Lymphatic Drainage
About Lymphatic Drainage
Lymphatic Drainage is a deeply supportive modality that takes some of the burden off of the lymphatic system and gently breaks up and moves congested lymph. Through regular lymphatic drainage and lymphatic health lifestyle support, we can reduce the buildup and return flow to our whole system, significantly improving our body’s self-healing ability.
With lymphatic drainage we are working with the waters of the body. As we see in nature, healthy waters are waters that flow freely; standing water gets murky and habitable to bacteria and disease. When our lymphatic system becomes congested—increasingly common with the prevalence of pesticides, chemicals, and microplastics in our daily lives—we may feel this stagnation on many levels. Fatigue, lethargy, heaviness, swelling and bloating, even trapped emotions and trouble letting things go can reflect congestion in the lymphatic system. We also see impacted immune health and thus more frequent illness or bacterial and fungal overgrowths.
Who Lymphatic Drainage is for
While everyone can benefit from this work, lymphatic drainage is especially helpful for those experiencing autoimmunity, chronic illness, or a high toxin burden.
Other conditions for which lymphatic drainage can be supportive are:
cancer
chronic fatigue
chronic pain
endometriosis/pelvic pain
gastrointestinal issues
hormonal imbalances
Lyme disease
MCAS
migraines
mold/heavy metal toxicities
nervous system dysregulation
postpartum
pre- and post-op
swollen lymph nodes
trauma (emotional or physical)*
* Please remember that bodywork, while extremely supportive, is not a substitute for medical care, especially if you are experiencing one of the conditions listed above. It is recommended that you consult with a qualified health practitioner if you are unsure whether lymphatic drainage would be appropriate for your condition. I generally request that you have been released for bodywork by a health care provider if you are seeking treatment post-op or currently undergoing cancer treatment.
What to Expect
This treatment combines manual hands-on work with Lymphatic Enhancement Technology (LET) from the Lymphstar Pro machine. The hands-on lymphatic drainage techniques are slow and rhythmic, based on the Vodder method of Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD). With MLD we are working gently at the level of the skin to encourage flow in the lymph fluid just below the surface. Areas of focus mirror the areas where our lymph nodes are most concentrated—the neck, chest, armpits, abdomen, and hip creases.
The Lymphstar Pro is a machine that gently emits pulsating sound and light frequencies to break up lymphatic congestion. By alternating between the Lymphstar Pro and manual lymphatic techniques, we can do the equivalent of many hours of lymphatic work in one session. For the Lymphatic Enhancement Technology (LET), a pair of wands is swept over the surface of the skin—you will likely feel nothing beyond a slight tickle. LET has been shown to improve blood and lymph flow and release trapped toxins and cellular waste, allowing them to flow out through the lymphatic system as they are meant to.
FAQ
-
In short, the lymphatic system is the foundation of the immune system. There are lymphatic vessels running through the entire body, mirroring the pathways of the cardiovascular system. After blood has delivered its oxygen and nutrients to the cells, about 15% of the blood plasma seeps out of the cardiovascular system and becomes interstitial fluid. The lymphatic capillaries absorb this fluid, which not becomes lymph. As the lymph circulates through the body, it is delivering and absorbing nutrients, transporting cellular waste and excess hormones to be detoxed, and monitoring the body for foreign invaders.
We have clusters of lymph nodes in all our major joints—the neck, armpits, abdomen, hip crease, and knee. Skeletal movement and diaphragmatic breathing help massage the node clusters and move the lymph. Lymph travels through this one-way circuit until it reaches the terminus, or "main drain," at the collarbone, where the lymph fluid reenters the cardiovascular system at the heart. Along the way, the lymph fluid is carrying lymphocytes (white blood cells), which are finding and killing invaders such as bacteria, cancer cells, viruses, parasites and fungi. By the time the lymph reaches the heart, it is as clean and clear as possible.
-
Where our cardiovascular system has a heart to pump our blood, the movement of our lymphatic system is entirely dependent on physical movement and deep diaphragmatic breathing. With lymphatic drainage, we are mimicking the gentle pumping of the lymphatic system for extra support when the lymph is having a harder time flowing. With the combination with LET and MLD, we are both breaking up areas of congestion or stagnation and gently moving the lymph fluid throughout the entire body.
A lymphatic treatment is wonderful way to support an over-burdened system. Clients will often report feeling deeply relaxed, lighter, clearer, energized, or more fully embodied.
