After receiving this massage, you may receive some minor side effects for the next few days. Your urine may become darker and smelly due to the stimulation of the kidneys.
(As lymphatic drainage massages move fluids in the body, they're expelled via urination.) The good news is that the more you pee, the better the results. However, it's important to remember to stay hydrated post-appointment.
Your therapist will apply painless pressure to certain areas of the body that have a high concentration of lymph nodes, and many patients doze off because the treatment is so stress-relieving. After the treatment, look for increased urination as well as urine that is darker in color with a stronger odor.
After the Session
You will notice feeling better by about 50 percent, then hours after the massage, 90 percent better. You will also likely feel incredibly rejuvenated, which will last even for days after your session.
Secondary lymphoedema
Symptoms may include a feeling of tightness and heaviness in a limb, altered sensation, tenderness, reduced range of movement. The oedema is initially pitting, however, over time it becomes non-pitting. The skin can ooze a clear or yellow fluid, and/or can have a foul-smelling odour.
Expect to have an increased need to urinate.
The whole purpose of a manual lymphatic drainage massage is to help balance fluid and remove waste/toxins from the body, and how does that happen, through your urine. The increased need to urinate is actually a really really good thing.
Many have reported that they feel a feeling of tingling or flow of fluid under the skin, much like a small stream. Others report the feeling of being able to breathe deeply for the first time in a while because of the lymphatic flow in the sinuses.
Depending on the severity, most cases should begin to see results after 1-2 sessions. Frequency is dependent on the clients goals and how congested the lymph system is.
Manual lymph drainage, or lymphatic massage, does help with lymphedema swelling and encourages lymph flow out of the inflamed area, such as the legs. It's important to note, however, that this is not a detox treatment.
The lymphatic system also helps to remove toxins and other impurities from the body, such as carbon dioxide, sodium and other byproducts of cellular feeding on oxygen, minerals and nutrients. The system helps to remove these impurities and dispose of them through perspiration, bowel movements, urine and your breath.
The lymphatic vessels drain into collecting ducts, which empty their contents into the two subclavian veins, located under the collarbones. These veins join to form the superior vena cava, the large vein that drains blood from the upper body into the heart.
How often should I get a lymphatic drainage massage? It is recommended that you get the series of lymphatic drainage session every three months.
Lymphatic drainage further improves blood circulation, relaxes the body, and fights localized fat. Many clients report a slimmer waist and weight loss after a massage. After a massage, your circulatory system can quickly get rid of excess fluid as well as the toxic buildup.
The entire process should take about 15 to 20 minutes, but after care is perhaps the most important part of the equation. Lanini recommends prioritizing hydration for 48 hours post treatment to promote drainage.
Acute inflammation, Malignant tumors, Thrombosis and major heart problems are all contraindications to lymphatic drainage massage. Lets look at these one at a time.
The feeling of having a stuffy head, congestion, lots of mucous on waking in the morning, or dental infections might also point to a backed up lymphatic system.
Scrofula, an infection of the lymph nodes, is reported to smell like stale beer, and a person who suffers from diabetes is known to sometimes have a breath smelling of acetone.
Disruption to the skin surface such as Insect bites, abrasions, cuts, wounds, or cracks in the skin can enable the lymph fluid to seep out. Other times it can be when the limb is very swollen and tight and there are no other options but to leak out via the skin.
Lymph drainage massage has become a popular form of massage due to its potential health benefits. This specialized approach focuses on the lymphatic system, which is part of the immune system. This type of massage aims to help the body maintain proper blood circulation, body fluid balance, and immune functions.
All of the fluids and its contents that leak out into the tissues (as well as waste products formed in the tissues, and bacteria that enter them through our skin) are removed from them by the lymphatic system.
Lymph nodes are small, bean-shaped masses of lymphatic tissue along lymph vessels. They store lymphocytes and filter waste, bacteria and damaged cells (including cancer cells) from lymph. The lymphocytes inside the lymph nodes also attack bacteria and viruses that they find in the lymph.
Upon encountering bacteria or damaged cells, lymph nodes destroy them and turn them into a waste product. When the lymph reenters the bloodstream, waste products travel to the kidneys and liver. The body then excretes waste products in the urine and feces.