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LymphDrainage for

Detoxification

B y B o r i s P r i l u t s k y

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Introduction

The main function of the lym-phatic system is detoxifica-tion, but it also plays an importantrole in immunity. Lymph is anextracellular fluid that enters the

lymphatic vessels and is mixedwith cellular elements. The lym-phatic system starts at the lym-phatic sacs in the extracellularspaces. These sacs have pores,allowing the passage of large pro-teins and other metabolic wasteproducts. When the lymphaticsacs are filled, lymph enters the

lymphatic vessels. These vesselsalso have large pores and carry asmall quantity of smooth muscles.The walls of lymphatic vessels

contain valves, directing the flowof the lymph one way only(toward the heart). Along the pathof the lymphatic vessels are lym-phatic nodes. When the fluidreaches these nodes, infections,alien proteins, and other foreignmaterials are destroyed. Thedrained lymph then continues itsflow. Most of the lymphatic fluidreenters the circulation via thethoracic duct (a common drainage

duct). Through this duct thelymph enters the brachiocephalicvein. The right lymphatic ductdrains lymph only from the rightupper extremity and half of theface and head.

The Nature of

Lymphatic Flow

During inspiration, thediaphragm muscle contracts,creating negative intrapleuralpressure. This is when both thethoracic and right lymphatic ductsrelease the largest amount of

lymph into the circulatory system.

Its important to rememberthese points:

Gravity is the main oppositionto lymph flow. Most of the lym-phatic vessels are between skeletalmuscles. When muscles contract(during movement), a pumpingaction is created, thereby pushingthe lymph along.

Pulsations of large vessels(arteries and veins) also help the

lymph to flow. The peristaltic contractions

produced by the walls of lymphat-ic vessels, however weak, con-tribute somewhat to the flow of

lymph (though not significantly).When we perform manual

acceleration of lymph drainage we

actually use the knowledge of thenature of lymph drainage andapply special techniques to accel-erate lymphatic drainage.

The WorkStep 1. The client lies on her

back. Place your hands on theupper part of the rib cage (mainlyon the sternum). Ask your clientto inhale and exhale. In the nextinhalation, resist the expansion of

T

hese days, the manual acceleration of lymph

drainage is mainly used by practitioners to reduce

the size of lymphedemas, even though the main

function of the lymphatic system is detoxification and

disposal of metabolic waste products.The compromised

quality of the air, water, food, etc., causes significant accu-

mulations of metabolic waste products in our body,

some of which are toxic. In many cases, this accumula-

tion of toxins in the body causes one to feel low energy

levels, fatigue, mood swings (the clinical symptoms of

which are often confused with depression by physicians)

fatigue, etc.There is no doubt that lymph drainage is a

powerful method for lymphedema reduction, but I also

believe we should offer lymph drainage to our clients as

a detoxification program. Clients who receive full-body

medical massage regularly (for example, on a weekly

basis) should be recommended every fifth treatment to

receive a lymph drainage session. I do not advise thera-

pists to incorporate techniques of full-body massage with

lymph drainage techniques, as this can cause severe reac-

tions such as headache, dizziness, nausea, etc.

Detoxification causes a significant improvement in the

power and function of the immune system. I personally

see regular lymph drainage sessions incorporated with

full-body stress management massage as no less impor-

tant than immunization against the flu virus and other

infections. Immunizations sometimes do not protect peo-

ple from contracting the flu, for example.A consistent

detoxification program has proven very effective in pro-

tecting humans from infections.

J U N E / J U LY 2 0 0 6 M A S S A G E & B O D Y W O R K 41

Detoxification causes a

significant improvement

in the power and function

of the immune system.

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rib cage with moderate pressure.Release the pressure upon exhala-tion. With resistance of rib cageexpansion, we cause thediaphragm muscles to work hard-er. The degree of the diaphragmmuscles contractions projects the

level of negativity of intrapleuralpressure. The more negative

intrapleural pressure we create, thebigger the volume of lymph drainsinto the circulatory system. Repeatthe rib cage expansion 56 times.

Step 2. Ask your client to turn herhead to the right. Place your handon the junction area of the thoracicduct and the brachiocephalic vein.Apply pressure (pumping action)upon exhalation. Repeat these tech-niques 56 times.

Step 3. Ask your client to turn herhead to the left. Place your hand onthe junction area of the right lym-phatic duct and the superior vena

cava. Apply pressure (pumpingaction) upon exhalation. Repeatthese techniques 56 times.

Step 4. Place your fist on theclients navel area. When theclient exhales, perform pumpingtechniques under moderate pres-sure. Given the fact that the

biggest lymphatic vessels includ-ing the cisterna chyli are on this

level, this pumping effort isextremely important for accelera-

tion of lymphatic fluid progressionto the thoracic duct. Repeat thistechnique 56 times.

Lymphatic nodes are mechani-cal and chemical filters. Aftermassive acceleration of lymphdrainage through lymphatic nodes,due to techniques described above,very often connective tissue with-in them becomes tense, which inturn reduces their drainage andfiltering capability. Therefore, it isvery important to massage all lym-phatic nodes in a gentle manner

in order to release this connectivetissue tension.

If you palpate any swellings,enlargements, or tenderness in the

lymphatic nodes, do not massagethose nodes. You should recom-mend the client to see her physi-cian.

