Lymphatic drainage consists of a massage with gentle movements, kept at a slow pace, to prevent the rupture of the lymphatic vessels and aims to stimulate and facilitate the passage of the lymph through the circulatory system.
Lymph is a liquid that circulates in the body cleaning the blood of impurities, playing its immune role together with the antibodies of the blood but that can be present between the cells, causing swelling and pain, in some cases.
The main benefits of lymphatic drainage are:
- Combat swelling and fluid retention; Help fight cellulite; Help in the recovery of muscle and joint injuries; Collaborate in tissue healing; Prevent healing adhesions after plastic surgery; Reduce bruising; Improve blood, venous and lymphatic circulation; Oxygenate the tissues more appropriately; Collaborate to eliminate toxins from the body; Improve self-esteem and consequently the quality of life.
Lymphatic drainage must be applied by a competent professional who uses the techniques correctly. The maneuvers that can be used include circulatory finger movements, thumb circles, bracelet pressure and slip, or pumping movement. Drainage can be done in the whole body, or only in a treatment area, depending on the need that the person presents.
Indications and contraindications of lymphatic drainage
Manual lymphatic drainage can be useful to eliminate any swelling in the face or body that may arise in the most varied situations. When the technique is performed accurately, it is able to eliminate the excess liquid that shows the swelling, returning it to the bloodstream, which after being filtered through the kidneys, can be eliminated in the form of urine.
Thus, lymphatic drainage is indicated in the following cases:
- During pregnancy; After plastic surgery; After cancer treatment to fight lymphedema; Injuries and trauma to muscles, tendons or joints; During menstrual period; After any surgery; In case of cellulite; Due to excessive consumption of salt and little water intake.
Lymphatic drainage can be performed with the hands or with the use of specific drainage devices, present in some offices, but lymphatic drainage should not be performed when there is severe acne, grades 3 or 4 because it can worsen the lesions or when there are wounds open, because they can become infected. After plastic surgery, the technique should be performed after the plastic surgeon's release, usually 24 or 48 hours after the surgery.
To drain the face, watch the video:
Is it possible to drain in case of cancer?
It is possible to perform manual lymphatic drainage with a physical therapist even in case of cancer, and even after the removal of lymph nodes, as in the case of breast cancer, for example.
Lymphatic drainage does not spread cancer cells but must be done with a specific technique because the lymphatic system starts to function differently after the removal of lymph nodes, and the poorly applied technique can be harmful to the patient, causing even more discomfort. Thus, although it is possible to perform lymphatic drainage in the case of cancer, care should be taken when choosing a professional. But it is not recommended for drainage with appliances, or pressotherapy because its mode of action cannot be changed, as with hands.
Thus, it is possible to perform manual lymphatic drainage in the case of cancer or its complications, such as lymphedema, with a qualified professional, such as the physiotherapist with specific training in oncology, with drainage with devices in aesthetic clinics, for example, being contraindicated.
