Many think of manual lymphatic drainage as a type of massage; however, it is different from traditional massage therapy. When performing self-manual lymphatic drainage, there are several things to keep in mind.
Another important facet of this procedure is the “resting” phase. After performing the stretch and movement, you should then allow the skin to move back to its original position to allow the lymph vessels to absorb the fluids.

Manual lymphatic drainage is just one component of complete decongestive therapy (CDC). In addition to MLD, complete decongestive therapy includes compression, exercise, and skincare. These therapeutic components, when performed together, can ultimately relieve the symptoms of lipedema, which can often be painful.
When you stimulate the lymphatic system, you will feel the effects of several lymphatic drainage benefits:
Increase the capacity of the lymphatic system, which will then let it process more fluid than normal.:

• Increase the flow through the lymph nodes, which will, in turn, allow the system to filter out waste, dead cells, excess proteins, and toxins.
• The production of lymphocytes will increase to heighten the body’s ability to fight infections.

Other lymphatic drainage massage benefits include reduction of pain and swelling and an increase of venous return and circulation.

Here are Top 5 Reasons Massage should be part of your Regular Routine

1. Massage Helps Relaxation – This is one of the most immediate and noticeable effects of massage therapy. Massage helps with the release of endorphins, the body’s natural chemicals that produce feelings of calm and well-being. It can also help reduce levels of stress hormones such as cortisol, adrenaline and nor-adrenaline. The impact of this on our general health, wellbeing and longevity can be massive.
2. Massage Reduces Stress – Stress appears in everyone’s life to some extent. It isn’t always a negative thing, it’s a natural response to help us get through life. However, there are times that stress can become too much or overwhelming and it’s good to have strategies to both help us reduce the feeling of stress and also manage stress day to day. Massage Therapy is a fantastic way to both ease your feelings of stress and also manage stress long term. It enforces you to take time out, chill for an hour and will physically help you cope by easing any stress induced tension your muscles are holding.
3. Massage Helps You Sleep Well – The importance of the quality of our sleep and it’s impact on our life is becoming increasingly recognised. Sleep is an ultimate way to recover and having a massage can undoubtedly help improve your quality of sleep.
4. Massage Helps Recovery – Physically, massage is a key tool you can use to help not only tour mental but also physical recovery. If you’re training for an event, taken part in a race or competition or just exercise regularly, your body needs recovery to help it perform. The physical effects of a massage can help encourage and promote recovery and ward off injuries. Regular massage as part of a training programme is a great investment as it can play a key part in helping prevent injuries and optimising your physical performance!
5. Massage Improves Circulation – The manual techniques that are used by your massage therapist, will physically encourage circulation by moving blood through your tissues which can help flush the lactic acid through your muscles. It will also help with circulation of lymph fluid which carries metabolic waste any from muscles and internal organs. Enhancing your circulation will help promote healing as oxygen rich blood is circulated to damaged, tense muscles.

How often should you get a massage?
There’s no doubt that having a massage is good for our health and well-being. Whether you’re a busy Mum, work at a desk most of the day, are training for a marathon or spending hours commuting, a massage will help you feel great!

I often get asked how often people should have a massage. The frequency of a massage comes down to many factors. If you’re training intensely for a physical event, a weekly massage is ideal. If you build up tension in your neck and shoulders over time, once a month may be enough. Generally, once a fortnight is great – as it helps keep on top of those stresses and strains, without them building up and becoming a problem.

Whatever works for you, if you can set aside time for a regular massage your body and mind will thank you for it!

What type of massage do you do at Newark Therapeutic? I practice a style of Swedish and Deep Tissue along with many years of experience and techniques picked up from various therapies through my almost 30 years of practice. My sessions are unique and personalised to each individual client. Often more relaxing, sometimes more "clinical" which involves working on deep tissues to promote recovery and ease tension. I will always ask you a series of questions before we start, so we can tailor the experience to your exact needs and the areas you want to focus on.

Appointments are available 5 days a week, as early as 11am and as late as 6pm. You can book appointments or give me a text on 07909 567222. I often have same day appointments available!

So, if you’d like to experience the benefits of regular massage, book your appointment today.