How to Tell If You Need a Lymphatic Drainage Massage
The lymphatic system is more like the body’s cleaning service. It consists of vessels, nodes, and organs that work together to facilitate the proper flow of lymph, remove waste products from it, and direct the waste products to organs that are responsible for flushing them out of the body. If the lymphatic system is not working properly, lymphatic fluid and toxins can build up in your tissues and can put your body at risk of developing certain diseases.
A lymphatic drainage massage is a technique that involves the use of long, gentle, and rhythmic strokes aimed at restoring the lymphatic system’s optimal function.
Read on to learn about how to tell if you need a lymphatic drainage massage and the specific conditions that greatly benefit from its therapeutic effects.
Signs You Need Lymphatic Drainage Massage
The following conditions may seem innocuous, but if you experience some or many of them altogether chronically, it could be a sign that your body is suffering from toxin overload and you may therefore need a lymphatic drainage massage.
- Allergies and/or food sensitivities
- Bloating
- Brain fog
- Chronic lethargy (persistent tiredness)
- Constipation
- Depression
- Digestive problems
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Excess weight
- Increased susceptibility to colds and flu
- Sinus infections
- Skin problems/dry and or itchy skin
- Swelling in your fingers/rings fitting more tightly
Conditions That Benefit from Lymphatic Drainage Massage
There have been numerous studies that indicate the beneficial effects of lymphatic drainage massage in the treatment of a number of health problems, particularly:
o Lymphedema
Lymphedema is a chronic, debilitating condition characterized by an abnormal buildup of fluid in the soft tissues due to a blockage in the lymphatic system.
Lymphatic medicine specialists use decongestive lymphatic therapy—the combination of lymphatic drainage massage and compression bandaging—for the long-term management of lymphedema.
Researchers evaluated six trials involving the application of lymphatic drainage massage on women experiencing lymphedema following mastectomy (surgical removal of the breast done to prevent the spread of cancer). Results suggest that lymphatic drainage massage enhances the benefits of compression bandages in the treatment of lymphedema following mastectomy.
o Chronic Venous Insufficiency
Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) is a condition that occurs when the leg veins are not working effectively. It renders the blood from the legs unable to flow back up to the heart and causes it to pool in the legs.
Lymphatic drainage massage is also used as an adjunctive treatment method for CVI, and it has been touted for its therapeutic effect. Results of a 2017 study conducted to analyze the effect of lymphatic drainage massage in 57 adults with CVI indicate an improvement in their blood flow in the femoral artery and other blood vessels of the leg immediately after the massage.
Decongestive Lymphatic Therapy in Kansas City, MO
If you have been diagnosed with lymphedema or CVI and are looking for effective treatment, visit us at Missouri Vein Specialists. Our lymphatic medicine specialist Dr. Scott Darling offers decongestive lymphatic therapy and a number of other conservative vein disease treatment methods, helping scores of patients effectively manage their condition and live an excellent quality of life.
For more information about the benefits of decongestive lymphatic therapy or to schedule a consultation with Dr. Scott Darling, call us at (816) 792-3400. You may also use our online appointment request tool.
