Our lymphatic system bears a heavy load on the removal of decay products from the body. The article will help you master the technique of lymphatic drainage massage on your own, which prevents the violation of lymph flow, gives beauty to the body, energizes and strengthens health. Content:
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Types of lymphatic drainage massage
- Face and neck
- Feet
- Upper body
- Belly
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Application of lymphatic drainage massage
- Face
- Neck
- Legs
- Rib cage
- Back
- Hands
- Stomach
Lymphatic drainage massage is a physical effect on certain lines of the body in the direction of lymph flow in order to normalize and enhance the work of the body's lymphatic system. The lymph flow system removes accumulated toxins and toxins from the cells and tissues of the body, it plays an important role in the metabolism, and its normal functioning is the guarantor of well-being, vitality and a blooming appearance.
Types of lymphatic drainage massage
Massage of the lymphatic vessels is the prevention of dysfunction of the system, and also helps to normalize the elimination of unnecessary substances and excess fluid from the body. At home, you can perform both a simultaneous massage of the whole body and its individual areas.
Lymphatic drainage massage for face and neck
In the lower parts of the face and neck are clusters of lymph nodes that filter lymph from all organs, bones and soft tissues of the head. Their well-established work protects this area from damage by foreign microorganisms, increasing the immunity of the whole organism.
The correct action on the sensitive and delicate skin of the face and neck is beneficial for its elasticity and health. You can do lymphatic drainage yourself, in front of a mirror.
Spending just a few minutes a day on the procedure, you can achieve the following results:
- The puffiness under the eyes will go away.
- The contours of the face and décolleté will become clearer and more toned.
- The second chin will disappear.
- Small mimic wrinkles of the face and neck will be smoothed out.
- The nasolabial folds will become less visible.
- The water-salt balance in the cells is normalized, due to which dry or oily skin becomes normal.
- The complexion will acquire a healthy and even complexion.
However, the procedure has many contraindications that must be taken into account before the start of the effect on the lymph flow. This type of massage is contraindicated for the following diseases:
- Violation of the microvasculature due to an increase in the diameter of the vessels and an increase in the fragility of their walls (rosacea).
- Unhealed wounds, fresh stitches or cuts on the face and neck.
- Thrombosis tendency.
- Trigeminal neuralgia.
- Oncological diseases.
- Enlargement or inflammation of the superficial parotid, submandibular, or chin lymph nodes.
Lymphatic drainage massage of the face and décolleté is most often performed to rejuvenate the skin, since it helps to activate metabolic processes in the cells. It is recommended to start it after 25 years; earlier implementation is impractical.
Lymphatic drainage foot massage
Stagnation of lymph in the lower extremities is possible due to a sedentary lifestyle, smoking, stress, tight clothing and a number of other reasons. Massage of the lymphatic vessels on the legs is a good prevention of lymphostasis and varicose veins.
Lymphatic drainage foot massage can be done independently at home. It will help get rid of problems such as swelling of the legs, cellulite, dry skin, vascular spasms, muscle soreness. With the help of manual drainage, the work of the venous valves is normalized, the convexity of the venous vessels is reduced, and the general condition of the lymphatic and venous systems improves.
The physical effect on the vessels in the direction of the lymph flow helps to reduce the amount of adipose tissue, increases the breakdown and excretion of fatty acids. During the stimulation of the deep layers of the tissues of the legs, lymphatic vessels expand, blood flow is accelerated, and muscle tone is toned. This allows you to improve the shape of the legs and tighten muscles, reduce the volume of the buttocks and thighs.
It is not recommended to conduct a course of leg lymphomassage in the presence of the following diseases:
- Benign or malignant formations on the lower extremities;
- Venous thrombosis;
- Pregnancy;
- Diseases of the blood;
- Increased body temperature as a result of viral diseases.
Lymphatic drainage massage of the upper body
You will not be able to massage the lymphatic vessels of the back, arms, shoulder region and chest on your own, that is, you need an assistant to carry it out. To master the technique of such a massage at home is quite within the power of your loved ones, those who are not indifferent to your health and well-being. You can study all the techniques and techniques for performing the massage yourself and show it on another family member, who will then repeat it on your body.
Often, the back muscles are overextended due to stress or lack of regular exercise. This contributes to vasospasm, a decrease in lymph flow, and as a result, there is a deterioration in the removal of toxins from the intercellular space, the accumulation of lactic acid in the tissues, a decrease in immunity and general poor health.
Drainage of the back and upper body is very important for the proper functioning of the body, as the lymphatic system located in this area removes waste products from the vital internal organs.
