How to do an at home Lymphatic Drainage Routine

Lymphatic drainage massage has been made popular by celebrities over the last few years for its body sculpting effects. But lymphatic drainage massage isn’t just a beauty technique – it comes with health benefits too. Lymphatic drainage massages focus on the body’s lymphatic system. The lymphatic system contains vessels and nodes with lymph, a mixture of proteins, water, waste products, and immune system elements.

Located throughout the body, the largest nodes are in the neck, groin, and armpits. These lymph nodes filter all this debris to make sure “clean” lymph is transported back to the veins that carry blood toward the heart.

This type of massage aims to help the body maintain proper blood circulation, body fluid balance, and immune functions. Experts say that proper weekly lymphatic drainage sessions can strengthen the immune system, help reduce cellulite, and improve your mood.

In the past when we have researched where to get it done in South Africa, options have been scarce. Moreover, getting a professional massage weekly is beyond most of our budgets. Why not introduce techniques that assist with lymphatic drainage in your at home self-care routine?

To promote lymphatic drainage your options aren’t only pricey massages or tools. Gentle runs, swimming and contrast hydrotherapy are said to help too. Dry body brushing, self-massage and tapping are other great methods which have added benefits in addition to creating a relaxing and rejuvenating self-care routine.

Celluvac have a few products that give you everything you’d need to try lymphatic drainage at home. They can either be purchased separately or in a bundle together. They are;

#1 Dry Body Brush

Dry Body brushing exfoliates the skin and detoxifies by increasing blood circulation and promoting, lymphatic drainage. Together the result is brighter skin, and some claim that it reduces cellulite too. Dry brushing is done before showering or bathing. You do it by gently but firmly brushing long strokes towards your heart (for both arms and legs). When you get to your stomach, you go in clockwise direction.

Dry body brushing is also great if you get dry itchy skin, it’s very relieving and the exfoliation is helpful for getting dry dead skin to slough off so that your moisturiser can penetrate better.

#2 Body Gua Sha Paddle

We’ve been fans of facial gua sha for quite a while and were delighted to introduce this technique for the body as well. Body Gua Sha is used to massage your body from head to toe. It helps with lymphatic drainage and stimulates blood flow but also helps reduce body pain and relax tired muscles. It especially feels great to relieve post workout muscle soreness. Body gua sha is best done after your bath or shower. Slather on a moisturiser or body oil and paddle in the same motions as you do for dry brushing. I have found body oil to be more affective as it doesn’t absorb into the skin as quickly so provides slip for the paddle. The added benefit of this step is how moisturised your skin will be, especially with winter around the corner.

If you’re looking for a tutorial on how to dry brush and use the body Gua Sha tool, I enjoyed this one on YouTube.

#3 Bamboo Body Tapper

Body Tapping with bamboo is an ancient Chinese therapy called Pai Sha and an element of Qi Gong. It is used to improve circulation and energy levels. By virtue of the circulation boosting benefits, body tapping also boosts lymphatic drainage.

If you want to delve into what it is, how to do it and contraindications – I enjoyed this video which screams authentic.

It might look like you’re just smacking yourself, but I was very surprised to discover how amazing it feels. The feel and sound is incredibly therapeutic and it is easy to do. You can attach it to a whole circulation boosting body routine or do it on its own when you’re feeling tired or stressed.

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Celluvac sent us their body bundle tools to test out. This article was not sponsored, previewed or pre-approved by Celluvac. Opinions are our own.

Sources: webmd, vogue, womenshealthmag