Massage benefits

Lymph is the Secret river of health and Lymphatic system is called ‘Cinderella of Medicine’ or ‘Fountain-of-youth fluid scrubbing your whole body’.

It holds key to longevity, your ability to fight disease, your energy and wellness. Simply speaking, it keeps good things circulating and removes bad things!

Your lymphatic system is a network of organs, vessels and tissues that work together to move a colorless, watery fluid (lymph) back into your circulatory system(your bloodstream).

As a vital part of your immune system, your lymphatic system:

• Is body’s maintenance department, playing the crucial role in disease prevention and heart-gut-brain-liver health

• Maintains health of all cells by delivering nutrients and taking away cellular waste

• protects you from infection and destroys pathogens, a) getting information about them out b) destroying attackers by moving immune cells 3) cleaning the area by removing them

• helps remove cancerous, damaged, old or abnormal cells your body doesn’t need.

• Lymphatic system functions also include maintaining normal fluid levels in your body and

• Absorbing fats and fat-soluble vitamins so they can make their way into your bloodstream.

• Transporting larger proteins and fatty substances from GI track into the liver for processing

Every day, about 20 liters of plasma (the liquid part of your blood) flow out of tiny pores in the thin walls of your capillaries. Imagine water seeping out of a sponge. Where does this liquid go? It delivers oxygen and nutrients to the tissues surrounding each capillary. The tissues hungrily soak up all the nutrients while leaving behind waste (like a kid who finishes their food but leaves behind a pile of sticky napkins).

The plasma doesn’t mind cleaning up the mess — it picks up the waste and then returns to your bloodstream the same way it came, by flowing back through the pores in your capillary walls. Each day, about 17 liters of plasma return to your bloodstream in this way. Since 20 liters initially flowed out of your capillary walls, that means 3 liters are still roaming around in your body’s tissues.

That’s where your lymphatic system steps in. Tiny lymphatic capillaries pick up this remaining fluid from your tissues. The fluid changed its name during its journey: now instead of plasma, it’s called lymph. Your lymphatic capillaries move the lymph into larger tubes called lymphatic vessels.

These vessels keep the lymph moving until it ultimately reaches one of two major ducts in your upper chest. These are called your right lymphatic duct and thoracic duct, and they’re a bit like highway on-ramps. They merge into large veins called your subclavian veins and empty the lymph into them. From there, your lymph reenters your bloodstream and can flow through your body again.

Protecting your body against invaders: Your lymphatic system is part of your immune system. It produces and releases lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell) and other immune cells. These cells look for and destroy invaders — such as bacteria, viruses, parasites and fungi — that may enter your body.

The lymph system does not have a pump of its own. So it works by movement and light pressure. That’s why the lymph nodes are located at locations which continually provide both the requirements for the system to keep working.

Want to know where the nodes are located? Simple answer is- at all crevices of the body when we lie in a fetal position.

Credit for all clinical information on this page: Cleveland clinic website and works of Dr Lemole, renowned Cardiothoracic surgeon

MLD is a massage technique to stimulate the lymph flow. It targets the lymph system, 80% of which is just under your skin. Therefore, it is a very light, mostly superficial, but very effective massage.

All our cells rely on lymph fluid to boost immunity and transport waste products. So theoretically, a congested lymphatic system can compromise your immune system. And since lymph fluid is full of disease-fighting white blood cells, stuck or sluggish fluid can contribute to a host of issues.

The aim of MLD is to circulate the lymph fluid in higher volumes to get rid of metabolic waste and pathogens and reduce inflammation.

It also reduces fluid retention, resulting in improved toning of skin and muscles.

MLD follows a specific sequence, starting with the main drains in the body.

MLD involves gently stimulating specific areas of your body to move excess fluid buildup away from your tissues and towards lymph vessels and lymph nodes so they can get rid of toxins in your body and, to relieve inflammation.

During lymph drainage, a therapist will use light pressure and strategic massage techniques to prepare and clear your lymphatic system.

The session usually starts with a massage to stimulate the areas of your body that house your lymph nodes. This means a therapist will massage your armpits, neck and, with your consent, your groin area (yes, groin area has second highest concentration of lymph nodes). Next, they’ll coax excess lymph fluid from your swollen tissues toward your lymph nodes, where the lymph can reabsorb.

Carefully curated tranquil environment and caring touch of the practitioner create a safe space for promoting true well-being.

MLD is not a whole body massage. But works on strategic areas to give optimal results.

Dr Lemole, One of the Cardiothoracic surgeons on the first sucecssful heart transplant teams in 1968, recommends MLD once a month.

