Blog

One of the most requested services by our clients at HealFlow Wellness Center is, without a doubt, lymphatic drainage, a treatment that helps eliminate toxins and excess fluid from the body, which we will talk about in depth in this blog.

But first…

¿What is the Lymphatic System?

The lymphatic system is responsible for transporting the waste derived from the Nutrition from cells to blood, which later takes them to the excretory system to eliminate them.

The problem appears when the lymphatic system cannot purify certain areas, causing the stagnation of liquids and substances.

On the other hand, in addition to transporting waste substances from cells, the lymphatic system also acts as a defense for the body. A function that is essential in the face of threats such as COVID-19.

This great work is carried out by the lymph nodes, this are areas that act by purifying pathogens and neutralizing the damage they may cause.

The lymphatic system has two main functions:

• Purification, by eliminating toxins and waste substances from the body.
• Protection, by modulating the immune system’s response against bacteria,viruses and other foreign substances that may reach the interior of the body.

Why and when do toxins or fluids accumulate in the body?

The fact that fluids accumulate in the tissues may be due to inadequate functioning of the lymphatic system itself, either naturally or induced (the latter generally due to the removal of lymph nodes, something frequent in the surgical treatment of certain tumors).

And, as we always explain to our clients, fluids can also accumulate for reasons that have nothing to do with the lymph, as in the case of venous edema, edema during pregnancy, liver cirrhosis, lack of exercise, sitting for long hours, etc.

What is a massage for lymphatic drainage?

Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) is a massage therapy technique, this procedure consists of the application of gentle massages in different areas of the body with the aim of improving the circulation of the lymph and the lymphatic system.

Generally, this type of massage is used to improve the automatic contraction of the lymphatic vessels, helping to eliminate alterations derived from poor lymphatic circulation.

In simple words, lymphatic drainage is a massage that acts on the lymphatic vessels to eliminate interstitial and lymphatic fluid. The pressure applied during lymphatic drainage helps push retained fluids back into the circulatory system and into the blood.

Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) is characterized by the following:

• Does not cause pain or redness in the treated area.
• Does not require excessive pressure, as it is done with slow, rhythmic and
• repetitive movements.
• The use of lubricants or creams is not necessary.
• The movements go in a lymphatic direction towards the expulsion zones.

The best benefits of a Lymphatic Drainage Massage

Finally, another of the functionalities of lymphatic drainage focuses on the postoperative processes of cosmetic surgery interventions; This type of massage accelerates tissue healing, prevents edema from occurring, reduces inflammation and pain, and increases the quality of the scar.

Who can get a Manual Lymphatic Drainage?

For these reasons, MLD is indicated for all those who have edema, fluid retention, cellulite, and acne, after surgery or for pregnant women.

How many sessions do you need?

Intense cycles are recommended. Initially, a person may receive 2-3 sessions per week and then go down to 2-4 sessions per month. However, these indications may vary depending on the health status or conditions of the client.

In general, depending on the type of problem for which the message is required, up to ten sessions lasting approximately one hour may be necessary for the effects to be noticed.

If you think you need a massage of this type, contact us. We’d love to welcome you to our wellness center in Summerhill-Toronto.