Lymphatic Drainage Massage
- Neelam B.
- Jun 10
- 2 min read
When I began to research more about the lymphatic system, I realized that this amazing network inside the body is highly under-rated and not talked about often enough. In this day and age, all of our environmental toxins as well as what we unknowingly put on and in our bodies, come from all of the clothing, soaps, detergents, skincare, makeup, sunscreen, fragrances, plastics, heavy metals and processed food and pesticide-laden produce. All of these cause a heavy burden on the body, cells and organs.
Lymphatic drainage is a network of vessels and organs that run throughout your body, working behind the scenes to keep you healthy. It's part of your immune system and plays a crucial role in filtering out waste and toxins.
Imagine it as a sewage system for your body. It collects fluid called lymph, which contains waste products, dead cells, and pathogens, and filters it through lymph nodes. These nodes act like little factories, cleaning the lymph fluid and destroying harmful substances. Once cleaned, the lymph fluid is returned to your bloodstream.
Here's a simplified guide to self-performing lymphatic drainage massage:
Using clean hands, and wear loose clothing or shorts/t-shirt..
Start at the neck and head to open the lymphatic system. Rub each side of your neck with medium pressure about 5-10 times, then tap with cupped hands.
Then at the extremities and work your way upwards: This mimics the natural flow of lymph fluid towards the core.
Use light, gentle pressure: Aim for a soothing touch, not deep tissue massage.
Focus on circular motions and stroking: Gently mimic pushing fluid towards the lymph nodes.
Gently jump up and down bare feet, bending at the knees and shaking your arms. If your knees are stiff, you can keep your feet on the ground and gently bounce, bending at the knees and shaking your arms.
Common areas for self-massage: Neck, underarms, groin, abdomen, behind the knees.
For women: breast area.
You can do this every morning for about 5 minutes. Drink a glass of water after.
Watch this simple lymphatic drainage exercise for a visual.
Remember, this is a simple self-massage technique. If you have any underlying conditions or concerns, consult a healthcare professional before trying lymphatic drainage massage.
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