The treatment helps decrease any swelling and water retention and also improve cellulite appearance. Lymphatic drainage also improves circulation, relaxes the body and combats localized fat. Many clients report a slimmer waist and loss of excess water weight after their massage.
Lymphatic drainage maneuvers stimulate the movement of the lymph and achieve a correct elimination of all the waste deposited in the tissues. In our body, this process results in a reduction of the volume and perimeter of the abdomen and thighs, in the elimination of liquids and a loss of body weight.
It takes energy (a lot of it) to detoxify our body, and you may feel tired for a day or two after your first appointment. Your lymphatic system is working faster and harder than it was before you came in for your appointment, and it'll stay stimulated for the next 24-48 hours.
If it's working, you should start to get relief from your symptoms of lymphedema in time. Your swelling should go down. You'll feel less heavy or tight. It will be easier to move, too.
Massage or pummeling may temporarily reduce the appearance of belly fat by improving circulation and lymphatic drainage, but they are not effective methods for breaking down fat cells or promoting significant fat loss.
Possible side effects of lymphatic drainage massage can include: Increased urination/bowel movements: after the massage, the lymph waste will need to be removed from the body. This leads to an increase in urination and bowel movements, as these are the methods the body uses to eliminate lymph waste from the body.
Usually, some results will be noticeable immediately after your facial lymphatic drainage massage however the fluid will begin to properly drain around 24 to 48 hours post massage. For each individual client, the rate of lymphatic drainage can differ and therefore each individual will notice different results.
By avoiding hot showers or baths immediately after, you can help your lymph nodes continue to function optimally. Massage therapists often advise against intense heat, which can cause your lymphatic vessels to dilate and become less effective. Give your body time to fully absorb the benefits of the lymphatic massage.
Expect to have an increased need to urinate.
The whole purpose of a manual lymphatic drainage massage is to help balance fluid and remove waste/toxins from the body, and how does that happen, through your urine. The increased need to urinate is actually a really really good thing.
Functioning almost like a sponge, the lymphatic system absorbs excess lymph fluid from the body's organs and returns it to the blood stream. In a healthy body, the lymphatic channels from the liver and mesentery drain toward the thoracic duct, which is the main lymphatic vessel responsible for lymph drainage.
In a Cosmopolitan article, dermatologist Dr Ananad Geria explains ''by reducing puffiness and promoting lymphatic drainage, your face may appear slimmer and more sculpted [but] the results of lymphatic drainage massages are generally temporary and may require ongoing treatments''.
Long-Term Benefits
Regular lymphatic massages may improve circulation and reduce cellulite appearance over time. Many people report feeling lighter and more energetic after treatments. Incorporating these practices into daily life encourages better lymphatic health.
Yes, it's possible to overdo lymphatic massage. While lymphatic drainage massage offers numerous benefits, more is not always better. Overdoing it can lead to bruising and swelling, especially if the massage is too aggressive or the pressure too high.
With severe swelling, the lymph fluid can drain through small breaks in the skin or cause blistering. Skin changes. In some people with very severe lymphedema, the skin of the affected limb can thicken and harden so it resembles the skin of an elephant.
The best products for lymphatic drainage, at a glance:
Best Dry Brush With Handle: Goop Beauty Dry Brush, $25. Best Gua Sha for Body: Skin Gym Sculptural Body Gua Sha, $52. Best Handheld Dry Brush: OSEA Body Brush, $28. Best Jade Gua Sha: Mount Lai The Jade Gua Sha Facial Lifting Tool, 29.
Lymphatic drainage massage may improve the appearance of cellulite but will not get rid of it completely. The most likely cause of weight loss immediately following the massage is the loss of excess fluid and potential bowel movement that occurs afterwards.
Lymphatic drainage massage is a form of gentle massage that encourages the drainage of lymph nodes and the movement of lymph fluids around the body. It can help relieve symptoms of lymphedema. The fluid in the lymphatic system helps remove waste and toxins from body tissues.
Through surgical procedures such as abdominoplasty
A tummy tuck or abdominoplasty is the most effective solution for an apron belly. During a tummy tuck, your Karidis Clinic surgeon will remove the excess skin and fat hanging from the abdomen.
Massaging the stomach can relieve constipation and help improve bowel movements and frequency. As the stomach muscles relax with gentle, sustained pressure, the digestive system 'wakes up' and gets everything moving.
Advocates say that as little as 15 minutes a day of whole-body vibration three times a week may aid weight loss, burn fat, improve flexibility, enhance blood flow, reduce muscle soreness after exercise, build strength and decrease the stress hormone cortisol.