Manual Lymphatic Drainage

The lymphatic system is the foundation of the immune system. Lymphatic vessels run through the entire body, following the pathways of the cardiovascular system—where there is blood, there is lymph. After delivering oxygen and nutrients to the cells, about 85% of the blood plasma is re-absorbed by venous capillaries, while the rest remains as interstitial fluid. The lymphatic capillaries absorb this fluid, which now is referred to as lymph. As lymph circulates through the many lymphatic vessels, it delivers and absorbs nutrients, transports cellular waste and excess hormones to be detoxed, and monitors the body for foreign invaders. This is where our lymphatic system's role in our immunity is most clear—our lymph carries lymphocytes (white blood cells), whose job is finding and killing invaders such as bacteria, cancer cells, viruses, fungi, and parasites.

We have clusters of lymph nodes in all our major joints—the neck, armpits, abdomen, hip creases, and knees. Skeletal movement and diaphragmatic breathing help massage the node clusters and move the lymphatic fluid. Lymph travels through this one-way circuit until it reaches the terminus, or "main drain," at the collarbone, where the lymph fluid reenters the circulatory system at the heart. By the time the lymph reaches the bloodstream, it has been thoroughly cleaned and ready to move once again through the circuit. All in all, roughly 3-4 liters of lymphatic fluid move through the lymphatic system every day.

While our cardiovascular system has the heart to continuously help pump our blood, the movement of our lymphatic system is dependent on physical movement and deep diaphragmatic breathing. With lymphatic drainage, we are mimicking the gentle pumping of the lymphatic system for extra support when the lymph is having a harder time flowing through the whole body.

A lymphatic treatment is a wonderful way to support an over-burdened system. Clients will often report feeling deeply relaxed, lighter, clearer, energized, or more fully embodied.

Lymphatic drainage has become more popular as part of a general wellness routine, and is an excellent way to support the health of your whole body.

Lymphatic drainage is also very supportive when there is a healing demand on the body and/or the body is less mobile, such as after surgery, after a period of illness, postpartum, or with chronic illness/fatigue.

Additionally, the lymphatic system can become congested simply from the realities of our modern world—high stress, toxin exposure, long stretches of sitting, and dehydration.

Signs that you may be dealing with lymphatic congestion are:

• chronic fatigue

• swelling or fluid retention

• chronic aches or joint pains

• bloating

• brain fog

• headaches

• breast swelling before menstruation

• Constipation

Unfortunately, no. Please stay home if you have cold/flu symptoms, a fever, an active virus/infection, or are on antibiotics—these are contraindications for bodywork.

When we get sick and we notice the lymph nodes in our neck are swollen, it’s natural to want to go in and get them drained down to normal size. But the lymph nodes are swelling because they’ve detected a pathogen or virus, and are trapping that pathogen so the lymphocytes can do their work to destroy it before it spreads to other areas of the body. If we do lymphatic drainage during an acute infection or fever, we risk driving the virus deeper into the body. It’s better to rest, stay hydrated, and let your lymphatic system do its job.

If your cold/flu symptoms and fever have resolved and you still have swollen lymph nodes, this can be a good time for lymphatic drainage to reset the lymphatic system—sometimes after an acute infection the lymph nodes need some support to flow again.

Manual Lymphatic Drainage is excellent for supporting one of our major detox pathways, but we depend on our body’s drainage/elimination pathways to complete the process. If our drainage pathways are challenged, it's not uncommon to experience flu-like symptoms for 1-2 days after a session, such as headache, fatigue, nausea, or fever. Detoxification is an energy-intensive process – your body likely did a lot of work and is cueing you to hydrate and rest.

Here are some ways to enhance the benefits of your treatment and reduce the possibility of detox symptoms:*

1. Water + electrolytes: Our lymph becomes more viscous when we’re dehydrated, slowing down its flow. Extra hydration before and after your session will help flush out anything that was stirred up. I like coconut water with Celtic salt and lime juice, Quinton Hypertonic sea water, or bone broth for mineral-rich hydration.

2. Limit caffeine and alcohol beforehand: For 1-2 days leading up to your appointment, do your best here to give your liver a break so it's more resourced to focus on lymphatic detoxification in your session.

3. Sweating: Our skin is one of our major drainage pathways. Gently working up a sweat can be hugely supportive after lymphatic drainage. Try a magnesium bath, foot soak, or sauna.

4. Gentle Movement: Yoga, walking, rebounding, breathwork, Qi gong—all are wonderful additions to your movement practice and especially helpful before or after your session to prime your lymphatic system for flow.

5. Sleep: Our body does so much of its detoxification while we sleep, most critically in our liver and brain. Getting a good night’s sleep before and after your session will make all the difference.

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* For clients who are slow detoxifiers or have a higher toxin burden:

If your system is impacted by MTHFR/COMT genes, Lyme, mold/mycotoxins, heavy metals, etc, or if you are chronically constipated, some extra drainage support may be appropriate after your session. In addition to the above recommendations, try:

1. Take a gentle binder before your session. A binder is a supplement that will help your body mop up and eliminate any toxins stirred up during your treatment so they aren't reabsorbed into the bloodstream. There are many options, including CellCore's Biotoxin Binder, which is very gentle and does not interfere with mineral or supplement absorption, as well as zeolite, bentonite clay, activated charcoal, or blends for specific toxin profiles. Use your own discretion here!*

2. Colon hydrotherapy. Scheduling a colonic within 24 hours after a Lymphatic drainage treatment is an effective way to complete the detoxification work we initiated in our session. Additionally, a coffee enemas can be a supportive tool for liver function, increasing glutathione production, and preventing and clearing herx/detox reactions. CleanseMarin offers colonics & coffee enemas in Ross, CA.

3. Topical Castor Oil. I use castor oil during session, but it is also helpful to apply it topically over your abdomen/liver for an hour or so at a time, depending on your sensitivity. Beware that castor oil will stain—using a castor oil pack is a common way to apply it, or simply an old towel. Use a hot water bottle over your abdomen as well for improved absorption.

* The information provided here is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider regarding any health condition or before making changes to your health regimen.

The answer to this question will be different for everyone—there is never a one-size-fits-all when it comes to healing! I can offer your body all the lymphatic support I am capable of, and ultimately it is your body that will determine the pace of results.

Generally, I would recommend that new clients receive three sessions within 4-8 weeks to determine if this work feels supportive for them or not at this time. Lymphatic drainage may be something you wish to receive 2-4 times a month in the more intensive healing phases of your life, and once every month or two for maintenance when your symptoms are less acute.