Good Lymph flow is essential for health at multiple levels:

• Clears toxins faster, reducing tissue damage

• Allows immune cells to go rapidly to damaged parts or those under attack by pathogens

• Reduces inflammation before it becomes chronic

• Washes the brain with its glymphatic arm

• Maintains strong heart by preventing clogs, blockages and other damage to heart

• Maintains better brain-gut health and connection, optimal liver function

MLD:

• Directly moves blood and lymph, getting nutrients to where they need to go and removing toxins and pathogens

• Relaxes muscles, allowing lymph vessels to expand, improving the lymph flow

• Reduces pain and anxiety

MLD relieves swelling that occurs when illness clogs your lymphatic system.

Our body has 10 liters of lymph fluid, which takes about 5 days to circulate under normal conditions.

MLD speeds up this circulation, helping to get rid of the toxins (metabolic waste) sooner and firing up immune system.

Typically, your lymphatic system collects your lymph and returns it to your heart via a network of vessels and nodes. When something disrupts this process, lymph collects in your arms, legs, ankles or other parts of your body, making them swell.

A massage therapist uses various lymphatic drainage techniques to move lymph from your tissues to your lymph nodes, which eases the micro-swelling.

MLD can help if your lymphatic system isn’t working as it should. You might have a congested lymph system if you develop:

• Bloating.

• Brain fog.

• Chronic sinus infections.

• Fatigue.

• Headaches.

• Puffy, swollen ankles or hands.

• Skin conditions like acne, dryness or rashes.

• Swollen lymph nodes in your neck.

MLD is recommended for:

Detox & Wellness

✔️ General bloating & low fluid retention
✔️ Post-travel swelling
✔️ Weakened immune system
✔️ Moods & sluggishness
✔️ Fibromyalgia & chronic fatigue syndrome
✔️ Sinus congestion & allergies

Women’s Health

✔️ Hormonal bloating (PMS, PCOS, Menopause)
✔️ Postpartum swelling & recovery
✔️ Breast tenderness & swelling

Aesthetic & Beauty

✔️ Puffy face & under-eye bags
✔️ Cellulite reduction
✔️ Skin rejuvenation & glow boost

Medical & Recovery Support

✔️ Post-surgical healing (reduces swelling & speeds recovery)

[^we do not treat certain conditions below but can give names of therapists specialising in this area]

✔️ Lymphedema^ (fluid buildup due to lymphatic issues)
✔️ Post-surgery^ swelling (liposuction, BBL, etc.)

Benefits:

MLD may reduce swelling in your body and make it easier for your lymph nodes to get rid of toxins, pathogens and unwanted materials. MLD benefits may include:

• Immune system support.

• Reduced fluid retention

• Better skin tone

• Muscle sculpting (*conditions apply)

• Relief from neuropathy.

• Stress management.

• Glowing skin (when done as a cosmetic procedure).

MLD is generally safe, but there are certain contraindications (situations where it should be avoided or done with caution).

We will assess your suitability for MLD prior to treatment.

Contraindications include:

• Acute infections (bacterial, viral, or fungal)

• Blood clots (DVT, thrombosis) – Massage can dislodge a clot, causing serious complications.

• Congestive heart failure (CHF) – Can overload the circulatory system. We do not offer this massage for any heart condition like Uncontrolled or severe high or low blood pressure

• Liver and Kidney conditions – The body may struggle to process excess fluid.

• Untreated cancer – Can potentially spread malignant cells.

• Pregnancy - We do not provide this massage in pregnancy

• Severe asthma – May trigger symptoms in sensitive individuals.

• *Recent surgery or open wounds - We do not provide this massage unless recovery is complete.

• Thyroid disorders – Can affect lymphatic flow and metabolism.

• Undiagnosed abdominal pain, acute viral or other infections

• Arteriosclerosis

• Excessive swelling- ^If you have excessive swelling in legs or any other part, your doctor says it is not fluid retention, we will give you some names of therapists specialising in this area; we do not offer massage for this.

  *^If in doubt, always check with your healthcare provider before booking a Lymphatic massage with us.

At Ayusha, we do not offer MLD treatments for lymphedema, lymphodema like conditions. Instead we can give you names of few local therapists who offer specialist care for these conditions.

• Please do not eat in 1.5-2 hours prior to appointment,  

• Use washroom prior to the start of the treatment if required.

• Not advised during menstruation period.

You can drive home after cup of warm water or herbal tea.

• It is highyl recommended to hydrate well with warm water for next 24 hours and take some rest after the massage.

• Avoid long travel and busy shopping centers.

MLD upto 60 minutes session costing $125.

One session can help, but to gain tangible, longer lasting benefits, we offer this massage as a package of 3.

To keep your lymphatic system strong and healthy, you should:

• Avoid exposure to toxic chemicals like those in pesticides or cleaning products. These chemicals can build up in your system and make it harder for your body to filter waste.

• Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated so lymph can easily move throughout your body.

• Keep a healthy lifestyle that includes regular exercise and a nutritious diet. Your provider can give you specific advice tailored to your medical history and needs.

• Deep breathwork and meditation also aid in maintaining the health of Lymph system.

• A monthly MLD (if not contraindicated) will help the system optimally working efficiently, in addition to benefits mentioned above.