Top 10 benefits of lymphatic drainage

Lymphatic drainage helps combat swelling and cellulite, aid in injury recovery, reduce bruising, promote healing, improve blood circulation and tissue oxygenation, and promote the elimination of toxins.

Lymphatic drainage consists of a massage with gentle movements, kept at a slow pace, to avoid disruption of the lymphatic vessels and aims to stimulate and facilitate the passage of lymph through the circulatory system.

This procedure must be carried out by a competent professional who knows how to use the techniques correctly. Maneuvers that can be used include circulatory movements with the fingers, circles with the thumb, pressure and sliding in the form of a bracelet, or pumping movements, which can be done on the entire body or just in one area. See more details about how lymphatic drainage is performed.

Main benefits

The main benefits of lymphatic drainage are:

1. Fight swelling

Lymphatic drainage helps to reduce swelling and fluid retention, because, through massage, it is possible to promote the drainage of fluids and toxins to the lymph nodes, facilitating their elimination.

2. Fight cellulite

Since fluid retention contributes to the formation of cellulite, by promoting the elimination of fluids, it is also possible to combat cellulite. However, it is recommended to combine other aesthetic treatments, in accordance with the dermatologist’s guidance, so that its elimination is more effective.

3. Help with injury recovery

Lymphatic drainage contributes to the recovery of muscle and joint injuries, as it favors muscle toning and promotes tissue oxygenation.

4. Promote healing

Lymphatic drainage helps reduce edema and improves blood supply, which contributes to faster tissue healing.

5. Reduce bruising

Lymphatic drainage also helps to reduce bruising, as it increases blood circulation in the area and reduces edema.

6. Improve blood circulation

Lymphatic drainage stimulates microcirculation and reduces swelling, which helps improve blood circulation, reducing the feeling of heavy legs and preventing the appearance of spider veins.

7. Oxygenate tissues

The activation of microcirculation and the elimination of liquids promoted by lymphatic drainage contribute to more efficient tissue oxygenation, as oxygen reaches the cells more easily.

8. Eliminate toxins

The lymphatic system helps the body eliminate toxins, therefore, lymphatic drainage, by promoting the transport of liquids to the lymph nodes, makes this process more effective.

9. Improve self-esteem

By reducing fluid retention, lymphatic drainage helps to shape the body, making people more confident with their body, improving self-esteem and quality of life.

10. Prevent scar adhesions after plastic surgery

Lymphatic drainage favors the organized regeneration of fibers, preventing the scar from sticking together.

When is it indicated

Lymphatic drainage may be indicated in the following situations:

• During the pregnancy;
• After plastic surgery;
• After cancer treatment to combat lymphedema;
• Injuries and trauma to muscles, tendons or joints;
• During the menstrual period;
• After any surgery;
• In case of cellulite.

Manual lymphatic drainage is useful for eliminating any type of swelling on the face or body that may arise in a variety of situations. When the technique is carried out accurately, it allows excess liquid to be eliminated, returning it to the bloodstream, which, after being filtered through the kidneys, can be eliminated in the urine. See how lymphatic drainage is done.

Despite having several benefits, lymphatic drainage is not indicated in the presence of severe acne, grades 3 or 4, because it can worsen the lesions, or when there are open wounds, because they can become infected. Furthermore, after plastic surgery, the technique should only be performed after approval from the plastic surgeon, normally 24 or 48 hours after surgery.

See the following video for more indications of lymphatic drainage and how to drain your face:

Is it possible to do drainage in case of cancer?

It is possible to perform lymphatic drainage in cases of cancer, even after removing the lymph nodes. Lymphatic drainage does not spread cancer cells, but it must be done with a specific technique, because the lymphatic system starts to function differently after lymph node removal, and a poorly applied technique can be harmful to the patient, causing even more discomfort.

Therefore, although it is possible to perform lymphatic drainage in the case of cancer, caution must be taken when choosing the professional, and the use of devices or pressotherapy is not recommended because their mode of action cannot be modified, as happens with the hands. .