Seeing as we are all still spending lots of time at home for the most part, you might have a little extra time in your day some self care. In effort to do just that, I have recently been implementing more rituals into my daily routine. One that I have been loving is lymphatic drainage.
While you might be familiar with the name (its all over social media), you might not know exactly what lymphatic drainage is. To explain, we have to start with what our lymphatic system is. The lymphatic system, consisting of organs, tissues and vessels, is part of our immune system that helps the body get rid of toxins and cellular waste. It does so by moving a fluid called the lymph through the bloodstream. As a result, the lymph passes through our lymph nodes — glands that filter out damaged and cancerous cells and attack the bacteria and other harmful substances in the fluid.
Okay, so it sounds like our bodies have got it under control. Why should we be doing anything else? Picture out cardiovascular system. Our blood is pumped though our capillaries and veins by our heart. Our lymphatic system doesn’t have a pump that pushes the toxic waste out. So, what should we be doing you ask? We can use tools such as paddles, dry brushes, and Gua Sha tools as well as techniques such as putting our legs “up the wall” to get our lymph moving and help push the fluid to our lymph nodes.
Dry Brushing
The first tool I use for lymphatic drainage is a dry brush. The benefits of dry brushing are increased blood circulation, enhanced lymph flow, skin exfoliation/unclogged pores, reduced appearance of cellulite, and reduced inflammation. I like to think of dry brushing as what gets everything going because it stimulates your skin and the lymph fluid underneath.
How To: I usually dry brush 3-4 times per week right before I hop in the shower. The most important thing to remember is to work in small, circular, upward motions (with the exception of the torso) and to go over each section about 5 times.
- Starting at your ankle, brush upward towards your knee.
- From the knee, brush upward towards the groin. You can really use pressure when it comes to your thigh/glute area because the pressure of the bristles will increase blood circulation to that area.
- Next, from the ankle, brush upward towards the elbow.
- From the elbow, brush upward towards the armpit/shoulder.
- Finally, brush down on your torso and back towards your groin.
Lymphatic Drainage Massage/Paddle
The second tool I use for lymphatic drainage is a lymphatic drainage paddle. While the benefits of this tool are very similar to those of dry brushing, I like to use the tools together. Where dry brushing “gets everything moving,” the paddle tool is what really pushes the fluid to the lymph nodes.
How To: I like to use the lymphatic drainage paddle about 3-4 times per week right after I get out of the shower.
- Starting at your ankle, stroke upward towards your knee.
- From the knee, stroke upward towards the groin. Make sure to get your thigh/glute area.
- Next, from the ankle, stroke upward towards the elbow.
- From the elbow, stroke upward towards the armpit/shoulder.
- Finally, stroke down on your torso and back towards your groin.
Legs Up the Wall
Aside from just feeling really nice after being on your feet all day, putting your legs up the wall has some incredible benefits! Just like the dry brush and paddle tool push the fluid up, putting your legs up the wall can allow the lymph fluid to easily flow down to where it will be filtered. Oftentimes the stagnant lymph fluid in our lower body can cause swollen ankles, congested pelvic organs, and tired knees. Try putting your legs up a wall at bedtime for 10-15 minutes to give your lower body a little refresh/reset!
Gua Sha
When it comes to lymphatic drainage of the face, I turn to a Gua Sha facial massage! Gua Sha is a traditional Chinese medicine practice that is intended to reduce inflammation and chronic pain through improving circulation. Using a smooth, flat-edged stone (usually made out of jade or rose quartz), the skin is scraped in an upwards motion to stimulate the soft tissue and increase blood flow.
Aside from being incredibly relaxing and soothing, Gua Sha has some incredible benefits:
- Aids lymphatic drainage in the face and neck
- Reduces jaw tightness/soreness
- Relieves symptoms of migraine headaches
- Reduces the visibility of wrinkles
- Lifts the skin
- Brightens dark circles around the eyes
- Aids in more efficient penetration of skin products
- Speeds up the healing time of pimples and breakouts
How to: I would encourage you to follow this video when starting to implement Gua Sha into your daily routine. I typically give myself a Gua Sha facial massage first thing in the morning after I do my skincare routine. While I keep my Gua Sha stone at room temperature, I like to put my jade roller into the freezer the night before I intend on using it. The cold stone is the most refreshing thing in the morning! I find that it helps with depuffing my eyes and reducing redness right after I wake up.
With any sort of lymphatic drainage massage, using some sort of oil/moisturizer is important so that the paddle/stone will glide on your skin. Here are some of my faves!
Very interesting KLK! I do a gua sha massage on my hands for carpal tunnel. Have also followed a video and done it on my face. I don’t have that tool, so used a jar top, which is what was recommended by a therapist. Didn’t know about the feet up the wall. Will give it a try! Thanks kiddo.
Such super ideas Katharine !! How did you get so smart ? I think I might try one or two of them . Thank you so much !!
How is school going ? Are you still working from home or can you go to class ?
Love you lots , and stay safe !! Grandmama Diana ❤️🥰😍😊💐💕🌷🌹😷