How Lymphatic Drainage Can Support a Healthy Immune System

If you’re on wellness social media right now, you’ve certainly seen the lymphatic massage, also known as lymphatic drainage, trend pass through your feed. In this post, we’ll break down the science behind the modality and if it deserves the praise. (Hint….we think it’s worth considering, especially during cold and flu season!)

What is the Lymphatic System?

The lymphatic system is a network of vessels and organs that help to remove waste and toxins from the body. It also plays a crucial role in supporting a healthy immune system and fighting off infections.

The lymphatic system is responsible for filtering the lymph, a clear, colorless fluid that contains immune cells. When the lymphatic system is functioning optimally, it can help to boost the immune system by removing waste and toxins from the body more effectively. When it’s not functioning properly, your lymph nodes can swell, cause pain and even start a “traffic jam” like a backup in your body. It's important to have a healthy lymphatic system because it helps boost the immune system by producing and transporting immune cells throughout the body smoothly.

Benefits of Lymphatic Drainage

One way to support the function of the lymphatic system is through the practice of lymphatic drainage. Lymphatic drainage is a therapeutic massage technique that aims to stimulate the flow of lymph throughout the body. The massage therapist uses gentle, rhythmic strokes to help move the lymphatic fluid, which can become stagnant due to inactivity, illness, active infections, stress, or poor diet. This helps to increase the efficiency of the lymphatic system and support the body's ability to eliminate waste and toxins.

Lymphatic drainage massage can also be beneficial for individuals who suffer from lymphedema, a condition in which the lymphatic system is unable to properly remove lymphatic fluid from the body, causing swelling and inflammation in the affected area. Lymphatic drainage massage can help to reduce this swelling, improve mobility, and ease pain and discomfort. It can also help promote detoxification for those living with a chronic illness. Properly detoxing is essential for many illnesses like Lyme Disease.

In addition to massage, there are other ways to support the lymphatic system, such as regular exercise, drinking plenty of water, reducing stress, and a healthy diet. Eating fruits and vegetables that are high in vitamins and minerals can also help to support the immune system and improve the function of the lymphatic system.

Common Methods of Lymphatic Drainage

There are several different methods of lymphatic drainage, including:

1. Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD): This is a gentle, rhythmic massage technique that is performed by a trained therapist. The therapist uses light, circular strokes to stimulate the flow of lymph and help remove waste and toxins from the body. This method is particularly beneficial for individuals who suffer from lymphedema or have had lymph nodes removed as a result of cancer treatment.
2. Self-Manual Lymph Drainage: This is similar to MLD, but instead is self-administered, following a specific technique, usually a series of specific sequences of circular and linear strokes to stimulate the lymph flow throughout the body, this can be done in the comfort of your own home, with many tutorials available, like this one here.
3. Compression Therapy: This method involves wearing compression garments, such as compression stockings or sleeves, to help move the lymphatic fluid and reduce swelling. Compression therapy is often used in combination with manual lymphatic drainage massage and is commonly used to treat lymphedema.
4. External Lymphatic Drainage Devices: This method uses mechanical devices, such as manual pumps, electrical stimulation, and ultrasound, that are used to help stimulate the flow of lymph and remove waste and toxins from the body. Some of these machines can also be used at home under the guidance of a therapist.

In conclusion, lymphatic drainage is a gentle massage technique that can support the body's ability to remove waste and toxins, which leads to a stronger immune system. Regular lymphatic drainage massage and other activities to improve lymphatic function are beneficial for overall health and can also help to alleviate symptoms associated with lymphedema and certain chronic illnesses.

That said, to keep the lymphatic system running smoothly, it is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle, which includes regular exercise, drinking plenty of water, reducing stress, and  consuming an anti-inflammatory diet. Our Memberships here at ivee can help you do just that. If you’re interested in learning more about how to optimize your detoxification pathways in order to support your overall health, our medical team is happy to help! Click here to schedule a Complimentary Health Coaching session now.

It's worth noting that before starting any lymphatic drainage therapy, it is recommended to consult a healthcare professional, especially if you have a medical condition or are pregnant. Depending on your condition and symptoms, some methods may not be suitable for you.