Lymphatic Drainage Massage
Lymphatic Drainage Massage
Lymphatic drainage massage is a slow, rhythmic massage, which follows the path of the lymphatic system of the body. It helps to eliminate waste more efficiently, reduces swelling and helps to improve skin texture.
What is Lymph?
Lymph is a clear, yellowish fluid that flows around the body in a separate system to the blood circulation system. Lymph is essential to your immune system and helps to fight infection in that it carries white blood cells and antibodies to your tissues and organs but it also hoovers up excess fats, bacteria, dead cells, viruses and more, keeping your body free of toxins.
So, your lymphatic system keeps the toxins flushed out of the body and keeps your immune system working properly.
The benefits of Lymphatic Drainage Massage
Improving lymph drainage and flow around the body through massage can benefit you in many ways:
- Boosts weight loss
- Reduces water retention
- Helps the body fight infection and speeds up healing and recovery from illness
- Is a popular and effective treatment for cellulite
- Can be used in the treatment of Lymph oedema (the build-up of lymph)
It can also improve complexion by:
- Reducing swelling, puffiness and blotches
- Giving you clean, healthy pores
- Speeding up healing in scar tissue, for example improving the appearance of stretch marks
Today’s lifestyles put pressure on the lymphatic system. Fatty or processed foods, eating too much sugar, living in polluted areas and drinking excess alcohol all result in toxin build up, causing the lymphatic system to work harder. Lymphatic drainage massage, in combination with healthy eating and exercise, can be a way to ease the effects of our lifestyles on our bodies.
Reflexology Lymph Drainage (RLD)
Reflexology Lymph Drainage (RLD) is a specific reflexology technique which focuses on stimulating the lymphatic reflexes on the feet. As the feet mirror the body, the full lymphatic system can be stimulated thus causing a very noticeable effect of the lymph/fluid in the body. It is a unique sequence that has been researched and developed by Sally Kay BSc (Hons), when she was working in cancer care. I had the pleasure of completing one of her courses this year June, 2020.
Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women in Ireland (excluding skin cancer). Most women diagnosed with breast cancer are over 50, but younger women can also get breast cancer.
About 1 in 8 women are diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime. There’s a good chance of recovery if it is detected in its early stages.
LYMPHEDEMA, is defined as tissue swelling due to the failure of lymph drainage and generally occurs in one or both arms and or legs. It is most commonly caused by the removal of or damage to lymph nodes as a part of cancer treatment.
After breast cancer a person may experience psychological or emotional difficulties due to altered body image, and a swollen limb can exacerbate this. Research suggests that survivors with lymphedema are more likely to suffer psychological and emotional difficulties, be more disabled, and experience a poorer quality of life than survivors without the condition. Improved breast cancer survival rates suggest that approximately 2:3 women survive the disease beyond 20 years. This means that more people are living longer with this debilitating side effect for which there is currently no cure.
Massage Lymph Drainage (MLD), and Reflexology Lymph Drainage (RLD) can help to assist in the removal of excess fluid build-up as in the case of Lymphedema but can also be used in the treatment of the following:
Arthritis Eczema – Asthma Allergies – Hay Fever Migraines Fibromyalgia
Chronic Fatigue/ME Sinuses problems Headaches Post-operative recovery (especially in the case of cosmetic surgery) I have noticed an increase in the need/request for lymph drainage post cosmetic surgery of which I have seen great results in assisting the lymphatic drainage return to normal flow and function. Pregnancy related oedema (great results over the years during pregnancy).
Having over 23 years’ experience in dealing with cancer reflexology, fertility, pregnancy and general reflexology on a clinical level, RLD is an added advantage with a general treatment or as a standalone treatment and each treatment can be tailored to suit your needs .
If you think that Lymphatic Drainage Massage could help you or you’d like to know more, don’t hesitate to contact me on 086 3893413