-
Lymphatic drainage has become more popular as part of a general wellness routine, and is an excellent way to support your immune system, the health of your whole body.
Lymphatic drainage is also very supportive when there is a healing demand on the body and the body is less mobile, such as after surgery, after a period of illness, postpartum, or with chronic illness/fatigue.
Additionally, the lymphatic system can become congested simply from factors of our modern world—high stress, toxin exposure, long stretches of sitting, dehydration, etc.
Signs that you may be dealing with lymphatic congestion are:
chronic fatigue
swelling or fluid retention
chronic aches or joint pains
bloating
brain fog
headaches
breast swelling before menstruation
constipation
-
Unfortunately, no! Please stay home if you have cold/flu symptoms, a fever, an active virus/infection, or are on antibiotics—these are contraindications for bodywork.
When we get sick and we notice the lymph nodes in our neck are swollen, it’s easy to want to go in and get them drained down to normal size. But, the lymph nodes are swelling because they’ve detected a pathogen or virus, and are trapping that pathogen so the lymphocytes can do their work to destroy it before it spreads to other areas of the body. If we do lymphatic drainage during an acute infection or fever, we risk driving the virus deeper into the body. It’s better to rest, stay hydrated, and let your lymphatic system do it’s job!
If your cold/flu symptoms and fever have resolved and you still have swollen lymph nodes, this can be a good time for lymphatic drainage to reset the lymphatic system—sometimes after an acute infection the lymph nodes need some support to flow again.
-
The lymphatic drainage treatment is excellent at moving fluid and pulling toxins out of our tissues, but we depend on our body’s elimination pathways to complete the process. If our drainage pathways are challenged, it's not uncommon to experience flu-like symptoms for 1-2 days, such as headache, fatigue, nausea, or fever. Detoxification is an energy-intensive process—your body likely did a lot of work and is cueing you to hydrate and rest.
Here are some ways to enhance the benefits of your treatment and reduce the possibility of detox symptoms:
Water + electrolytes: Our lymph becomes more viscous when we’re dehydrated, slowing down its flow. Extra hydration before and after your session will help flush out anything that was stirred up. I like coconut water with Celtic salt and lime juice, Quinton Hypertonic sea water, or bone broth for mineral-rich hydration.
Limit caffeine and alcohol beforehand: For the days leading up to your appointment, do your best here to give your liver a break so it's more resourced to focus on lymphatic detoxification in your session.
Sweating: Our skin is one of our major drainage pathways. Gently working up a sweat can be hugely supportive after lymphatic drainage. Try an epsom salt bath/foot soak or sauna.
Gentle Movement: Yoga, walking, rebounding, breathwork, Qi gong—all are wonderful additions to your movement practice and especially helpful before or after your session to prime your lymphatic system for flow.
Sleep: Our body does so much of its detoxification while we sleep, most critically in our liver and brain. Getting a good night’s sleep before and after your session will make all the difference.
.
* For clients with a high toxic burden:
If you're working with MTHFR, Lyme, mold/mycotoxins, etc, or if you are chronically constipated, some extra drainage support may be appropriate after your session. In addition to the above recommendations, try:
Take a gentle binder before your session. A binder will help your body mop up and eliminate any toxins stirred up during your treatment so they aren't reabsorbed. I use CellCore's Biotoxin Binder, which is very gentle and does not interfere with mineral or supplement absorption.
Colon hydrotherapy or coffee enema. Scheduling a colonic within 24 hours after a lymphatic drainage treatment is a wonderful way to complete the detoxification work we initiated in our session. Coffee enemas are hugely supportive for liver detoxification and increasing glutathione production, and are a great tool to prevent and clear herx reactions.
Castor Oil. I offer castor oil during your session, but it is also helpful to apply it topically over your liver for a longer period or overnight after your session. I like the Queen of Thrones castor oil pack.
-
The answer to this question will be different for everyone — there is never a one-size-fits-all when it comes to healing! I can offer your body all the lymphatic support I am capable of, and ultimately it is your body that will determine the pace of your healing.
Generally, I would recommend that new clients receive three sessions within 6-8 weeks to determine if this work feels supportive for them or not at this time. Lymphatic drainage may be something you wish to receive 2-4 times a month in the more intensive healing phases of your life, and once every month or two when your symptoms are less acute. Feel free to email me about your current experience and I'd be happy to offer my recommendation.