A solution to swelling and heaviness in the body? Let's learn about Lymphatic Drainage Massage

Have you ever felt like your arm or leg is suddenly swollen, heavy, and maybe even tight when you put on clothes? You or someone you know may have experienced this, especially after cancer surgery. Many people think this is normal. But the cause of this swelling may be the malfunctioning of a surprising system in our body that we don't talk about much. Today, we're going to talk about a special massage technique that can help with that.

Simply put, what is Lymphatic Drainage Massage?

This is not like the massage methods you usually know. This is a very soft, smooth massage method . The main purpose of this is to stimulate the lymphatic system that is located just under our skin. Although it is popularly called "removing toxins from the body", the real and main benefit is to reduce swelling caused by the lymph fluid that has accumulated in our tissues. We medically call this condition Lymphedema . Simply put, this swelling occurs when the lymph fluid in our body does not return to the blood properly, but accumulates in places like the limbs. There can be several reasons for this.

• Some genetic conditions
• Accidents that occur
• Infections
• Cancer treatments (especially surgery and radiation therapy)
• Major surgery

So, this gentle massage helps to move the lymph fluid that has accumulated due to such reasons back through the system and reduce swelling.

Let's look at it in a little more detail, what is the Lymphatic System?

Think of it this way: our body is like a big city. The blood vessels in this city are the main roads. But in addition to these main roads, there is also a system of small side roads that remove waste and provide protection. That's how our lymphatic system is. Sometimes a small amount of fluid leaks from our tiny blood vessels (capillaries) into the tissues. This extra fluid, called lymph, is collected and returned to the blood by the lymphatic system. If this system becomes blocked or does not work properly, the fluid can build up in the tissues and cause swelling. There are several other important organs that belong to this system:

• Bone marrow: This part of our bones is where blood cells are produced.
• Thymus: This organ in the chest area is where the immune system's T cells mature.
• Tonsils and Adenoids: These are located in the throat and nose and trap germs that come from the air we breathe and the food we eat.
• Spleen : This organ located under the ribs filters out old and damaged red blood cells .
• Lymph nodes: These small glands, located in places like the neck, armpits, and groin, are like security checkpoints. As lymph fluid passes through them, it filters out viruses and bacteria.
• MALT (Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue): A delicate membrane found in places like our respiratory tract and small intestine. This also recognizes and removes germs.

What are the main benefits of this massage?

As we discussed earlier, the main benefit is the management of Lymphedema. This condition is experienced by many women, especially after breast cancer surgery (mastectomy) . This massage is very useful for reducing mild to moderate swelling and discomfort after surgery. Your doctor or physiotherapist may recommend other things in addition to this massage:

• Specific exercises
• Compression bandages or stockings
• A device that is placed on the arm or leg and inflates and deflates to apply pressure (Sequential pneumatic compression)

Studies have found that this massage also provides some relief for several other medical conditions.

How is the massage done and what happens?

It's important to talk to your doctor before getting this massage. It's also important to choose a trained, certified professional. The massage therapist will perform this massage in a specific sequence, using very gentle movements. They won't press hard. They'll start with the main lymph nodes. That means:

• Neck
• Groin
• Armpit

These gentle movements stimulate the lymphatic system, allowing the trapped fluid to move more easily. There are two main steps to this process: 1. Clearing: In this step, the lymph fluid is released from the tissues. 2. Reabsorption: The released fluid is reabsorbed into the lymph nodes. This massage usually takes 15 to 60 minutes.

Can't I make this at home?

There are some simple things you can do at home. However, you should always consult your doctor or a lymphedema specialist before doing them. Don't try these things on your own without their approval.

• Deep breathing
• Exercising
• Using a soft brush in a circular motion over the skin
• Swimming

Are there any risks in doing this massage?

Although this is generally a very safe procedure, it may not be suitable for people with certain medical conditions. If you have any of the following conditions, be sure to talk to your doctor before having this massage.

• Heart disease: Especially conditions like heart attack.
• Kidney failure
• Blood clotting problems (Blood clots)
• Severe skin or other infections

Most people don't experience any side effects, but sometimes you may experience minor side effects like:

• Headache
• Nausea
• Tiredness

If you feel uncomfortable after the massage, tell the doctor about that too. Lymphatic Drainage Massage, Lymphedema, Body Swelling, Swelling of the Limbs, Cancer Surgery, Lymphatic System, Lymphedema