of stretch marks.