Giving you the 411 on lymphatic drainage massages
Whoever said you can't have it all clearly hasn't had a lymphatic massage. This massage will make you look snatched AND help your body detox from toxins.
My whole Instagram feed is filled with a slew of A-list celebrities posting their results from lymphatic massages. If you aren’t booked in for a lymphatic massage before an event or after a long-haul flight, you aren’t doing it right (or at least, that is how it appears online). So let’s break down why lymphatic massages are so popular amongst the celebrities (and now me)!
What is your lymphatic system and how does it work?
Your lymphatic system is part of your immune system and circulatory system. The lymphatic system is a network of lymph vessels, which connect our body’s lymph nodes together. Our lymph nodes act as a filter, destroying anything harmful to our body to protect us from bacteria, diseases and infections. Our lymph fluid transports this destroyed bacteria and waste into our bloodstream. Our liver or kidneys then remove this waste from our blood, with our body finally disposing of this waste with other bowel movements or urine.
A simple analogy that helped me understand my lymphatic system, was thinking of my body as a sink, my lymphatic system as pipes and my lymph nodes as the drain. When the drain (lymph nodes) of the sink (body) is clogged, water and waste cannot be passed through the pipes (lymphatic system) and get trapped in the sink (body), meaning there is a build up of fluid.
Why do I need to take care of my lymphatic system?
Our lymphatic system is so important to take care of, particularly in an era where we are constantly exposed to toxins and environmental pollutants in our food and environment. With the rise of diseases, such as cancer, and gut-related issues, it is now more important than ever to make sure that our lymphatic passages are clear and operating optimally so we can remove toxins from our body and destroy anything harmful that may be a threat to our health.
What can you do to support your lymphatic system?
Taking care of your lymphatic system, and overall health, shouldn’t be expensive and a luxury reserved for A-list celebrities. Below are some of my favourite lymphatic hacks, most of which won’t cost you a cent.
Exercise - Low-impact exercise, such as walking or yoga, is one of my favourite things to do for my lymphatic system because it gets everything in your body moving. When you engage in physical activity, you are moving your muscles and increasing your heart rate, which helps circulate lymphatic fluid through your body.
Dry brush - Dry brushing is one of those lymphatic self-care practices that is highly debated. I am a fan of dry brushing, and like to dry brush before I have a hot shower or have an infrared sauna because it helps your skin detoxify. Dry brushing stimulates the lymphatic system by transporting toxins, that otherwise wouldn’t be moved, to your circulatory system for elimination. If toxins remain outside your blood vessels, they attract fluid which can result in skin issues, cellulite, swollen joints and a compromised immune system.
Sweat it out in an infrared sauna - I am a huge advocate of infrared saunas, which is why I purchased one for my home this year and try to have sessions almost daily. Infrared saunas help your body detox by sweating out toxins and also use an infrared light to target toxins stored in fat cells beneath your skin too, which typically would go untouched.
Book in for a lymphatic drainage massage or give yourself one at home - If you are unable to go for a lymphatic massage, you can perform one on yourself. If you would like to learn how to perform a lymphatic massage on yourself from the comfort of your home, watch these two videos. The first is how you can perform a lymphatic facial massage and the second is how you can perform a lymphatic massage on your stomach to aid digestion.
Scraping your tongue morning and night - After I meditate, the next thing I do every morning without fail is scrape my tongue using a metal tongue scraper. Overnight, your body releases toxins and bacteria which coat your tongue. By scraping your tongue in the morning, you are removing these toxins from your system, thus supporting your digestion and your immune system. It is important to do this before you drink anything, otherwise, you may reabsorb the toxins and bacteria coating your tongue.
Eating a clean, unprocessed diet - A diet consisting of mainly inflammatory foods (i.e. refined vegetable oils, processed foods, low quality animal products) can increase the stress on our lymphatic system. This can create dysfunction in our body over time, meaning we can experience greater water retention or compromise our immunity. By having a clean, unprocessed diet made up of anti-inflammatory foods (i.e. leafy greens, organic Extra virgin olive oil, omega-3s), this can help clear the passages of our lymphatic system, meaning it is easier for our body to detox, remove any harmful waste and strengthen our immunity.
Stay hydrated - Approximately 95% of lymphatic fluid is water, meaning that when we are dehydrated, this fluid becomes thicker. By staying hydrated on warm or room-temperature filtered water, you can support this lymphatic fluid flow more optimally.
Elevating your legs - I elevate my legs every night to drain the fluid that builds up in my legs. I am a huge fan of habit stacking and will often do this whilst I am in the sauna. When you elevate your legs, you can improve your circulation by reducing the pressure in your leg veins and redirecting this blood flow towards your heart. This can help with leg swelling and fluid build-up in your legs.
Where do I go for a lymphatic massage?
I had my first lymphatic massage in 2020 from a Japanese masseuse who specialised in lymphatic drainage for cancer patients who suffer from lymphedema. For those who don’t know, if you have cancer that has spread to your lymph nodes and they have been removed, or if you have radiation, often what can happen is you can develop lymphedema, which is a condition that causes inflammation due to the build-up of lymphatic fluid in your body. You don’t have to have cancer to develop lymphedema, but it can be common amongst patients. I found that this type of massage wasn’t very effective for me, perhaps because it was less manual, more gentle and catered for a specific type of client.
After seeing the benefits of Brazilian lymphatic massages online, particular by LA-based celebrity spa, Detox by Rebecca, I knew I needed to scour the internet for a Brazilian lymphatic massage. I quite literally googled “best lymphatic massage Melbourne”, to which Time for You Brazilian Beauty salon appeared. The massage itself was manual, with the therapist using her hands to release the lymphatic fluid from my tissues. This process is called clearing. This fluid is then directed it to my lymph nodes, which is called reabsorption. This fluid sent to your nodes in referred to as lymph waste, and then is excreted from your body by urinating.
The massage therapist took my measurements and weight prior to the massage, and then after the massage (and after I went to the bathroom), retook my measurements. After a 50 minute massage, I lost 700 grams of water and 1.5cms off my waist. I physically felt so much light and as if there was less pressure in my legs, which is where I personally store a lot of fluid. If you would like to see my results for yourself, you can watch here. If you have a processed diet, you may struggle to see results during your massage. According to Rebecca Faria of Detox by Rebecca, for best results, you should prepare for your massage by eating whole foods for at least a day prior to your massage. This will allow lymphatic fluid to be moved through your body more easily.