Understanding the lymphatic system A crucial point when selecting the appropriate therapeutic lymphatic massage treatment.
- Paula Irwin cmt#1985
- May 10
- 5 min read
Lymphatic Massage has become a new buzz word and chic treatment.
Across the internet, there is a barrage of information streaming on YouTube, Instagram, and articles galore. Depending on an individual’s anatomy/physiology background, it can be difficult to ascertain the differences between therapeutic treatments superficial offerings.
Lymphatic Massage Del Mar intends to offer successful techniques to support your lymphatic needs.
There are differences between individuals, yes, but generally, human anatomy follows a similar template. When it comes to health care, a general rule of thumb, research information through a medical journal to measure accuracy.
Manual lymphatic drainage massage was originally created by Dr. Vodder in the 1930’s in Europe.
He is the first known individual to map out the lymphatic system. Dr. Lerner, an Oncologist from Boston, Ma, sought treatment for patient’s lymphedema following cancer treatment. He discovered The Vodder method from France and Dr, Foldi in Germany. Dr. Learner championed the AMA’s acceptance of MLD as a viable treatment in the US for Lymphedema in the 1970’s.
Lymphatic massage Del Mar, a graduate and clt from the Learner lymphedema academy in 1998.
Within this article, I intend to simplify the descriptions, offer verifiable resources to support the public’s understanding.
Understanding the mechanics of the system is essential to determining the technique best suited to the situation.
The lymphatic system is separated into three segments. From the naval up, the torso flows laterally, to the side, then up the side towards the arm pit, axillary. From the naval down, it flows like a sun pattern towards the pubic area and around the hips and buttock to the inner thigh. The feet and legs flow upward, moving through lymph nodes behind the ankle and knee, moving up to the inner thigh. The purified fluid enters the cisterna chyli, a temporary reservoir for lymph collected from the abdominal and pelvic regions. The fluids move into the thoracic duct returning the lymph to the venous system via the subclavian vein at the neck. The head and neck, above the eyebrows, lymph flows up over the head down to the back of the neck. Below the brows flows lateral to the side of the face, down the side of the neck. Approximately 30% of the node are in this upper region.
The lymphatic vessels are structured like a hair shaft.
It is a cylinder comprised of over laying bricks attached to the skin. Running under the surface of the skin, a stretching action across the vessel opens the bricks creating negative pressure within, creating suction and pulling the lymphatic fluids within. The skin is then stretched toward the closest nodes to be purified. It is a slow gentle movement and pressure. This allows the fine vessels to operate optimally. Oils are not used to ensure optimal movement and a non-slip and gentle release after each stroke.
Yew! That’s out of the way.
On to technique
The Vodder technique has several hand movements. The core principle involves gentle, circular rhythmic movements. These support optimal fluid vessel transport.
Techniques working within the anatomy and physiology of this system can be assured to support successful treatment. A treatment moving outside of these parameters may not offer optimal results. Possibly creating a backup rather than release.
Mapping is an essential pretreatment component.
Mapping includes previous surgeries and damaging treatments to the lymphatic system such as chemotherapy and radiation and lymph node removal. Incisions sever lymphatic flow , these do not regenerate. The Lymph must be rerouted around the scaring to the closest nodes. The loss of a lymph node closes that doorway out of the body. Chemotherapy weakens the lymphatic system. Radiation can damage and scares the vessels and nodes, leading to lymphedema.
Once a clear path has been decided, treatment may continue. Case by case, treatment may vary depending on the history of the patient. Past injuries, such as a blunt trauma, may offer invisible blockages to flow. An undistracted treatment is optimal to catch these signals to adjust technique. Answering a client’s questions is important but needs to be addressed at the beginning or end of a session. This allows the therapist to have the ability to catch the subtle queues from the body. Session to session, pathways may change depending on the body’s response. It is an evolving practice.
Lymphatic flow vs circulatory flow
The lymphatic system is a closed system. Lymphatic fluids do not urinate from the body. It is purified and circulated back into venous fluids. Circulatory fluids do eventually urinate from the body. Many mistake the need to urinate after a lymphatic massage as lymphatic fluid. The circulatory system is affected and supported during lymphatic massage, but these are two different systems.
The release of Lymphedema is an instant and dramatic change.
A session releases the most superficial levels allowing the deeper fluids to move forward. Consecutive treatments are necessary using compression between sessions to maintain the changes attained. This accumulated change occurs over several sessions until a level of maintenance is obtained. The length between maintenance sessions is individual depending on the clients’ bodies’ acceptance of treatment and redirecting of lymphatic flow.
Spa Lymphatic treatments
There is a growing group of spa treatments offering detox claims. Lymphatic drainage sessions do move this normal passive system forward 10x its natural speed. Weight loss claims: the lymphatic system does process fat through, especially when accompanied by a healthy eating regime. It does not cause weight loss but does support the process associated with the movement of fats processing through the body. Tummy flattening; Lymphatic massage does not flatten a distended stomach. A deeper intestinal massage can breakup compacted contents and support evacuation. Followed by a lymphatic treatment of the abdomen to collect any debris needing filtration. Techniques using a deep gliding stroke with oil: This may have a benefit to circulatory swelling. Fluids already in the lymph vessels may clear but will not move new fluids from the interstitial tissue into the vessels. Lymphatic Massage does have a calming effect, shifting the autonomic nervous system from fight and flight to rest and rejuvenation. Closely following the lymphatic pathways is essential for proper flow. Moving opposite to flow will create a backup.
A Certified Lymphatic Therapist, clt
A Certified Lymphatic Therapist, clt, has 145 hours of training followed by a certifying exam. Look for a therapist with clt designation. Make sure they are a therapeutically trained therapist.
To the public:
Certified Lymphatic Therapists are health care professionals.
Now that you have a basic understanding of the system you have the tools to ascertain the benefits of a subscribed treatment.
To be continued…
Paula Irwin clt, cmt 1985
Body Being in Balance Massage
1201 Camino Del Mar, Del Mar, Ca 92014
858-822-9878
Contributing resources
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