The lymphatic system has several important functions. It helps to defend you against disease and it drains fluid from your muscles, skin, connective tissue and organs, purifying the fluid in your lymph nodes before returning it to the cardiovascular system. Lymph circulation isn't continuous, as blood circulation is, and it is dependent on a variety of factors. Lymph circulation can be irregular or even stop in areas of the body where the lymphatics become blocked. Edema, water in your tissues, is a symptom of decreased lymph flow. Lymph drainage massage can restore lymph circulation and drain the tissue fluid that has accumulated.
Initial Lymphatics
Massage moves the skin, which pulls on microscopic fibers connected to openings in lymph capillaries. Pulling on those fibers widens the openings and allows fluid from your tissues to be absorbed into the lymphatics and travel to lymph nodes where disease-causing microorganisms are destroyed.
Pressure and Rhythm
Lymph capillaries contract in response to changes in tissue pressure. As tissue fluid is absorbed into the initial lymphatics, the walls of the lymphatics sense the increased pressure and they contract, squeezing fluid forward to the next section. This rhythmic contraction is called the lymphatic pump. Massage mechanically pushes fluid through the lymphatics by pressing on the vessels themselves. Also, when the massage therapist mimics how the lymph vessels work by using matching pressure and rhythm, it stimulates the lymphatic pump to contract more often and in a more regular rhythm.
Direction
Lymph vessels contain valves that prevent back flow. When tissue fluid is absorbed into lymph vessels, it can only go one way: toward the lymph nodes. Lymph drainage massage focuses on helping lymph vessels by massaging toward the lymph nodes. There is a rich bed of lymphatics located just below the skin, where most lymph circulation happens, and massage compresses those lymphatics, moving the fluid in them toward the nearest nodes.
Relaxing Muscles
Tight muscles prevent lymph flow inside the muscles themselves. Lymph circulation inside muscles depends on the alternate tightening and relaxation of muscle fibers. If the muscles stay tight all the time, the lymphatics are compressed and there is no lymph movement. Relaxing the muscles with massage takes pressure off the lymphatics so they can absorb tissue fluid. Then normal muscle movements help to move lymph fluid toward nodes.
References
- "Foundations of Manual Lymph Drainage"; Michael Foldi, Roman Strossenreuther; 2004
- "Textbook of Dr. Vodder's Manual Lymph Drainage"; Hildegard Wittlinger; 2003
- "Silent Waves: Theory and Practice of Lymph Drainage Therapy..."; Bruno Chikly; 2001
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