Manual Lymphatic Drainage FAQs
Is Manual Lymphatic Drainage for me?
Manual lymphatic drainage is ideal for individuals experiencing fluid retention, bloating, swelling, sluggish circulation and fatigue. It’s also recommended for any healthy individual seeking to provide a boost to their immune system.
In addition, lymphatic drainage has been shown to be an effective in treating or helping manage a host of conditions, ailments and disorders, such as:
- Sinusitis, rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia
- Skin conditions like acne or rosacea
- Fluid congestion, resulting in swollen legs and ankles, or tired, puffy eyes
- Lymphedema and lipedema
- Autoimmune/inflammatory diseases with symptoms of swelling
- Fractures, torn ligaments and sprains
- Regeneration of tissues (after burns or post-op scars)
- Digestive disorders (e.g. irritable bowel syndrome, constipation)
- Post-traumatic edema (e.g. sports injuries)
- Plastic-surgery recovery
- Orthopedic and maxillofacial surgery recovery
- Scar treatment
- Symptoms of menopause
- Hysterectomy and C-section recovery
- Tinnitus, Meniere’s syndrome, trigeminal neuralgia, facial paralysis
- Immune-system support
What’s the science behind Manual Lymphatic Drainage?
The lymphatic system is a slow-moving network of fine vessels responsible for removing excess fluid, toxins, waste, and dead blood cells from tissue while delivering nutrients and oxygen to cells. It’s slow moving because, unlike with the blood, there is no pump like the heart assisting lymphatic movement. The task of your lymphatic drainage expert is to use gentle, rhythmic, pumping movements to stimulate lymph flow in order to transport excess fluid out of the tissues and into the cardiovascular system.
Unlike traditional massage, Manual Lymphatic Drainage therapists do not slide their hands on the skin; they gently pump and stretch and mobilize it to guide fluid toward lymph nodes, where waste is filtered before emptying into the veins.
Do you offer Wood Therapy or "Brazilian Lymphatic Massage"?
No. We specialize in Vodder-style lymphatic drainage, which has been considered the gold standard of the practice since it was introduced in 1936. Unlike other methods like Brazilian lymphatic drainage, the effectiveness of Vodder-style lymphatic drainage is backed up by several peer-reviewed studies and is taught around the world by renowned specialist institutions such as the Norton School of Lymphatic Therapy, the Academy of Lymphatic Studies, and the Vodder School International.
How effective is Manual Lymphatic Drainage?
Very! Manual lymphatic drainage’s ability to reduce swelling and improve circulation is supported by numerous peer-reviewed studies. Clients with chronic health issues such as rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, lymphedema, lipedema, venous edema in pregnancy and varicose veins have successfully been treated using lymphatic therapy. Total Body has many clients who have traded their weekly massage treatments for lymphatic massage, as they note feeling extremely relaxed during the treatment and feel energized afterwards. Lymphatic therapy is a favorite of clients wishing to reduce their dependence on pharmaceuticals and taking a more holistic approach to treating their ailments.
How long will my session be?
For a full-body manual lymphatic drainage session, your therapist will need 90 minutes to cover all areas of your body. While many clients ask for just 60 minutes, it’s important to note that a lymphatic drainage treatment for the entire body cannot be ‘hurried up’ and completed in less than 90 minutes. Your 90-minute wellness session at our day spa will start with a deep breathing technique, called diaphragmatic breathing, to help open the deep lymphatic pathways. It’s not only relaxing, but it helps increase movement of fluid toward the heart.
Is Manual Lymphatic Drainage contraindicated for some clients?
Yes. If clients are experiencing or have been diagnosed with any of the following, lymphatic drainage should not be performed. These can be grouped as follows:
Issues related to infections or cancer:
- Acute infections/fever (especially involving current use of antibiotics), as there is the potential for spreading the infection and/or stressing the immune system. It’s best to let your body heal itself at its own pace before making your appointment.
- Active cancer and/or malignant tumors, since cancer and its treatments can affect the lymphatic system in complex ways, making independent treatment inadvisable without medical guidance. Therefore, medical clearance from your oncology-care team is required in order to book your appointment.
Issues related to clotting and blood flow:
- Thrombosis or blood clots, since mobilizing fluid around a clot risks dislodging it, potentially causing a pulmonary embolism – a life-threatening emergency.
- Acute, active phlebitis, due to the risk of dislodging a clot.
- Congestive heart failure, since lymphatic massage increases the volume of fluid returned to circulation. An already-stressed heart may not be able to handle the added load.
- Cardiac arrhythmia, as vagal stimulation during treatment can potentially trigger or aggravate certain arrhythmias.
- Active rheumatoid arthritis flare-up, since lymphatic drainage can exacerbate inflammation.
- Uncontrolled hypertension, since Manual Lymphatic Drainage increases the return of fluid to central circulation (venous return), which raises the volume of blood the heart has to process. The key is the word ‘uncontrolled.’ In most cases, when a client is under a doctor’s care for hypertension, Manual Lymphatic Drainage can still be performed.
Issues related to fragile/compromised organs:
- Overreactive thyroid conditions, since stimulation of the neck and thyroid area can speed up thyroid hormone release into the bloodstream.
