Lymphatic drainage massage is one of women's best friends: it delivers immediate and long-term results, provided it is performed correctly. If you are not yet familiar with it, here is its history, function and distinctive features.

What lymphatic drainage is and where it comes from

Lymphatic drainage — also called lymph drainage or lymphatic drainage massage — is distinctive for two main reasons: its holistic approach places it at the intersection of aesthetics and medicine, as it acts on the flow path of the lymphatic vessels, bringing benefits such as improved capillary circulation; it also has an important draining, or anti-oedematous, action, as it eliminates stagnant fluids by promoting lymphatic circulation. The lymphatic vessels are extremely delicate, which is why a very particular technique is required — one that involves no use of force, but rather gentle, slow, rhythmic, harmonious movements aimed at restoring the water balance in the tissues.

The best-known and most widely practised manual lymphatic drainage technique is the so-called Vodder method, named after its inventor. Historically, it is attributed to the Danish biologist Emil Vodder, who, in the 1930s, developed a protocol specifically designed to promote the flow of lymph through the body.

The lymphatic system

Lymph — a fluid very similar to blood, composed of water, salts, proteins and lymphocytes — passes through every region of the body, cleansing it of metabolic waste accumulated in the tissues. Along its path are scattered various "stations", the lymph nodes, where lymph is freed of the toxic residues it has collected and returns to circulate through the tissues.

The path of lymph through our body is comparable to that of blood in the circulatory system; the only difference lies in the way the fluids flow. In the circulatory system we have a motor that continuously acts as a pump — the heart — whereas in the lymphatic system the movement of lymph is generated by the contraction of the muscles, which squeeze the contents of the vessels. It is precisely to assist our lymphatic system that manual lymphatic drainage treatments are practised: they encourage the flow of lymph through the lymphatic system.

What lymphatic drainage massage is used for

Lymphatic drainage is currently used above all to combat cellulite and improve the appearance of the lower limbs.

The first result of a good lymphatic drainage is indeed the disappearance of swelling, the elimination of excess fluids (immediately) and the gradual reduction of cellulite. This is why it enjoys a particularly good reputation among women.

The fundamentals of lymphatic drainage massage

The mechanism by which lymphatic drainage works is explained by the acceleration of lymphatic flow — an increase in the lymphatic current that "carries away" harmful substances from the wound area, while the arrival of fresh lymph also brings nutrients with a restorative and reconstructive action to the area.

The result is an improvement in microcirculation, with the release of excess interstitial fluid from the tissues, better cellular oxygenation and an acceleration of the filtration-reabsorption processes at the blood capillary level. Good nourishment of the body's tissues enables cell renewal, strengthens immunological resources and improves aesthetic condition. Lymphatic drainage promotes all of these conditions and therefore proves useful not only in cases of water retention and cellulite, but in all cases of oedema and blood stasis resulting from surgical procedures, and in conditions where it is necessary to strengthen the immune system.

The manual action of lymphatic drainage (in particular the Manual Lymphatic Drainage technique according to Vodder), performed through slow and rhythmic movements, propels the lymph towards the lymphatic stations, thereby preventing the stagnation of fluids and toxins in the tissues. This technique, which is also extremely relaxing, fulfils another task of the utmost importance: the renewal of the intercellular, or interstitial, fluid. A continuous supply of "fresh" lymph is indeed essential, so that better-nourished cells can renew themselves and live longer. In this way, the repair of tissues compromised by wounds or irritative processes is facilitated and, as a result, their aesthetic appearance is also improved.

By freeing the tissues of excess interstitial fluid, better cellular oxygenation is also achieved, along with an acceleration of filtration and reabsorption processes at the capillary and blood level. The improvement in microcirculation is exploited in the treatment of cellulite, together with the anti-oedematous effect. Ideally, it should be used as a complement to mesotherapy treatments: performed at least one or two days beforehand, it prepares the area to be treated, and subsequently, after one or two days, it allows the injected fluid to be absorbed into the surrounding areas as well.

Manual lymphatic drainage

Manual lymphatic drainage achieves a complete and immediate regeneration of the tissues, as well as a lasting reduction in oedema and very often in pain too. It also leads to the rebalancing of the Neurovegetative System and an overall psychophysical relaxation. Furthermore, the body's own immune defences are strengthened, since massaging the lymph nodes promotes the release of lymphocytes, which pass into the lymph and then into the blood, increasing resistance against infections.

Thanks to its many effects, manual lymphatic drainage is used in the scientific treatment of the lymphatic system for the resolution of oedema in post-operative recovery, in cases of venous insufficiency, in the treatment of cellulite and of various lymphoedematous and post-traumatic conditions, during pregnancy, and so on.

How to recognise a good lymphatic drainage

It can be understood immediately: there is a preliminary part that must not be overlooked and that should always be performed, regardless of the area being treated — this is the so-called "neck drainage", a preliminary massage that serves to open the drainage points and is performed on the neck, part of the face and the collarbones.

Another sign — perhaps slightly prosaic but valid — is finding that you need to… use the bathroom: this is an unmistakable effect of a good drainage.

Questions about health status

One further caveat to bear firmly in mind before undergoing any massage concerns the preliminary questions about your state of health and any existing conditions. Good practitioners, attentive to their client, should always enquire in this regard: laying hands on a person is no trivial matter and physical reactions can be intense. If this is done carelessly, it is best to leave and not before pointing out this serious failing.

A question of time

A traditional Vodder-method lymphatic drainage treatment requires almost two hours just to massage the lower limbs adequately, front and back; it is therefore necessary, for those who practise it, to make a precise choice in terms of how many times each manoeuvre is repeated and the total number of movements. Anyone who does not do this is putting the time available ahead of the client's wellbeing.

What is meant by hybrid massage

Recently, in pursuit of maximum time optimisation and maximum efficiency, the idea has emerged of using a hybrid massage, still referred to as lymphatic drainage or haemo-lymphatic massage, which is more agile and does not require the precision of traditional lymphatic drainage. This point should be clarified at the start of the session, so as not to build excessively high expectations while still enjoying a draining massage.

A massage without oil

Another factor to bear in mind, again with regard to traditional lymphatic drainage, is that it must always be performed without oil or any fatty substance. It is a dry massage, which at most requires a little talc to help the hands glide over the skin. Nothing else is acceptable. If oil is used, perhaps on the pretext of applying a product that aids the fight against cellulite, it is worth knowing that this is not a traditional lymphatic drainage massage, however effective it may otherwise be.

What matters is receiving a treatment with a clear understanding of what you are actually undergoing.

Benefits and contraindications of lymphatic drainage massage

Lymphatic drainage massage promotes increased lymph flow throughout the body, which consequently brings a series of benefits at various levels, supporting its use as a valuable aid for a range of therapeutic indications.

• Anti-oedematous effect: good results have been obtained on lymphatic oedemas, especially those arising following surgical procedures.
• Effect on immune defences: it offers valuable support in all cases where local immunity needs to be improved, such as acne, accidental and surgical wounds, and infections of the airways (tonsillitis, pharyngitis, sinusitis).
• Healing effect: indicated in cases where faster healing is required, in the event of sores or ulcerations, and for people with diabetes.

Lymphatic drainage massage is absolutely contraindicated in acute-phase infections, tuberculosis and tumours, while it is possible, but with appropriate care and attention, in cases of renal insufficiency, cardiac insufficiency, asthma and hyperthyroidism.

Thanks are due for his consultation to Dr Fabio Meardi, CIDESCO Italia lecturer and expert trainer in massage and energy techniques used primarily in South-East Asia.