This type of massage concentrates on the lymphatic system and attempts to restore proper lymph flow to the system.
What are lymph nodes?
Lymph nodes can be as small as the head of a pin, or as big as an olive. There are 400-700 lymph nodes in the body, half of which are located in the abdomen. There are approximately 170-200 located in your neck.
The primary function of lymph nodes is to filter and purify the lymph. The lymph nodes produce various types of lymphocytes. Lymphocytes destroy harmful substances within the body, and are a big part of the immune system. The lymph fluid enters the node, moves through various sinuses and cavities, mixes with lymphocytes and phagocytes, and leaves the node through efferent lymph vessels.
The lymph nodes also reabsorb about 40% of the liquid content of the lymph. This makes the lymph much thicker. Because of this thickening and the filtering process, the lymph nodes offer the greatest resistance to the flow of lymph. In fact the lymph nodes offer about 15 times more resistance than the vessels themselves. Lymphatic drainage massage can help overcome this resistance and get the lymph flowing more freely.
Benefits
- Reduction in edemas (swelling) and lymphedemas of various origins.
- Detoxification of the body.
- Relief of numerous chronic and subacute inflammations, including sinusitis, bronchitis and otitis.
- Relief of chronic pain.
- Regeneration of tissue, including burns, wounds, stretch marks and wrinkles.
- Stimulation of the immune system.
- Reduction in the symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia.
- Antispastic actions to relieve conditions such as muscle hypertonus and some forms of constipation.
- Deep relaxation to aid insomnia, stress, loss of vitality and loss of memory.
- Anti-aging effects.
- Alleviation of adiposis and cellulite tissue.
How does it work?
All of the lymph above the waist drains up into the axillary nodes. All the lymph below drains down into the inguinal nodes. After the lymph drains into the inguinal nodes, it travels upward though the organs, to the thoracic duct, and then up near the heart where it is distibuted back into the blood stream. The center and lower lymphotome drains the lymph into the submandiblular nodes, then down the cervical chain, to the terminus and into the blood stream. The lateral part of the breast drains out towards the axillary nodes. The upper medial part drains into the sternal nodes, which then drain up to the terminus and into the blood stream. The lower medial portion drains deep into the torso.
Techniques are performed with hands and fingers simulating gentle, wave-like movements. These subtle manual maneuvers activate lymph and interstitial fluid circulation as well as stimulate the functioning of the immune and parasympathetic nervous systems. It can be used for post traumatic injury or surgery to reduce the swelling and speed up the healing time. It can also be used to help treat migraines, sinusitis, acne, tinnitus, and high blood pressure. It is helpful wherever there is poor circulation, or a need for detoxification.
It is safe for most everyone to receive, including the elderly, as it is noninvasive, as well as having a calming effect on the nervous system, it is a non-oil massage.
You should allow an hour for personal areas of need, an hour and a half for a full body treatment and and a half hour for a spot treatment.
