DIY Lymphatic Drainage Massage

If there was ever a time for self-care…now is it.

With stress levels high, stay-at-home orders in place and our favourite health and wellness spaces, including LondonCryo, closed for now we all need to focus on taking care of ourselves at home. One of my favourite self-care routines — both physically and mentally, is the Lymphatic Drainage massage, normally available at LondonCryo as both a manual massage and with our fantastic Body Ballancer® system (at LondonCryo Belgravia).

Now, until we can offer these options up to you in person at the locations, we’d like to give you some direction for at home versions of this fantastic treatment. The lymphatic system, which is a series of vessels and nodes, is not something many of us think about when it’s working well, it tends to go on about its business moving lymph (which contains the toxins and waste from the white blood cells) out through the liver and kidneys where it is flushed out our bodies in waste.

A proper functioning lymphatic system helps keep us healthy — fighting infection and boosting immunity. Sometimes, however; it can get backed up causing swelling, puffiness and lethargy. In addition, lymphatic drainage can improve the look of the skin, helping to smooth out cellulite and firming up the body. For body manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) you’ll need a Lymphatic Drainage Tool. This is also great for at home-body sculpting.

First, we recommend a firming lotion or body oil to help the tool glide along your skin to stimulate the lymphatic system.

Take five deep breaths to get started and gently press down cross armed on your collarbones to stimulate the lymphatic system.

Then using your opposite hand in your armpit, press gently up towards your back and then up towards your armpit for three seconds at a time for 10 times, this also helps to start things moving.

Fit the tool to the body part that you are focused on, we recommend starting with your calves and using long, smooth strokes and working your way upwards to the top of the leg (there are lymph nodes in the groin area). Don’t be afraid to put some pressure into it.

Once you’ve done your leg, for your abs, push down across your stomach (towards the junction of leg and groin, where the lymph nodes are).

Then, starting at your wrist, smooth strokes up your arms (there are nodes under your armpits and at the base of your neck.)

Make sure you drink lots of water to help flush everything out.

If you really want to emerge from this feeling and looking great try our jade roller and gua sha for facial lymphatic drainage so that you can streamline from top to toe.

Check out our Instagram for videos on how to use these products.

I know that even though we are stuck at home, most of us are busy with work, kids, school, Zoom calls or even a Netflix marathon (no judgements on what gets you through), it feels hard to carve out some time for yourself, but it’s important to find just 15 minutes, three times a week to give your body and mind a little tune up.