So you have been feeling a little run down and heard that MLD (manual lymph drainage) can bring some relief so you booked a Lymph massage and now you want to know what to expect!
The lymphatic system is a network of tissues and organs that help rid the body of toxins, waste and other unwanted materials. The primary function of the lymphatic system is to transport lymph, a fluid containing infection-fighting white blood cells, throughout the body. The lymphatic system primarily consists of lymphatic vessels, which are similar to the circulatory system's veins and capillaries. The vessels are connected to lymph nodes, where the lymph is filtered. The tonsils, adenoids, spleen and thymus are all part of the lymphatic system.
There are hundreds of lymph nodes in the human body. They are located deep inside the body, such as around the lungs and heart, or closer to the surface, such as under the arm or groin, according to the American Cancer Society. The lymph nodes are found from the head to around the knee area. So naturally receiving a massage of these areas is going to raise a few questions around how best to be clothed and draped (covered with towels during your massage).
The standard draping and dress code is that underwear stays on and we use towels to cover the groin. It needs to be explained however that the Lymph lie in and around the breast and as such it is awkward to work the area under a towel. So traditionally we expose the breasts during such a massage. Oils are mostly used in more relaxed styles of massage and the general pressure is very light to gentle.
