Say the word “massage,” and I’m there.
Seriously, there really isn’t a single day that a kink in my neck, tight
shoulder or sore calves from a hard run won’t have me saying “yes,
please” to a professional helping me to feel a bit more relaxed.
But when I heard about lymphatic drainage
massage,
I didn’t jump at the change to try it, because it sounded a little more
complicated and clinical than reflexology or a deep tissue massage.
However, lymphatic drainage massage actually has major benefits, and
might be just the treatment to help you get things flowing. Here is
everything you need to know about lymphatic drainage massage — you’re
going to want to book one immediately.
This particular
treatment addresses the lymph nodes, which are throughout the body and
act as a filter for harmful substances like toxins and viruses. This
sort of massage can be done anywhere on the body, but typically focuses
on the face, jawline, and neck, according to
Dr. Kim Peirano, a doctor of acupuncture and Chinese medicine, as well as a licensed acupuncturist.
“I find lymphatic
drainage particularly effective for a patient who has significant
under-eye bags—puffiness or darkness—or for someone who has edema
(swelling) in the body or face,” she says. “It is great at moving that
fluid through the body more efficiently.”
Peirano says most
people seek it out for beauty concerns, like the aforementioned puffy
eyes and face. But there are a few other conditions the treatment can
address as well.
“Lymphatic massage has
been shown to be beneficial to people with skin disorders, frequent
migraines, body pain (e.g. arthritis), depression and digestive issues,”
Peirano says. “So it’s something that can benefit practically anyone
whether you have an issue with lymph nodes directly or not.”
Peirano explains that
the act of moving lymph—a fluid that contains white blood cells and is
processed through lymph nodes—through the body improves blood flow and
circulation, therefore causing an effect on every organ system in the
body.
“Improving the blood
flow and circulation will not just improve the area you’re working on
but also the entire body which results in an improvement in other
conditions and the overall health of the patient,” she says, likening
the treatment to acupuncture, which also improves the flow of blood,
energy and lymph and results in improved organ function and decreased
negative symptoms in a patient.
If you’re reading about
lymphatic drainage massage benefits and thinking it sounds like a lot
like those related to using a jade roller, you’re not wrong. Like
lymphatic drainage massage, a
jade roller—the
handheld massagers with a jade stone head at either end—is said to
boost blood circulation and reduce swelling and puffiness.
“Inspired by
traditional Chinese medicine, the jade roller has been used to help
improve blood circulation and elasticity of the skin,” says Parisa
Morris of
Town & Anchor,
a Chicago-based skincare company. “It’s an affordable, convenient
skincare tool that leaves your skin feeling and looking healthier and
younger. Jade rollers also boost collagen production and flush out
toxins via lymphatic drainage for a smoother-looking complexion.”
So, while each of these
methods differs in how it is performed, the end goal of boosting blood
flow puts them in the same category.
Dr.
Ranella Hirsch,
a Boston-based dermatologist, explains that the massage is typically
made of a series of gentle flowing strokes along the skin surface. If
you want to give it a shot, you can visit a licensed massage therapist
or certain spas who often the treatment.
But you can also try it at home. If you are up for the DIY method, then consider these tips
shared with InStyle by Joanna Vargas, celebrity facialist and founder of Joanna Vargas Salon and Skin Care Collection.
“Start at the base of
the neck, on the sides where your arteries are,” says Vargas. Next, she
says to massage in gentle circles upwards, towards the jaw, up the sides
of the face, and around the eyes. “This will help coax nutrients into
the tissue.”
Which is really reason enough to give a shot, right?
