Mindbodygreen: What Exactly Is A Lymphatic Massage? Plus, How To Perform One At Home

When you think about getting a massage, benefits like relaxation and muscle relief may come to mind. But what about a massage that may support a stronger immune system and more muscle tone? Well, those are some of the potential benefits of a lymphatic drainage massage.

This type of massage has been popularized recently as a way to reduce bloat and flush out toxins, but it's actually been used as a medicinal practice for some time. And unlike some overhyped beauty and wellness treatments, there's actually a good amount of science behind lymphatic massages. To get the scoop, mbg tapped a few experts to learn about the technique, and if it's actually legitimate. 

Heather Jeffcoat, DPT at Femina Physical Therapy, says manual lymphatic drainage consists of specialized strokes and pressure that are performed in a certain sequence to increase movement. "These specialized hand movements follow the anatomy and physiology of the lymphatic system and should not be confused with a basic massage," she says.

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