Why Is Massage Beneficial For Lymphatic Drainage?

Your experience with the lymph system may be limited to the doctor's checking your lymph nodes as part of a routine office visit. Lymph nodes are just one structure of the lymph system. Proper lymph movement and lymph functioning is essential for overall health. Massage can support the lymph system, which helps maintain your health.

The Lymphatic System

The lymph system is part of the circulatory system. It is just one of a number of systems of your body. It is composed of lymph cells, or lymphocytes; lymph fluid; lymph vessels; lymph nodes; the spleen; bone marrow; the thymus and tonsils. There are three primary functions of the lymphatic system: To maintain blood volume and pressure, move fatty acids and vitamin A into the bloodstream for transportation throughout the body and fight disease-causing bacteria and other foreign bodies. Lymph fluid carries bacteria-killing lymphocytes, water and nutrients throughout the body.

General Massage Benefits

General massage techniques assist with the movement of lymph fluid through the lymph vessels. Unlike blood that is pumped through the body by the heart, lymph fluid is moved by muscle contraction and gravity. Massage helps manually move lymph fluid, which can become stagnated with lack of body movement.

Lymphatic Drainage Massage

Lymphatic drainage massage is a specific type of massage designed to aid the lymph system. Techniques of this form of massage consist of light, rhythmic movements moving toward the lymph nodes. Lymph nodes act as filters for lymph fluid, removing waste and bacteria and are the sites of lymphocyte production.

Immune Support

Massage helps support immunity by supporting the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system rids the body of foreign bodies including bacteria, cancer cells and viruses. Manually moving lymph fluid through the body helps maintain the immune system by keeping the body supplied with lymphocytes and cleaned of the waste created when bacteria and disease-causing agents are killed or filtered from the blood.

Decrease Swelling

Lymphedema, or swelling caused by decreased circulation of lymph fluid, can be the result of cancer treatment, surgery, injury or illness. Certain treatments or illnesses result in damage to or removal of lymph nodes, lymph vessels or other structures of the lymph system. Massage, specifically lymphatic drainage massage, helps decrease swelling caused by reduced lymph fluid circulation.