Your lymphatic system is tied to your immune system and has a lot of responsibilities. Some of the most important jobs of the lymphatic system are fighting sickness in the body, maintaining healthy body fluid levels, absorbing digestive tract fats and disposing of waste at the cellular level. When things like blockages or infections disrupt your lymphatic system, it can cause some serious health issues.
A lymphatic drainage massage uses specific techniques to address and treat issues caused by an unwell lymphatic system. If you are suffering from things like lymphedema, arthritis and fibromyalgia and accompanying symptoms like swelling, intense pain or tight muscles, a lymphatic drainage massage may play a pivotal role in your healing and treatment plan. This post will answer the most common questions people have about the lymphatic system and the type of massage used to treat it.
What Is The Lymphatic System?
The lymphatic system is made up of tissues, vessels and organs that move extra fluids back into your bloodstream. This fluid is busy bringing important nutrients to different cells and tissues in your body. It drops off the nutrients and before it leaves, it takes a bunch of wasted materials with it. Then the remaining fluid heads toward your tissues. The job of the lymphatic system is to round up this extra fluid and bring it back to the bloodstream where it belongs.
While this might not sound like a big deal, the lymphatic system has a lot of responsibilities. Some of the most important ones are helping your body maintain the proper level of fluids. It also absorbs fat from your digestive tract and helps fight off things like bacteria and parasites that try to enter your body and make you sick.
So you can imagine that when the lymphatic system is blocked or not working properly, bad things can start to happen. Your lymph nodes can become infected and swollen, leading to a whole host of problems. One of the biggest issues resulting from a broken lymphatic system is Lymphedema.
What is Lymphedema?
What happens when there is extra fluid in the body that the lymphatic system is not draining? Swelling. People who experience a lot of swelling in the arms and legs are usually diagnosed with lymphedema and it is often caused by a lymphatic system that is either damaged at birth or during a medical procedure or disease. The effects of lymphedema can be very painful and include everything from swelling of the limbs, to intense aches and pains, and often the inability to move your arms or legs.
How Can a Lymphatic Drainage Massage Help?
As a Registered Massage Therapist of almost ten years, I am trained in the specific techniques needed to perform a lymphatic drainage massage. By making soft patterns with my hands against the skin of the affected areas, I can manipulate the tissues to direct all that excessive fluid in your body towards the neck. Depending on the area we are working on, I will usually combine circular hand motions with light pressure to clear the area and redirect the lymph upwards.
There are so many benefits of a lymphatic drainage massage and not just for people with lymphedema. If you suffer from arthritis or fibromyalgia, a lymphatic drainage massage can be hugely beneficial. After treatment, my patients often see a reduction in swelling, pain relief, and a loosening of the joints and muscles.
How Do I Book a Lymphatic Drainage Massage?
If you are dealing with lymphedema, arthritis, fibromyalgia or excessive swelling in your arms or legs and think a lymphatic drainage massage could help, I highly recommend booking an appointment with me immediately. My clinic is located in West Edmonton (just fifteen minutes from West Edmonton Mall) and I have been working in the world of holistic health and medicine for almost a decade.
My goal as an Edmonton Massage Therapist is to help my patients improve their lives through realistic gains in their health and well-being. From improved functioning of the body to lessened pain, I take immense pride in the unique care I provide to each of my clients. I also understand that maintaining those results is equally as important as the day of your massage. I provide all my patients with the tools and at-home exercises to extend the positive results of their appointments and improve the quality of their lives.