- Overly sensitive carotid sinus (a pressure-sensitive area in the neck that, when stimulated, can cause a sudden drop in blood pressure or heart rate).
- Acute kidney dysfunction, because the kidneys must process the fluid load that lymphatic drainage mobilizes; if they can’t handle it, the treatment could worsen the condition.
- Women in their first trimester of pregnancy should avoid Manual Lymphatic Drainage, out of an abundance of caution for your little one on the way.
There are also relative contraindications that may prevent our ability to treat you; these should be mentioned when booking your appointment:
- Asthma, since neck and chest work might occasionally trigger bronchospasm.
- Low blood pressure (hypotension), since the treatment has a relaxing, parasympathetic effect that can drop blood pressure further.
- Recent surgery or open wounds, since there might be an infection risk.
- Recent cardiac disorders such as heart attack or angina pectoris.
Do I need to fast or drink water for my Manual Lymphatic Drainage Treatment?
The lymphatic therapy experts at Total Body remind our clients to drink plenty of water for two to three days prior to their visit, and especially on the day of their treatment. Limit coffee and alcohol intake on these days as these can contribute to dehydration. As for eating, our therapists recommend not eating too close to your treatment; a light meal 2-4 hours prior is OK.
Should I wear anything special to my Lymphatic Massage Session?
Lymphatic drainage is performed strictly on bare skin. Total Body’s therapists are trained to follow proper draping techniques that avoid exposure of private areas and the breasts. If you prefer, disposable underwear can be provided to you.
Can I resume my life after my session?
For the most part, yes. Rest and continued hydration are most advisable as this allows your body to continue processing what was activated during the treatment. Light exercise (swimming, walking) is OK. Avoid overeating and limit your sodium and alcohol intake on the day/evening of your session and consider going to bed early and getting some well-needed rest.
Should Manual Lymphatic Drainage be painful in any way?
Almost never. Your trained lymphatic therapists at Total Body never receive complaints from clients that a treatment is causing pain. The gentle, rhythmic movements work only the surface level of your skin in order to activate the lymph system located just below the skin. This allows most clients to enter into a state of deep relaxation. Even in the case of post-op recovery, in which clients come to us feeling beaten up and bruised from recent surgery, our restorative techniques almost never cause discomfort to our clients.
How will I feel after a Manual Lymphatic Drainage session?
After a lymphatic drainage massage, most people feel deeply relaxed — almost like a post-massage calm. Many Total Body clients notice a sense of lightness, commenting that they ‘floated’ out of treatment room! You may also notice reduced puffiness, particularly in areas that tend to retain fluid. Clients’ bodies react differently to lymphatic massage. Some may feel slightly tired or sleepy immediately afterward, but more energized after a good night’s sleep. Others feel more energized much more quickly. It’s common to need to urinate more frequently, as the body flushes out excess fluid; for this reason, staying hydrated afterward is important.
Can I work out after a Manual Lymphatic Drainage session?
Yes, but keep it on the light side. Light physical activity – especially yoga, walking or swimming – is beneficial after a manual lymphatic drainage treatment in order to extend the drainage activity begun during your visit to our spa.
How loong do the effects of Manual Lymphatic Drainage last?
The effects of a lymphatic drainage session generally last from a few days to several weeks. Because results are cumulative, regular sessions are encouraged to successfully gain the upper hand on chronic conditions. You and your therapist should work together on tailoring a schedule that meets your needs. To prolong these benefits, focus on self-care through hydration, exercise, a low-sodium, anti-inflammatory diet, and compression garments when appropriate.
Do you offer any other techniques with Manual Lymphatic Drainage?
True Vodder-method lymphatic drainage is regularly combined with other treatment modalities at Total Body in Wayne NJ. We have successfully used ultrasound therapy and myofascial techniques to treat clients with post-op lumps or scar tissue. We also employ manual lymphatic drainage in our facial treatments to reduce puffiness and swelling, as well as at the end of our body sculpting treatments, to help flush away fat that is broken down during cavitation.
Is Lymphatic Drainage good for weight loss?
Beware of providers promising fat loss through lymphatic massage alone. While it can make you seem immediately thinner and more shapely due to loss of water weight, manual lymphatic drainage is not a weight-loss method in itself, nor is it a replacement for regular exercise and a healthy diet. At Total Body, we encourage Manual Lymphatic Drainage as an accompaniment to other weight-loss treatments. For example, if you’re doing cavitation during our Body Sculpting treatment, you are breaking down fat cells into fatty acids and glycerol. Adding lymphatic drainage after Body Sculpting is perfect in helping escort those fat cells out of your body more efficiently.
Can Manual Lymphatic Drainage help with menopause symptoms?
The lymphatic system plays a critical role in female hormonal balance. A well-functioning lymphatic system can help reduce the dreaded side effects of menopause, with lymphatic massage serving as a key tool that can deliver significant improvement. A 2017 study in the Journal of Physical Therapy Science reported the positive effects of lymphatic drainage on women experiencing typical menopausal symptoms including water retention, mood swings, insomnia and fatigue. The encouraging study found that, after just a single lymphatic massage, the stress-related hormones cortisol and DHEA were significantly reduced with positive mental and physical effects being reported. These results were obtained by helping reduce inflammation, promote relaxation, flush metabolic waste and improve circulation.