Lymphatic Drainage Massage and Other Therapeutic Treatments

Everyone loves a good massage! But lymphatic drainage massage? What is that? It’s one of many therapeutic bodywork treatments that are not only pleasurable, but aid your body in cleansing and healing.

Bodywork is a general term that includes such treatments as lymphatic drainage massage, Swedish massage, shiatsu, Mayan abdominal massage, acupuncture, Reiki and many other modalities. These treatments are great additions to a detox plan, or ongoing self care routine, because they are each designed to promote circulation.

An essential element of natural detoxing is to get things moving! Lots of water, clean foods, colon cleansing, exercise and bodywork all cooperate together in this effort. This whole body detox approach is designed to stir up the toxins and get them out of your body.

Thousands of channels, veins, arteries and energetic pathways (called meridians) run through your body like little highways. A healthy body moves the energy, fluid and solid matter through these channels freely, without obstruction.

Toxic build up and a sedentary lifestyle can cause congestion in these channels, like rush hour traffic, interrupting your body’s ability to function properly. Constipation, heart disease, cysts, tumors, mucous build up, edema, and diabetes are some of the commonly noticeable symptoms of this stagnation.

The following forms of bodywork open up these channels and allow circulation to resume. Using specialized knowledge of the physical body and/or the energy pathways that travel through it, these practitioners work to remove obstacles and promote circulation. Lymphatic drainage massage and other treatments of this type will hasten your body’s ability to detoxify and may relieve your detox symptoms.

Lymphatic Drainage Massage

The lymphatic system is one of these “highway” networks with your body. These channels carry a clear liquid called ‘lymph’ which distributes immune cells throughout your body. Lymph fluid also participates in draining fluid from cells and tissues, carrying away waste and excess toxins.

Lymphatic Drainage massage is specifically designed to stimulate your lymphatic system with gentle massage strokes. Using this technique encourages the flow of lymphatic fluids which help to escort toxins and bacteria out of your body.

“The lymphatic system has a vital role in the body by regulating the immune system, which protects the body against infection. It transports nutrients to cells and eliminates metabolic wastes, toxins and excess fluids from the body. Manual lymphatic drainage is also a very effective way of detoxing the body plus stimulating vital immune defenses. This is a powerful, deep cleansing treatment.”

David Goddard, ND

Swedish Massage

Like lymphatic drainage massage, Swedish massage is a wonderful treatment to add to your detox plan. It is the most common type of massage and is available in most communities. This relaxing treatment also helps to encourage movement in your body. It increases circulation, stimulates lymph function and improves flexibility.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a healing modality that has been used in China for at least 2,500 years. The treatment involves inserting very fine needles into specific healing points on the body. The process is painless and soothing. By clearing blockages in your body’s energy channels (meridians), acupuncture can restore health and vitality to specific organs and to your whole body. Using acupuncture to offer support and strength to your detoxifying and digestive organs during your detox could be helpful in relieving symptoms and increasing the effectiveness of your detox.

Reflexology

Reflexology is based on the principle that each organ, gland and system in your body is linked to a certain area on your foot via your nervous system. Using your foot as a map of your body, a reflexologist will apply pressure to certain points on your feet to bring vitality to specific organs. “Reflexology promotes relaxation, improves circulation, reduces pain, soothes tired feet and encourages over all healing.”¹

Shiatsu

Shiatsu is a traditional Japanese form of bodywork. Using gentle pressure along the energy channels in your body (meridians), Shiatsu increases the flow of vital energy (chi) in your body. This treatment can alleviate detox symptoms such as headaches, fatigue and poor digestion by opening up your subtle energy channels and letting them flow.

Reiki

Reiki is the most widely known form of “energy healing.” A Reiki practitioner acts as a conduit for the flow of universal energy to bring balance to the client’s life force (chi). This treatment can be very effective in stabilizing emotions and reestablishing balance after change. If you are feeling ‘out of sorts’ during or after your detox, Reiki could be helpful for you.

Maya Abdominal Massage

Maya Abdominal Massage is an ancient modality of healing practiced by traditional Mayan healers and midwives for thousands of years. It is similar to lymphatic drainage massage in its effects, but it is targeted toward the digestive and pelvic organs. Using gentle, external massage of the abdomen, pelvis and lower back along with simple stretching techniques, this massage increases energy and circulation of blood, lymph fluid and nerve impulse.

Abdominal massage also realigns organs for optimal function and diminishes adhesions and abnormal growths in the pelvic and abdominal area, including ovarian cysts, fibroids, endometriosis, and scar tissue from previous pelvic procedures and surgeries. Additionally, the massage is an effective tool for helping ease digestive and urinary tract disorders.²

¹http://altmedicine.about.com/od/therapiesfromrtoz/a/Reflexology.htm

²www.fertilebeing.com

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