Lymphatic Drainage Benefits And Why It’s So Important

As a certified lymphatic therapist I’ve had the pleasure of helping hundreds of people. Lymphatic drainage is a therapy that’s used to manipulate the lymphatic system to get it to flow properly. Having a clogged lymphatic system can lead to a variety of issues that lymphatic drainage can help with!

Disclaimer: This information is not intended to treat or cure. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. Seek your medical provider to see what’s best for you and your health. I am not a healthcare provider.

If you’ve read some posts on my blog before you’ll know I’ve worn many hats before becoming a blogger. To no surprise, not many people know that I’m also a certified lymphatic therapist. I practiced lymphatic drainage for the past 7 years and recently closed down my business. While it was a pure blessing and I learned SO much, the time was right to move on. Now I get to teach you all about lymphatic drainage for you and your family!

Lymphatic drainage is so much more than just a relaxing “massage”. In fact it’s the complete opposite of a massage. A massage is meant to work with the muscles and can actually slightly damage the lymphangions within the lymphatic system. Massages are still great though as toxins can be stored in the fascia and muscle. We always recommend getting a massage first and then 48 hours later getting lymphatic drainage to repair the lymph vessels from the massage. 

What Is The Lymphatic System?

The lymphatic system is incredible. Not many people are aware at how amazing this system is in our body. It’s the highway for the immune system and it helps to rid the body of toxins everyday. Unlike the heart, the lymphatic system doesn’t have a constant pump that keeps it moving. In order to move the lymph in our body, it relies on us to move it. This can be done by any type of movement. Which is why, exercise is SO great and necessary for our lymphatic system. 

The lymphatic system is responsible for a healthy immune system and is responsible for keeping our blood clean. It keeps the bad guys away and fights off infection. If our lymph isn’t flowing at it’s full potential, it can cause inflammation within the body. A sluggish lymphatic system can be looked at as a traffic jam. If one thing is stuck, there’s a lot of other things that are stuck too. Once we get that lymph healthy and flowing, we can then have a lymphatic system that’s flowing and functioning at it’s full potential. This statement written from Better Health explains the role of the lymphatic system perfectly, 

“The lymphatic system is a network of delicate tubes throughout the body. It drains fluid (called lymph) that has leaked from the blood vessels into the tissues and empties it back into the bloodstream via the lymph nodes.”

Better health website

Which Organs are Part of The Lymphatic System

Surprisingly there are multiple organs that are part of the lymphatic system. There are primary organs and secondary organs.

Primary Organs:

• Thymus
• Bone marrow 

Secondary Organs:

• Spleen
• Tonsils 
• Appendix
• Prayers patch 
• Lymph nodes 

The lymphatic system is also vented through the:

• Kidneys
• Bowels
• Lungs
• Skin

As you can see when the lymph gets clogged, it doesn’t just affect one system within the body. It affects a variety of necessary bodily functions. All of which are crucial for getting rid of toxic waste within the body.

I cannot tell you how many woman I have worked on that had organs removed in which their medical provider told them they were not necessary. I urge you before removing any organ, please do your research. A lot of times organs can heal with proper diet and supplementation recommended by a proper practitioner. Of course, always listen to your healthcare provider and choose the best option for you. 

Think of it this way. If you bring your car to the mechanic and they say “oh your engine isn’t working, we will just have to remove it”. Can a car drive properly without an engine? I don’t think so, unless your car is extra special. Don’t feel bad if you’ve already have organs removed, now you know for next time in case someone tries to remove something that is indeed necessary. Not only for your lymphatic system to flow properly, but your body as a whole. The good news if you have organs removed, lymphatic drainage can help keep your lymphatic system in tip top shape!

What is Lymphatic Drainage?

Lymphatic drainage is the therapy used to manipulate the lymph within the lymphatic system to get it to flow properly. During your lymphatic drainage session the therapist should be using very light and soft touches that mimic the lymph system. They will be pushing the fluid in the direction it naturally flows allowing it to easily dump into each collection site of the lymphatic system. If they are massaging you or pushing hard, find a new therapist. Lymphatic drainage can be confused with lymphatic massage. They are two separate techniques. So always ask for lymphatic drainage if that’s what you are wanting. Lymphatic drainage will be as I’m describing. Very soft and gentle.

The lymphatic system is very superficial, meaning it’s right under the skin. So light, gentle touches is all that’s needed. In fact, I found better results using lighter touches than heavier touches. It was incredible to see and my clients were very pleased with their results. I had one client who had severe lymphedema and by the end of our session, the swelling went down drastically. She was amazed and so was I! The cool thing? It was from those soft light touches and the proper technique I am talking about. 

Ozonated Lymphatic Salve

As lymphatic therapist, my husband and I felt it necessary to incorporate lymphatic support for our online store. We created an ozonated lymphatic salve that not only supports lymphatic health but helps your body to get flush out clogged fluid. We’ve had so many great testimonies of people with swollen lymph nodes, constipation, swelling, pain, and so much more. We love to use it especially during cold and flu season to keep our lymph moving and healthy. You can check out our Ozonated Lymphatic Salve here and get 15% off by using code BLOGFAM

Benefits of Lymphatic Drainage

Here are a few benefits to lymphatic drainage:

• Open drainage pathways 
• Decrease swelling
• Aid in weight loss
• Aid in the appearance of cellulite 
• Improved digestion 
• Improved appearance in skin especially eczema, psoriasis, acne, etc.
• Decrease inflammation 
• Decrease in wrinkles and aging

Lymphatic Drainage Tools for Home Use

Thankfully there are some great tools that you can do from the comfort of your own home to manage good lymphatic health!

Exercise 

15-30 minutes a day is great for really getting your lymphatic system working and an added bonus is really working up a good sweat to help get toxins out that way as well! 

Rebounding 

Even if you do light rebounding, you are moving your lymphatic system. I know a lot of older woman love this for keeping their lymph moving and it’s also easy on the skeletal system! 

Stainless steel facial roller

I love my facial roller! I keep it in the freezer and roll it on my face every morning to help decrease inflammation and puffiness. The key to rolling your face is to always start at the bottom of the neck and work your way up your face. The main drainage point for the lymph is at the bottom of the neck and right above the collar bone. So we always have to make sure and clear that pathway first before working our way through the lymphatic system. Always follow the direction in the which the lymph flows. Here is a great picture showing the watershed of the lymphatic system for the face and neck.

Vibration plate

This is a plate that you stand on and it vibrates your body. Essentially very similar to exercise just may be better and more effective for those who aren’t able to workout of for long periods of time.

Dry brushing 

Dry brushing is the same concept as the facial roller except it’s using a brush for your whole body. Remember always follow the direction the lymph is following for best results! Most of the time you will be brushing lightly upward toward the heart.

Bay laurel essential oil

Bay laurel or bay leaf as some call it, is a great oil if you’re experiencing congestion in your lymphatic system. A lot of times when people have swollen nodules (clogged lymph) they can dilute bay laurel essential oil in a carrier oil and it helps to get the fluid to break up and move along nicely. 

As you can see the lymphatic system is truly incredible and an intricate system designed by the Lord. There are so many ways you can support your lymph at home and through lymphatic drainage. Lymphatic drainage has been amazing for our family and I know if you implement some of these tools; your family will feel great too!

Have you heard of the lymphatic system or lymphatic drainage? What ways do you support your lymphatic system? Let me know in the comments below!