42 M A S S A G E & B O D Y W O R K J U N E / J U LY 2 0 0 6

Warnings Occasionally lymph drainage

procedures cause nausea,

dizziness, muscle pain, and

decreased energy.This is a

result of massive release of

toxic products into the cir-

culatory system. Pleaseinform your client that this

kind of reaction is possible

and should be seen as a

positive occurrence as evi-

dence of detoxification.

During the procedure, if

your client reports

headaches, nausea, or dizzi-

ness, stop the procedure.

Invite your client for a

repeat session after two

days. Usually the reactions

mentioned above do not

reoccur because the earlier

session that prompted the

reaction removed enough

toxins.

Statistics show that only 10

percent of clients get an

adverse reaction to lym-

phatic drainage. However, 90

percent experience a boost

of energy, better mood, etc.,

after the first session.

All contraindications tomassage therapy are applica-

ble to manual acceleration

of lymph drainage. However,

people with specific medical

conditions need to consult

their physicians. Doctors

must be instructed that

manual acceleration of

lymph drainage is a very

gentle procedure that caus-

es massive acceleration of

lymph drainage to the circu-latory system.

At the time of direct, gentle

massage of lymphatic nodes,

if you palpate any swellings,

enlargements, or tenderness

of the lymphatic nodes, do

not massage them.You

should recommend the

client see her physician.

There is no doubt that

lymph drainage is a

powerful method for

lymphedema reduction.

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J U N E / J U LY 2 0 0 6 M A S S A G E & B O D Y W O R K 43

Step 5. Place the tips of the fin-gers on the submandibular lymphnodes, and under moderate/lightpressure, massage the nodes in acircular motion (56 times).

Step 6. Place the tips of the fin-gers on the submental lymphnodes, and under moderate pres-sure, massage the nodes in a circu-

lar motion (56 times).

Step 7. Place the tips of the fin-gers on the cervical lymph nodes,and under moderate/light pres-

sure, massage the nodes in a circu-lar motion (56 times).

Step 8. Place the tips of the fin-

gers on the axillary lymph nodes,and under moderate/light pres-sure, massage the nodes in a circu-

lar motion (56 times).

Step 9. Place the tips of the fin-gers on the cubital lymph nodes,and under moderate/light pres-sure, massage the nodes in a circu-

lar motion (56 times).

Step 10. Place the tips of the fin-gers on the inguinal lymph nodes,and under moderate/light pres-sure, massage the nodes in a circu-

lar motion (56 times).

Step 11. Place the tips of the fin-gers on the popliteal lymph nodes,and under moderate/light pres-sure, massage the nodes in a circu-

lar motion (56 times).

Step 12. Place the tips of the fin-gers on the malleolar lymph

nodes, and under moderate/lightpressure, massage the nodes in acircular motion (56 times).

As stated previously, the poresof lymphatic vessels are large.Therefore, the proposed steps ofpumping and direction of lym-phatic fluid to the lymphaticnodes must be performed gentlyand with a lot of sense. If knead-ing techniques are performed

instead of pumping, lymphaticfluid will be removed from thelymphatic vessels to the extracel-lular space instead of being direct-ed to the nodes, thoracic duct, andright lymphatic duct.

Step 13. With both hands, per-form pumping techniques on the

lateral sides of the lower leg witha combination of light strokesdirected toward the lymph nodes.Proceed with the same techniqueon the front thighs.

The main function of

the lymphatic system is

detoxification, but it also

plays an important role

in immunity.

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Step 14. With the client lying inan anatomical position, performpumping techniques on the fore-arm and arm, accompanied with

light strokes directed toward thelymph nodes.

Step 15. Ask your client to lie onher stomach. Perform pumpingtechniques on the lower leg and

back thigh, accompanied bystrokes directed toward the lymphnodes.

Step 16. Place both hands on thelumbar region. Move your strokestoward the lateral part of the

lower back and proceed in thedirection of the axillary lymphnodes. Repeat 56 times.

The total time of the session isapproximately 45 minutes. Usuallythe proposed protocol on the anteri-

or and posterior are completed in2025 minutes. Repeat the pro-posed protocol twice.

Authors Note

Dear practitioners, pleaseunderstand that lymphdrainage techniques are not mas-sage techniques at all. There is nodoubt that usual massage therapytechniques can contribute some-what to the acceleration of lymphdrainage, but not significantly.

The large pores of lymphatic ves-sels, under application of pressure,allow the lymph to move back intothe extracellular spaces instead ofproceeding through the lymphaticvessels to the lymphatic nodes andducts. Its simplicity and contribu-tion to well-being puts the disci-pline of lymphatic drainage fordetoxification in a unique positionof value. For example, a personreceives vaccination against the

flu that initiates antibody produc-

tion in the body. Existence of fluantibodies (the immune systemwarriors) means that this person

has acquired resistance to the fluvirus. But this person has a con-siderable accumulation of toxinsin her body. This means that heracquired immune system is signifi-cantly depressed, and that her

body has a lowered ability todefend against infection. Thisdepression of immune systemfunction can easily be restored bydetoxifying this persons body.Lymphatic drainage disciplinecauses significant detoxification,

which in turn boosts the functionof the already acquired immunecapabilities.

Boris Prilutsky, MA, is the foundingdirector and senior instructor at the Instituteof Professional Practical Therapy inCalifornia. Prilutsky graduated from the

Pedagogic Institute of Higher Education inVinnitsa, Ukraine, with a degree in physicaleducation, and from Medical College in

Ramat-Gan, Israel, with a major in chiro-practic medicine. He has been practicing andteaching medical massage for more than thir-

ty years. Contact him at info@ippt.com.

M&B

l y m p h d r a i n a g e