Let's learn about Lymphatic Drainage Massage, which reduces swelling in the body.

Are you experiencing unexplained swelling in your body, especially your hands, feet, and ankles? You may have undergone surgery for cancer. After such surgery, do you feel like your arm or leg is just swollen and heavy? The cause of this condition may be a small blockage in your body's lymphatic system. At such times, a treatment method that brings relief to many people is this lymphatic drainage massage, or as we all know it, `(Lymphatic Drainage Massage)`. Let's talk about this simply today.

Let's first see what this 'closed system' is.

Imagine your body as a big city. This city needs a good drainage system to remove all the waste and unwanted things that build up everywhere. That's how the lymphatic system in our body is.

This is a very important part of our body's immune system. This system is made up of a network of lymph vessels and lymph nodes. The main function of this system is to collect excess fluid, waste products, and bacteria from between our cells, filter them, clean them, and return them to the bloodstream. It's like a 'garbage disposal service' inside our body.

So what is lymphedema?

As mentioned earlier, what happens if this system that removes waste from our body is damaged for some reason, or if its functioning is impaired? That extra fluid that accumulates, that is, lymph, begins to accumulate in one place.

Simply put, just as when a city's drainage system becomes clogged, water pools in the streets and floods the roads, when the lymphatic system becomes clogged, lymph fluid begins to accumulate between our tissues. This is what we medically call lymphedema .

This condition is most common after cancer surgery. Especially during breast cancer surgery, several lymph nodes in the armpit area may need to be removed to stop the spread of cancer cells. This can block the lymph flow in that arm, causing swelling.

Okay, now let's see what Lymphatic Drainage Massage is.

This is a very gentle, gentle massage . It's not a hard, thrusting massage like you might think. What you're doing here is that a trained therapist applies very gentle pressure, rhythmically, to help move the lymph fluid that's stuck in one place from the surface of the skin to the area where the active lymph nodes are.

It's like gently pushing water out of a clogged drain and directing it to a place where it drains better. This massage stimulates the lymphatic system, reduces swelling, and provides relief to the body.

Who benefits from this massage?

Although this treatment is primarily given for the condition `(Lymphedema), it can be useful for several other medical conditions.

How do you know if you have a blockage in your lymphatic system?

Sometimes our lymphatic system can slow down a bit, and when that happens, you may experience symptoms like these.

What happens during a massage?

During this massage, the therapist will first gently massage and stimulate the areas where your lymph nodes are located (such as your neck, armpits, and groin). This is done to first clear the "main drain" where the fluid should drain. Then, the blocked lymph fluid is gradually directed from the swollen area to the area where the active lymph nodes are located.

What are the benefits of this? But are there any risks?

Like any treatment, this one has both benefits and risks.

Benefits

• Increased immunity: Improved functioning of the lymphatic system supports the body's immunity.
• Reduces swelling: Reduces unnecessary fluid accumulation in the body.
• Pain relief: Pain caused by conditions such as neuropathy can be relieved.
• Stress reduction: A gentle massage can help you feel mentally and physically relaxed.
• Skin radiance: Good blood circulation makes the skin look better.

Risks - When not to get massage

Although this massage is safe for most people, it is not suitable for some.

Also, this massage is not performed directly over a cancerous tumor or on skin damaged by radiation therapy.

Some frequently asked questions

Can I do this myself at home?

In some cases, your doctor or physical therapist may be able to show you some simple exercises you can do yourself. However, don't try to do them yourself without learning the exact technique from them . Doing it incorrectly can make the problem worse. In many cases, it's best to get help from someone who has been trained to do this.

How long does it take to get results?

Doing this once or twice may not make a big difference. It usually takes several treatments. If you don't see results, talk to your doctor to discuss other treatment options.

Should this be my only treatment?

No. Lymphatic drainage massage is only one part of the treatment plan for lymphedema. If your doctor has prescribed special compression garments or stockings to reduce swelling, you should continue to use them .

When should I see a doctor?

If your swelling symptoms worsen, be sure to see your doctor.

• If swelling in the hands, feet, or abdomen increases.
• If you feel stiff joints.
• If the skin feels tight or uncomfortable in the swollen area.
• If the clothes and jewelry you were wearing before are starting to get stuck.

Living with this type of swelling can be very frustrating. It can make your limbs feel heavy and tired. So if you're curious about this, the best thing to do is to talk openly with your doctor to find out if this treatment is right for you.