Is a gentle, manually performed technique that restores and accelerates the flow of lymph (sap) in the body. Lymph contains mainly water, proteins, fats but also lymphocytes and waste products of metabolism.
Manual lymphatic drainage therefore has three basic functions:
→ drainage (removes excess water from the body),
→ transport (removes waste substances to the lymph nodes, where they are filtered)
→ immune (defensive, where it drains lymphocytes to the site of inflammation).
The therapist works with very little hand pressure, which he adjusts according to the patient's needs between 20-80 mm Hg. To give you an idea, at 20 mm Hg the hand hardly touches, at 100 mm Hg it is a massage. The pressure at the massage level no longer affects the superficial lymphatic system, as it works deep down to the muscles. The use of oils or lotions is counterproductive as it leads to overheating and prevents proper lymphatic massage. This is why lymphatic drainage is carried out as opposed to a "dry" massage. Although it is a gentle and pleasant technique for the patient, it is quite demanding for the therapist because of the special touches.
The use of the term 'lymphatic massage' is unprofessional but is often widespread among the general public and therapists with insufficient expertise. The manual lymphatic drainage certificate is issued by the Ministry of Health (MoH). It can only be completed by a university-educated health professional (usually a physiotherapist or nurse). It is not a weekend course, but a vocational course, where the number of hours and the duration are precisely prescribed by the Ministry of Health. It is in the final around more than a hundred hours and the course is usually spread over two years, so that the therapist has the opportunity to practice the methodology between the different parts and thus have feedback on the other parts of the course.
What are the effects of manual drainage
1 It reduces swelling (both post-trauma and for lymphedema (lymphatic swelling), phlebedema (venous swelling), and helps in the prevention of deep vein thrombosis and varicose veins.
How lymphatic drainage works:
Depends on the difficulties you are coming with. In general, however, the therapy lasts about 60 minutes. It is completely passive, which means that the patient lies first on their back and then on their stomach. The lymph nodes in the neck are always released first, so it is preferable to wear a tank top or a crew neck t-shirt and to remove chains and long earrings before the therapy. Then the therapist usually works on the part of the body as diagnosed, usually the lower limbs both front and back. The therapy should be done quietly and in complete relaxation. Therefore, the therapist does not talk or play music during the therapy and expects the same from the patient.
Dosage of manual lymphatic drainage:
Again depends on the difficulty, but generally a series of 8-10 treatments should be done. It is recommended to apply 4-6 therapies as close together as possible, i.e. 1-2 times a week. Thereafter, the frequency decreases to about once every 14 days, down to maintenance therapies once a month.
For whom is lymph suitable:
For adults with specific complaints see above, as prevention or for cosmetic effect.
When NOT to apply lymphatic drainage:
In acute inflammatory disease (bacterial, viral), when taking penicillin and antibiotics, when starting a cold, flu, tonsillitis.
In organ failure (liver, lungs, kidneys, heart) and swelling caused by it.
In addition, in skin disease, acute thrombosis, bleeding, urinary arrest, aneurysm, lymphoma, chemotherapy, radiation, at the beginning of oncological treatment or even when cancer is suspected.
How to be prepared for the first therapy and what regimen should be followed after therapy:
On the day of lymphatic drainage, increase fluid intake from the morning, preferably by drinking plain water. Do not plan any major physical activity after the therapy, which causes excessive sweating and muscle warm-up, but it is also not advisable to sit in the car and drive for a long distance after the therapy. The body may become more fatigued after therapy. However, you do not need to worry about light physical activities. It is therefore advisable to choose, for example, an easy walk home. If you want to support the lymphatic system actively yourself, avoid fatty meaty or fried foods, alcohol, coffee, not to mention cigarettes and tobacco. A light diet, drinking herbal teas and pure, unsweetened water are suitable. Do not apply any creams or oils immediately before the treatment. It is necessary to be fit for the therapy, not to have any acute illness, temperature or cold or flu, not to take antibiotics or penicillin. Menstruation, pregnancy, thyroid hyperfunction or other chronic illnesses should be reported to the therapist.
