Drainage – twice a day
How to Prepare for Your First Lymphatic Massage
As a lymphatic massage therapist, I’ve used lymphatic massage to promote wellness in countless clients. However, I’m often asked beforehand how to prepare for a lymphatic massage to get the most out of the experience. A few helpful tips for lymphatic massage if it’s your first time.
Consult with Your Health Care Practitioner
First and foremost, I always recommend checking in with your healthcare practitioner before you book a lymphatic massage. This is particularly true if you are working with a medical professional for an illness you are suffering from. You may also want to inquire about what nutritional supplements to take before your massage, as there are many that can support the detox process.
Get Hydrated
Like with any massage, hydration is of paramount importance. Lymphatic massage, however, makes it more important. The entire point is to cleanse and destress your lymph system, and without proper hydration, you’ll only stall it.
Don’t stifle your body’s ability to detox itself. Instead, stay well hydrated long before you come in for your massage. Drink at least eight cups of water the day before and the day of your lymphatic massage. A good rule of thumb for hydration is clear urine. Staying hydrated will also prevent any post-massage illness as a result of the detox process.
Eat Very Little or do a Fast the day before your massage … arrive on an empty stomach.
Like drinking loads of water before your massage, you’ll also want to take a different approach to eating. Think of a massage as a medical process by consuming very little food before your visit. An empty, or near empty, stomach allows your massage therapist to properly drain your lymph system in your abdomen and lower organs. Having a full stomach not only hinders this process it can also make you feel uncomfortable.
Call if You’re Ill
If you aren’t feeling well, are fighting an illness or recovering from one, then you might not want as long of a session. Contact your therapist to figure out the best time to have a lymphatic massage if you’ve recently been ill. And, of course, if you are acutely sick and have a fever, it is contraindicated to have a lymph massage.
Wear Loose Fitting Clothing
Depending on your comfort level, the best way to have a massage is without clothing inhibiting the process. If you would rather leave clothing on, wear cotton and loose-fitting fabrics.
Another option is to request that your therapist work through the sheet.
What to Expect from Your Massage Experience?
Now that you know how to best prepare for your massage, you need to know what to expect from the experience.
First, your massage therapist will use a light to moderate touch. Their goal is to use just enough pressure to stretch and maneuver the skin but never to cause you discomfort or pain.
During my massages, I focus on the primary areas where your lymphatic system is rich with lymph nodes. These include your abdomen, armpits, neck, and hip area. Additionally, your organs such as your lungs, digestive tract, gall bladder, and liver will also be the focus of attention during the massage. And if you have any other areas, you’d like me to focus on I’d be happy to address those as well. Many clients prefer facial lymphatic massage.
Because of the process, you may notice some sensation of lymph fluids moving. This could feel like a coolness in your fingers, tingling sensations in your hands and toes, and digestive noises.
I also always ask clients if they’d like any other additional techniques to soothe any other areas that have been a source of complaint for you.
If you’re ready to detox your body and start feeling better, then I’d be honored if you would like to book your first lymphatic massage with me. Visit my contact me page to see my schedule and get started!
Your lymphatic system helps eliminate your body’s waste. A healthy, active lymphatic system uses the natural movements of smooth muscle tissue to do this.
However, surgery, medical conditions, or other damage can cause fluids to build up in your lymph system and your lymph nodes, a condition known as lymph edema.
If you’ve ever had a surgery on or involving your lymph nodes, your doctor may have suggested lymphatic drainage massage performed by a certified massage or physical therapist. |
However, lymphatic massage is not recommended for people with the following conditions:
congestive heart failure
history of blood clots or stroke
current infection
liver problems
kidney problems
There are several easy and effective ways to improve the health of both your cardiovascular and lymphatic circulatory systems:
Drink plenty of water.
Exercise regularly (both cardio and strength training)
Eat healthy.
Get a massage.
Try manual lymph drainage therapy.
Shake it up with vibration and rebounding therapies.
How to Detox the Lymphatic System
Book a lymphatic massage from a licensed massage therapist.
Avoid processed foods.
Eat natural foods that cleanse your lymphatic system.
Use herbs to clean out your lymphatic system.
Spend time in a steam room or sauna
Do a liver cleanse.
Exercise every day.
Use a small exercise trampoline
Lemon Water. Lymph is about 95% water, making water essential for its health.
Deep breathing stimulates lymph – CRITICAL for pulling toxic waste out because the rib cage is the lymphatic pump.
Lymphatic Friendly Foods to Add to Your Diet
Deep Leafy Green Veggies. Why It’s Good for the Lymph System.
Turmeric, Ginger, Cinnamon and Black Pepper.
Why It’s Good for the Lymph System. …
Seeds and Nuts.
Since movement acts like a pump for the lymphatic system, you just can’t go wrong with these foods!
Citrus.
How to Detox Your Liver the Natural Way. …
Berries.
Mango Sorbet with Banana and Pineapple.
Greens.
Sunflower and Pumpkin Seeds.
Chia, Hemp and Flax.
Herbs and Spices.
Seaweed and Algae.
Your body is fully equipped on its own to handle toxins and other unwanted substances.
Limit Alcohol.
Focus on Sleep.
Drink More Water.
Reduce Your Intake of Sugar and Processed Foods.
Eat Antioxidant-Rich Foods.
Eat Foods High in Prebiotics.
