Feelings of heavy legs, water retention, swollen feet, cellulite, poor circulation… Have you considered lymphatic massage ? With the right techniques and tools, it's entirely possible to perform lymphatic drainage yourself . Here's all our advice on how to massage yourself and boost your blood circulation.
What does lymphatic drainage consist of?
To understand the importance of lymphatic drainage, it's essential to know what lymph is. This whitish or yellowish fluid circulates alongside the blood. It contains white blood cells and flows through the body's lymphatic vessels to eliminate waste and toxins. When the lymphatic system is overloaded or blocked, it can cause swelling and fluid retention.
Lymphatic drainage is used to activate the glands located in the collarbones, armpits, elbows, and knees to stimulate fluid circulation. It is a gentle massage that can be performed at a spa or at home with self-massage.
The benefits of lymphatic drainage
Performing lymphatic drainage yourself stimulates the circulation of lymph throughout the body. It's the ultimate detox technique! The benefits are numerous:
- Toxin elimination
- Improved blood and lymphatic circulation
- Reduction of swelling
- Stimulation of the immune system
- Reduction of cellulite
- Stress and anxiety reduction
Lymphatic drainage is therefore very effective in cases of :
- Water retention
- Edema and varicose veins
- Fibromyalgia
- Sensation of heavy legs
- Digestive problems
To learn more:
Side effects of lymphatic drainage .
How to perform self-lymphatic drainage?
The right steps to know before starting self-drainage
No special equipment is needed for self-massage. You can certainly use a body brush or a gua sha tool , but it's not mandatory! You can already enjoy the benefits of lymphatic drainage simply by performing the correct movements on the lymphatic points. At home, at the office, in a waiting room… These movements can be done anywhere, as long as you're standing.
Beyond the movements themselves, there are some basic principles to follow for effective lymphatic self-drainage:
- Stay well hydrated with warm water before, during, and after exercise. This helps flush out waste and toxins.
- Do not use oil , cream or talc for self-drainage. Fingers should not glide over the skin; they should be stretched.
- Apply gentle pressure , without pressing too hard. The lymphatic vessels are located just beneath the skin's surface; they need to be drained, not compressed. You must gently stretch and release the skin.
- Perform very slow self-massage movements , in accordance with the normal rhythm of the lymph (a slow rhythm).
👉 The allies of self-massage for lymphatic drainage:
- The massage brush : exfoliates the skin while boosting blood and lymphatic circulation, it's the ultimate anti-cellulite and water retention accessory!
- The supplement We want the draining elixir : prepare your body for summer with this plant elixir with a 3-in-1 action on drainage, silhouette and circulation.
- The complement: We want pretty legs Say goodbye to heavy legs with this combination of plants selected to activate blood circulation.
Self-massage of the legs to stimulate blood circulation
Start by massaging your knee . Lymph nodes are located at the back of the knee. This step helps prepare them to absorb the fluid. To do this:
- Place your hands behind your knee.
- Perform a rolling motion in a “J” shape to gently pump the back of the knee.
- Repeat this movement 10 to 15 times.
Next, you can massage the legs :
- Place one hand on the shin and the other on the back of the leg, below the knee.
- Massage horizontally from the back of the calf towards the front of the shin.
- Gently stretch the skin upwards on the leg then move your hands downwards.
- Repeat this movement down to the ankle between 10 and 15 times.
For the thighs , it's the same thing: bring the back towards the front then up towards the groin.
Self-massage of the face for a radiant complexion
It only takes a few minutes to drain your face. All these movements can be done directly with your fingers or with a gua sha (even better!). Here are the correct steps to follow:
- Start with a neck stretch while looking upwards;
- Gently tap around the collarbones (where the lymphatic terminal is located) and move up towards the neck.
- Massage the area around the earlobe.
- Make a pinch with your thumb and forefinger to grasp the oval of the face and move upwards from the middle of the chin to the ears.
- Smooth the skin from your chin towards your ears with light pressure.
- Perform a gentle smoothing motion from the top of the cheekbone outwards towards the outside of the face.
- Place your hand (or the gua sha) above your eyebrows and make the same smoothing motion outwards.
- Move upwards from the eyebrows towards the hairline.
- Place your hand behind your ear and slide it down your neck to your collarbone, then alternate with light tapping.
All these movements should be repeated 6 times.
Feel free to watch the video on spring lymphatic drainage and on gua sha facial drainage at the same time.
Self-massage of the abdomen to improve digestion
In cases of bloating, a swollen stomach , or painful premenstrual syndrome, self-lymphatic drainage of the abdomen is ideal. Several options are available:
1. Massage your stomach using clockwise circular motions. Place your palms flat on your stomach and rotate them with very light pressure around your navel. This movement helps to drain toxins, stimulate digestion, and relieve stress.
2. Place your hands in a prayer position at the level of your solar plexus, then slide them down and along your ribs to your sides. Repeat this movement about ten times. This gesture promotes fluid circulation and helps to release stomach tension.
3. Perform a lateral abdominal massage. Place your right hand on your right side (between the diaphragm and the iliac crest) and then slide it to the left. Repeat the same movement on the other side with your left hand. This gentle drainage aids digestion.
When should you perform lymphatic drainage at home?
You can perform your homemade lymphatic drainage whenever you like. Ideally, incorporate it into your morning wellness routine . This helps to invigorate the body and stimulate the lymphatic fluids that have been dormant overnight.
You can also perform self-massage at the end of the day to relax and release tension. Just avoid tapping movements too late in the evening, as they can be energizing and disrupt sleep.
Simply put, here are the best times to perform lymphatic drainage yourself:
- upon waking;
- after a long plane journey;
- after prolonged sitting;
- at the end of the day in case of high temperatures;
- after a large meal.