Massage of the lymphatic vessels of the upper region is indicated for people with obesity or increased fluid content in the cells and intercellular space, high blood pressure, reduced skin elasticity. Also, massage is recommended for people who often have cold hands. It activates the flow of lymph and accelerates the blood flow of the upper limbs.
Contraindications to lymphatic drainage massage of the upper body are:
- Diseases of the kidneys and liver;
- An increase in the lymph nodes in this area - clavicular, axillary, elbow and others - as a result of acute infectious, oncological or neurological diseases;
- Pregnancy;
- Cardiovascular failure;
- Dermatological diseases.
Manual lymphatic drainage massage of the abdomen
Massage of the lymph vessels in the abdomen is used both for weight loss and for the general improvement of the internal organs and tissues of the peritoneum. It allows you to solve a number of problems: tighten the skin of the abdomen, remove excess fat in the abdominal region, and normalize metabolism.
At home, you can do it yourself. The main thing is to remember about contraindications, which are pregnancy, menstruation, acute intestinal infections.
Application of lymphatic drainage massage
The main condition when performing lymphatic drainage massage is the passage of fingers through the lymphatic vessels, carried out towards the lymph nodes. As a rule, lymph collects from the bottom up, but there are exceptions in some areas of the body. Since only pressure on the tissues in the places where the lymph passes will provide a positive effect from the procedure, it is necessary to study the location of the vessels and lymph nodes before performing the massage.
Lymphatic drainage facial massage technique
The lymphatic vessels on the face start from the middle of the face and descend to the lymph nodes. The lymph nodes are located near the ears in the temporal zones, under the lower jaw and under the chin. Before the massage, it is recommended to hold your face over a herbal bath with hot water. Be sure to apply massage oil or cream to your hands for extra softness and hydration.
Techniques are performed by lightly touching the fingertips to the skin only in the direction of the lymph flow. Lymph drainage is carried out using movements directed from the center to the contour of the face. On the occipital part of the head, massage is done in the direction from the crown of the head down to the occipital lymph nodes behind the ears. The movements of the fingers should be slow, comparable to the speed of the lymph flow. Each massage is performed 5-6 times. In general, the procedure takes 15-20 minutes.
Algorithm for face lymphatic drainage:
- Start with the frontal area. In the middle of the forehead, close the fingertips of both hands and slowly spread them, moving to the temples.
- Get down on the bridge of the nose. In the center, close the pads of the index and middle fingers and spread your hands along the lower edge of the eye socket towards the temples.
- Massage the eyelid area using palpation. To do this, close your eyes and touch the lower and upper eyelids, starting from the nose and moving towards the temples.
- With your index fingers, draw a line along the nasolabial fold from the middle to the submandibular lymph nodes (located on the sides of the lower jaw).
- Place your thumbs in the center of your chin, do a few gentle taps, and draw a line along the lower jaw.
- Do a series of strokes from the chin down to the neck, moving the lymph to the chin lymph nodes.
Neck lymphatic drainage massage technique
Bunches of lymph nodes in the neck play an important role in the removal of waste products from the body. To drain lymph at home, you need to study the location of these peripheral organs. On the front side, at the base of the neck, there are supraclavicular nodes. The upper submandibular nodes are located near the jaw.
The nodes collect lymph from all over the body, cleanse it and transfer it to the lymph flows, through which it enters the circulatory system. In case of clogged lymphatic sinuses, the flow of lymph is slowed down. The massage helps to cleanse the knot for its normal operation.
Technique of lymphatic drainage massage of the neck at home:
- Place your fingers on the back of your neck under your ears, with your thumbs pointing down and not engaging. Apply light pressure in a circle between the back of the head and the trapezius muscle. Do not touch each other with your fingers, move from top to bottom towards the little finger.
- Target the entire row of superficial lymph nodes in the neck. Move your fingers from the bottom up from the back of the neck, making circular movements along the vertebrae and returning to the outside.
- While performing such circles, it is necessary to hold your fingers and lightly massage at the top of the neck under the ear, in the middle and at the base of the neck. This will relieve the burden on the lymph nodes.
How to do a lymphatic drainage massage of the legs
The foot massage is performed independently, having previously relaxed and warmed up the muscles. For this:
- Sit on the couch and stretch your leg forward, placing it on another chair. This will take the strain off your muscles.
- Lubricate your hands with massage oil or honey and begin slowly stroking your fingers from ankle to knee and from knee to thigh, both on the inside and outside.