Decrease Your Salt Intake.
Get Active.
What to avoid
Do not strain your shoulders, neck, arm or hand
Do not self-massage if it causes pain
Do not do self-massage if you have an infection in the area that has swelling
Do not do self-massage if you think you have an infection. Infections can occur in your head, neck or face where your lymph nodes have been removed or you have had radiation.
Signs of an infection may include:
- Swelling and redness of the skin. This redness can quickly spread.
• Pain or soreness in your head, face or neck where you had treatment.
• Warm or hot feeling in your head, face or neck where you had treatment.
• Fever or chills.
• Feeling unwell.
Deep breathing is an important part of your self-care.
Deep breathing works like a pump in your body. This pump helps the lymph nodes and vessels move fluid. You can practice deep breathing at any time!
What to do:
- Place the palms of both hands on your stomach.
• Take a deep breath in through your nose until your stomach pushes against your hands.
• Breathe out slowly through pursed lips (like you are blowing out candles).
Then let your stomach go flat and relax.
• Repeat 5 times. Take a short rest between each breath so you do not feel dizzy.
Using a lymphatic vibration machine to rid your body of illness-causing toxins not only promotes lymphatic drainage, but it also may help you lose weight, ward off osteoporosis and enhance the functioning of your immune system. …
Whole Body Vibration is a widely used form of improving overall health and well-being.
See our website for more info: BYIMassage.com
You must take full responsibility for your body’s recovery.
Foam rolling is one of the most dependable ways to relieve muscle soreness, get myofascial release, and help with flexibility. … Foam rolling helps with lymphatic drainage, too, which means that fluid buildup around your fascia gets broken up, allowing you to move better.
Does foam rolling release toxins? Be gentle on yourself.
Just like a massage, foam rolling will break down the muscles and release toxins into the body. Don’t worry, this is a good thing. … This will help flush your system and fuel your muscles more effectively.
Your lymphatic system helps eliminate your body’s waste. A healthy, active lymphatic system uses the natural movements of smooth muscle tissue to do this.
However, surgery, medical conditions, or other damage can cause fluids to build up in your lymph system and your lymph nodes, a condition known as lymphedema.
If you’ve ever had a surgery on or involving your lymph nodes, your doctor may have suggested lymphatic drainage massage performed by a certified massage or physical therapist. However,
lymphatic massage is not recommended for people with the following conditions:
congestive heart failure
history of blood clots or stroke
current infection
liver problems
kidney problems
There are a number of easy and effective ways to improve the health of both your cardiovascular and lymphatic circulatory systems:
Drink plenty of water. …
Exercise regularly (both cardio and strength training) …
Eat healthy. …
Get a massage. …
Try manual lymph drainage therapy. …
Shake it up with vibration and rebounding therapies.
How to Detox the Lymphatic System
Book a lymphatic massage from a licensed massage therapist. …
Avoid processed foods. …
Eat natural foods that cleanse your lymphatic system. …
Use herbs to clean out your lymphatic system. …
Spend time in a steam room or sauna, says natural health writer and activist Jon Barron. …
Do a liver cleanse. …
Exercise every day.
Lemon Water. Lymph is about 95% water, making water essential for its health.
Deep breathing stimulates lymph – CRITICAL for pulling toxic waste out because the rib cage is the lymphatic pump.
Lymphatic Friendly Foods to Add to Your Diet
Deep Leafy Green Veggies. Why It’s Good for the Lymph System. …
Turmeric, Ginger, Cinnamon and Black Pepper. Why It’s Good for the Lymph System. …
Seeds and Nuts. Why They’re Good for the Lymph System. …
Citrus. Why They’re Good for the Lymph System.
Since movement acts like a pump for the lymphatic system, you just can’t go wrong with these foods!
Citrus. Source: How to Detox Your Liver the Natural Way. …
Berries. Source: Mango Sorbet With Banana and Pineapple. …
Greens. Advertisement. …
Sunflower and Pumpkin Seeds. …
Chia, Hemp and Flax. …
Herbs and Spices. …
Seaweed and Algae.
What to avoid
- Do not strain your shoulders, neck, arm or hand
- Do not self-massage if it causes pain
- Do not do self-massage if you have an infection in the area that has swelling
Do not do self-massage if you think you have an infection. Infections can occur in
your head, neck or face where your lymph nodes have been removed or you have
had radiation.
Signs of an infection may include:
- Swelling and redness of the skin. This redness can quickly spread.
- Pain or soreness in your head, face or neck where you had treatment.
- Warm or hot feeling in your head, face or neck where you had treatment.
- Fever or chills.
- Feeling unwell.
Deep breathing is an important part of
your self-care. Deep breathing works
like a pump in your body. This pump
helps the lymph nodes and vessels
move fluid. You can practice deep
breathing at any time!
What to do:
- Place the palms of both hands on your stomach.
- Take a deep breathe in through your nose until your stomach pushes against
your hands.
- Breathe out slowly through pursed lips (like you are blowing out candles).
Using a lymphatic vibration machine to rid your body of illness-causing toxins not only promotes lymphatic drainage, but it also may help you lose weight, ward off osteoporosis and enhance the functioning of your immune system. … Whole Body Vibration is a widely used form of improving overall health and well-being.
Then let your stomach go flat.
- Repeat 5 times. Take a short rest between each breath so you do not feel
dizzy.