Lymphatic Drainage

At Edward Murphy Osteopathy, lymphatic drainage massage is one of our most common treatments and involves a gentle massage that encourages the movement of lymph fluids throughout the body. Lymphatic massage can be an essential part of a decongestive lymphatic therapy (DLT) treatment program and can have excellent results for patients who are suffering from a myriad of conditions.

The Lymphatic system is an essential part of our immune system, where our bodily fluids, through a network of lymph nodes, are drained and transported back into the bloodstream. For this to occur the heart needs to be able to pump blood through blood vessels throughout the body and requires smooth muscles in order to transport the fluid through the vessels. This process also removes any bodily waste in addition to creating white blood cells which are critical in assisting our bodies to fight off any infections. When this system breaks down, a buildup of fluid, also known as lymph, occurs, which can lead to swelling, particularly in the arms and legs, known as lymphedema. That’s where lymphatic drainage techniques come in!

Lymphatic drainage massage may assist in the acceleration of the lymphatic system, smoothing out the muscles, and assisting in the transportation of lymphatic fluids. As these lymphatic fluids contain toxins and bacteria, amongst other nasty things, lymphatic drainage massage effectively enables the lymphatic system to do its job.

At Edward Murphy Osteo, our lymphatic drainage massage technique involves applying light pressure and using gentle hand movements, including mixtures of tapping and rubbing techniques to gently stretch the skin in the direction of the lymphatic flow. The aim of this technique is to encourage the drainage process.

After undergoing a lymphatic drainage massage the aim of this treatment is to reduce swelling, restore functionality and mobility.

There are many conditions that lymphatic drainage massage may benefit, and these include;

treatment of sports injuries, such as strains and sprains, where the injury can impact upon lymphatic flow due to bruising

arthritis, including osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis where circulation can impact blood flow and circulation

sinusitis and upper respiratory tract infections

chronic fatigue syndrome where lack of and/or reduced movement can be a factor

treatment of lymphedema, acquired through pregnancy and medication use

breast surgery recovery, including those who have undergone lymph node removal as a result of breast cancer

following surgery or prolonged periods of illness where movement has been restricted, to aid recovery.

With lymphatic drainage massage able to have positive impacts on a number of conditions it remains a very popular treatment option at Edward Murphy Osteo. The treatment is suitable for both men and women and is most effective in adults, with adults making up a large majority of our patients.

The dedicated and highly experienced team at Edward Murphy Osteo have been providing lymphatic drainage massage within the local area for a number of years. Our mission is to ensure that our patients receive superior quality treatment options, that are delivered by practitioners that are committed to ensuring improvements to your health and wellbeing. As a practice, the team at Edward Murphy Osteo take a holistic approach to our treatments, and we take the time to understand each of our patients medical histories, devising treatment plans that target overall well being and that are not just focused on a specific issue.

Lymphatic drainage massage can have positive effects for many conditions, and we encourage you to contact us to make an appointment to discuss your treatment options.