Some social media timelines, more recently, have been flooded with messages and reels promoting lymphatic drainage massage as a wellness and lifestyle option. Glowing tributes to the wonders of getting such a massage from healthy influencers ring a warning bell as non-medical specialists once again try to hijack a therapy as a purely casual lifestyle, aesthetics and weight loss hack. it certainly does not give the body a detox, flushing out toxins, or cause weight loss While doctors say facial lymphatic drainage may increase blood circulation and reduce puffiness in the face and give skin a glow.
The lymphatic system performs a drainage function. As per the National Cancer Institute’s definition, lymph is a “clear, watery fluid that comes from plasma (the liquid part of the blood) that has leaked through the blood capillary walls into the spaces around cells. Lymph carries white blood cells, nutrients, and other substances throughout the body in lymph vessels. As lymph flows through the lymph vessels, it collects extra fluids, cellular debris, and harmful substances from the tissues and is filtered by lymph nodes. The filtered lymph returns to the bloodstream to help maintain fluid balance in the body and immune health. When this process is disrupted then, lymph fluid collects in your arms, legs, ankles or other parts of your body, making them swell. Other surgical interventions that warrant removal of lymph nodes might also cause inflammation, and there on, requiring lymphatic drainage. A properly-done lymphatic massage could, over sessions, possibly reduce swelling and clear up clogs in the lymphatic drainage and reactivate absorption by the nodes. As such, it can provide relief and improve immune activity. therapists usually avoid doing it for people who have blood clots, or deep vein thrombosis, heart disease, and cellulitis While the risks from a lymph massage are few. They also are advised to avoid massaging areas over cancerous tissues or skin that has been damaged during radiation. Some people might also suffer from fatigue, headaches and nausea, the Cleveland Clinic advisory points out, but a healthcare provider may be able to suggest measures to relieve that.
Because several lymph nodes may have to be removed during the process, it is also said to be pretty common among people recovering from some cancer treatments, including breast cancer surgery,.
“lymphatic drainage massage is a gentle form of massage used to relieve inflammation related to lymphoedema,” which is a swelling of the lymph nodes that could occur as a common side effect of many health conditions, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