- Gradually increase the intensity of movement and pressure with your fingertips. Alternate between flowing lines and patting movements.
- First, transfer the lymph from the tips of the toes to the popliteal lymph nodes. Lymphatic drainage of the feet is based on rubbing with increasing intensity. Warming up the lymph along the lower leg is more like stroking with a little pressure.
- Then move higher to the inguinal lymph nodes. To do this, place your fingers on the inner side of the thigh and gently slide up, in the direction of movement of the lymph.
Lymphatic drainage massage of the chest
In order to improve the functioning of the lymphatic system, strengthen the immune system and normalize the work of all internal organs, as well as to prevent lymphostasis, it is recommended to carry out regular, at least 1 time per week, lymphatic drainage of the whole body.
Lymphatic massage of the chest helps to cleanse the lymph in this area, is a good prevention of cysts, mastitis and other diseases, prevents stagnation in the mammary glands.
The massage is done in the supine position. It is better not to carry it out on your own, but to ask someone from the family members, since for greater effect you should be completely relaxed, and your hands should be under your head.
We operate according to the following technology:
- From the center of the chest and towards the axillary lymph nodes, slow, light pressure movements are carried out with the fingertips. Return in a circle to the middle of the chest.
- Apply pressure movements between the ribs, from bottom to top. Then come back down in a circle and use dynamic inflation with light strokes on your fingertips.
- Along the chest, from bottom to top, press with closed fingers.
Indications for lymphatic drainage back massage
Back lymphatic massage is performed while lying down:
- Warm up your muscles. For this, transverse stroking with the palm is carried out, without applying oil.
- Apply a small amount of oil to your hands and spread over your back, moving from the spine to the sides.
- Press your palms tightly to the back and guide from both sides of the spine to the lower back. Then return to the starting point, with pressure moving along the sides of the back. Thus, you push the lymph to the nodes. Repeat circular motions 3 times.
- Circular pumping: Using the index and middle fingers of your right and left hands, draw straight lines from the lower back to the shoulder girdle. Perform movements symmetrically, return with tangent strokes along the line of the ribs.
- Starting from the shoulder girdle and moving to the sacral region, make circular pushing movements. They are drawn in straight lines to the sides of the vertebrae.
- With the edge of your hand, slide from the center of your spine to the sides of your back at a 45-degree angle. It is as if you are drawing a herringbone on the back. This will help lymph flow out.
- In a circular motion with 2 fingers of both hands, walk along the neck - from the shoulder girdle to the hairline.
- Place your fingers along the spine in a rake and extend your arms to the sides, pressing lightly on the skin. Start from the top of your back and work your way down. In the area of the shoulder girdle, the lines run between the ribs, in the lower back - along the lumbar muscles.
Features of lymphatic hand massage
Unlike a back massage, you do not need an assistant to improve lymph flow in the upper extremities. Massage of the upper extremities is especially necessary for patients after breast surgery.
We will consider the drainage technique using the example of the right hand, for the left it is similar:
- Extend your right arm in front of you.
- With your left hand, apply a slow stroking motion, starting from the wrist and working towards the elbow. Repeat 5 times and change hands.
- After completing the course of exercises on the left hand, return to the right, only now work on the area from the elbow to the armpits. As the lymph flows towards the nearest axillary lymph nodes, perform 10 circles with the palm of your left hand. Then change your hand.
- The brushes are rubbed with stroking movements from the fingertips to the wrist. The pumping of lymph in the palm is done with the thumb of the opposite hand.
How to do lymphatic drainage massage of the abdomen
The drainage of the abdomen as a whole looks like a circular motion directed from the navel and spreading by a centrifuge to distant areas:
- Lubricate your hands with cream or oil. Run your fingers around the abdomen - starting from the bottom, on the right side of the abdomen, then up, across the abdomen and down the left side. You have to move through the intestines, from the ascending colon, to the transverse colon, and then along the descending colon.
- Place your fingers near your navel and slowly rub your abdomen in a clockwise direction in a circle.
- From the left side of the abdomen to the right, make stroking movements, driving the lymph to the inguinal and axillary lymph nodes.
- Finish the massage by lightly tapping your fingertips all over your abdomen.
How lymphatic drainage massage is done - watch the video:
[media = https://www.youtube.com/watch? v = VazB4Rkyg04] Lymphatic drainage massage of the face and body is indicated for people over 25-30 years old. Its benefits cannot be underestimated, because it has a general rejuvenating effect on the body, heals it and improves protective functions, helps to remove excess weight and cope with edema.
