The theory behind Lymphatic Drainage

The lymphatic system is a one-way system; divided into two adjoining circuits. One collects

waste from both legs, abdomen, left thorax, left arm, and left side of the head, face and

neck.

The other from the small right thoracic region, right arm, right side of the head, face and

neck.

This whole system with up to 1,000 nodes (with between

300 and 500 in the abdomen) and millions of vessels relies on pressure changes

and contractions to pump it along. Blood on the other hand has capillaries, arteries and

veins and travels around in a circular route, pumped regularly by the beating heart.

And we need to manually pump the lymphatic system because the more the lymphatic system can clean us, the healthier inside our body becomes!

What is Lymphatic Drainage?

Lymph drainage massage is a gentle, rhythmic style of massage that uses precise rhythm

and pressure to open the initial lymphatics and stimulate lymph vessel contraction to

reduce edema.

History of Lymphatic Drainage

MLD originated in the 1930s when the Danish husband and wife team of Emil and Estrid

Vodder developed the strokes and sequence of what they called Lymphology. It caught on

quickly in France and became a recommended treatment in the medical community for

lymphedema resulting from chemotherapy and radiation for cancer.

Benefits of Body Brushing

You brush everywhere else, so why wouldn't you brush your skin too? I mean, if your skin could talk, it would probably say, "Hey, what about me? I want to feel fresh too!"

In many body treatments us therapists offer body brushing as a service, many people asking why. There is lots of benefits to body brushing and you can do it too. Before I explain the benefits I will tell you how you are meant to brush. You should never brush too hard, it should sometimes bring up erythema (redness to skin) but should never sting or hurt. After every stroke go over it with the other hand to soothe the skin. Starting at your feet you should swipe the brush towards the heart, some people do circular motions on areas such as the thighs, but its important to finish with motions towards the heart. On the tummy you should follow the tummy round clockwise in long sweeping movements. Be very gentle on the decollate as it is a sensitive area.

It stimulates your lymphatic system; In your body, lymph fluid passes through lymph nodes which are connected by a network of lymph vessels, your lymphatic system is the system responsible for eliminating cellular waste products. This helps to detox the body in a natural way. The system works by collecting waste from our tissues and organs and moving it through the blood to be drained. If it isn’t functioning correctly, toxins can slowly accumulate, eventually leading to congestion and illness.

Dry brushing activates the nervous system, which helps to improve muscle tone by stimulating muscle fibers. Dry brushing is able to tighten skin, which is important if you’ve recently lost weight and are looking for a natural way to fix sagging of the skin.  It also improves circulation, promoting the delivery of oxygen-rich blood to muscles to help with recovery and toning. It also helps improve the appearance of the dreaded cellulite by breaking down unwanted toxins. Body brushing promotes blood flow so that skin cells can turn over and renew. Regular dry brushing can lead to a more even skin tone, improved skin texture, as well as a reduction in the appearance of cellulite. Body brushing isn't a permanent fix though, so you will need to keep it up.

It also removes dead skin cells which leaves your skin feeling silky smooth, brighter and helps further products to penetrate your skin. After body brushing treat yourself to a warm bath and afterwards massage some body oil into the skin. Without exfoliation the dead skin cells can act as a barrier and prevent products for working as effectively. This also inhibits buildup, keeping pores clear and preventing ingrown hairs!

Besides making your skin brighter, dry brushing is an excellent way to wake yourself up and rejuvenate in the morning.

Lots of people find that dry brushing is almost a way to relax. People find it therapeutic and a way to take time out! It can ease and soothe muscular tension by relaxing the muscles and delivering blood supply and oxygen. Set aside some time each day, where you can quiet your mind from distractions and focus your attention on dry brushing, perhaps whilst wearing a face mask or listening to some soothing music? It can be used as a way to unwind at the end of the day or a way to wake yourself up in the mornings.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. Thank you for reading :)