lymphatic
drainage
lymphatic
drainage
drainage
What is lymphatic drainage?
Lymphatic drainage has been used to treat oedemas since the 1930s, but with time and the development of devices, other applications of drainage have been discovered: this treatment works well as a form of active regeneration of athletes (amateurs, semi-professionals and professionals), and more and more often we find it in the offer of Wellness & Beauty salons, where its anti-cellulite, skin firming and body slimming properties are appreciated.
It can be performed manually, by a qualified specialist (usually a physiotherapist) and then it is called manual lymphatic drainage or mechanically by means of lymphatic drainage devices.
In both cases, the aims of the treatment are the same and, in general, they include:
- improving blood and lymph circulation,
- pushing the residual lymph towards the lymph nodes,
- removal of lymphatic oedema and exudates,
- improving the nutrition and oxygenation of the skin and other tissues.
Indications for treatment
The number of indications for lymphatic drainage treatment is really impressive. It is one of the most universal physiotherapeutic treatments. Due to its therapeutic effect, lymphatic drainage is recommended:
- for the treatment of various types of oedemas (lymphatic, lipid) and lymphatic stasis (also post-traumatic, postoperative or accompanying pregnancy),
- after mastectomy (hand swelling),
- as a prevention of venous insufficiency and thrombosis,
- in ischaemic lower limb disease,
- in the case of "heavy legs" and teleangiectasia (so-called "spider veins"),
- in the case of osteoarthritis,
- in rheumatic diseases, including RA or JIA,
- in the course of gout,
- people with endocrine disorders (thyroid diseases, diabetes).
indications for
sports and athletes
In the case of athletes, the indications for the use of lymphatic drainage are:
- post-workout regeneration (after training and competition starts),
- muscle fatigue, manifested by pain and tension,
- swelling, especially after contusions,
- preventively as a method to reduce the risk of injury.
indications for
Aesthetic and beauty
Among the aesthetic indications for lymphatic drainage, the most noteworthy are:
- cellulite,
- loss of skin firmness,
- excess fatty tissue,
- after liposuction in order to quickly remove swelling and as a method of preventing tissue fibrosis (one of the possible complications after liposuction).
benefits of lymphatic drainage
Lymphatic drainage treatments bring a wide range of health benefits, both for those who care about prevention and those who suffer from various diseases affecting the condition of the blood and lymphatic system.
Lymphatic drainage eliminates the feeling of "heavy legs" and swelling that occurs in the evening, e.g. in people who do standing or sitting work.
An extremely important benefit is the stimulation of the work of the circulatory system in people who are at risk of venous diseases and notice the occurrence of so-called 'spider veins' or even varicose veins on their legs. It should be remembered that these changes are largely genetic, and the earlier we start to support the work of the circulatory system, the greater the chance that we will prevent serious diseases.
Another extremely important advantage of lymphatic drainage is the removal of oedema of various types. Treatments bring relief to people with swelling and lymphatic stasis. As a result, the pain, feeling of tension is reduced and the comfort is increased, both physical and mental.
lymphatic drainage for athletes
Athletes primarily appreciate the following benefits of lymphatic drainage:
- reduction of muscle pain after exhausting training or participation in competitions,
- accelerating the removal of residual lymph and toxins,
- increasing the rate of regeneration, related to, inter alia, with better nutrition and oxygenation of tissues,
- increasing the body's efficiency,
- improvement of sports results,
- preventively, to reduce the risk of injury.
Lymphatic drainage is one of the few procedures that can be performed even daily. Such frequency is recommended during the starting season, when the athlete has to maintain the highest form for a long time.
Aesthetic benefits of using lymphatic drainage
Lymphatic drainage also improves the appearance of the body. Above all, it is an excellent method of cellulite reduction, the formation of which is largely due to abnormal functioning of the lymphatic system.
Moreover, it has a firming effect by stimulating circulation and mechanical pressure, which in turn leads to better nourishment of the skin, stimulation of repair processes, increasing skin density.
Another key advantage is body slimming. However, you should know that lymphatic drainage is not a procedure that interferes with fat tissue (such as liposuction). The slimming effect in this case results from two issues. Firstly, we often do not even know that there is a lymph in our body, which causes "swelling". Its removal immediately brings a visual improvement of the silhouette. Secondly, lymphatic drainage stimulates fat burning processes, so it is a great choice for people who have just switched to a healthy diet to reduce body weight or for people who care about their diet but do not find time for more physical activity.
