Vanya's Massage
Lymphatic Drainage Massage
Lymphatic massage or lymphatic drainage massage was developed in the 1930s and is a delicate form of massage that stimulates the body's lymphatic system. The lymphatic system plays a crucial role in the body's ability to heal from injury and ward off disease. It is essential to the body's drainage system for cleansing and filtering out toxins and bacteria.
The lymphatic system has no central pump and depends on intrinsic contractions of the smooth muscle cells in the walls of lymph vessels(peristalsis) and the movement of skeletal muscles to propel lymph through the vessels to lymph nodes and then beyond the lymph nodes to the lymph ducts which return lymph to the cardiovascular system.
Lymphatic massage utilizes a very light pressure combined with soft pumping movements in the direction of the lymph nodes. Immune system function can be significantly increased, improving metabolism and helping the body to eliminate waste and toxins.
The negative effects of chronic lymph blockages include but are not limited to: Joint pain, Headache and migraine, Menstrual cramps, Arthritis, Loss of appetite, Fatigue, Mood Irregularities, Depression, Acne, Cellulite, Sinus problems, Asthma, Exzema.
Lymphatic drainage massage can have a beneficial effect on your general health. Because lymph is key to keeping your immune system working properly, improving the flow and drainage of lymph around the body is good for you in lots of ways. It can:
* reduce the chance of you suffering from minor colds and viruses; it helps your body fight off infection and speeds up healing and recovery from illness
* help reduce water retention; for instance, because the lymph system has no pump, if you sit for a long time without moving, the lymph can't flow easily -- this is why you may experience swollen feet or fingers.
* boost weight loss, as improving the lymphatic system will improve your metabolic rate, which helps you burn calories more efficiently
* when applied after neuromuscular massage, lymphatic massage helps to clear the tissue of debris and reduce the minor edema that can occur after deep tissue massage.
Lymphatic massage is also useful for people with sports injuries. Repeated lymphatic massage whilst healing from a sports injury can help to enhance the tissue regeneration process by keeping the tissue as healthy as possible.
It is thought that lymphatic massage can also help the scarring process by enhancing circulation and immunity.
Manual lymphatic drainage is also used in the treatment of lymphoedema.
Lymphatic massage has been used for years to enhance the quality of the skin.
Before any massage treatment, try not to schedule in a large meal or some alcohol. It's also a good idea to drink plenty of water, which will help your body to flush out the toxins from your body.
Lymphatic drainage can leave you feeling exhausted. You may want to have a lie down, or at the very least, a very undemanding schedule for the rest of the day. Give your body time to ease back into activity.