Manual Lymphatic Drainage

When is lymphatic drainage useful and when is it not?

There are various diseases and health conditions for which manual lymphatic drainage can be helpful. The following conditions are typical cases where lymphatic drainage can help:

• chronic lymphedema
• chronic venous insufficiency
• postoperative or post-traumatic swelling
• pregnancy-related edema
• cellulite

There are also some cases in which manual lymphatic drainage is objectively less helpful, but where our physiotherapists in Zurich can still offer the patient a feeling of improvement after your appointment through special massage techniques that stimulate the lymphatic system. This is the case, for example, with chronic polyarthritis and CRPS.

However, lymphatic drainage should not be used, or only after consultation with the treating physician, for certain medical conditions. These include:

• Malignant tumors
• Acute inflammation such as fever
• Severe heart failure (decompensated heart failure grade III-IV)
• Cardiac arrhythmia
• Very low blood pressure (hypotension, below 100/60 mmHg)
• Acute deep thrombosis of the leg or arm veins
• Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) or carotid sinus syndrome
• Unclear skin changes or inflammation of the skin (erysipelas)

Benefits of lymphatic drainage

Lymphatic drainage is particularly well tolerated by most patients and is perceived as helpful because it has a number of benefits. The main advantages are as follows:

• Reducing swelling: manual lymphatic drainage promotes the removal of excess tissue fluid, thereby reducing swelling. This is particularly relevant for lymphoedema, but the method can also be used as compression therapy to reduce swelling after injuries or operations.
• Pain relief: By relieving the lymphatic system and promoting the drainage of lymph, pain caused by swelling and tension in the tissue can be alleviated.
• Muscle relaxation: The gentle, rhythmic massage provided by a lymphatic drainage physiotherapy session can help relax a patient’s muscles. This is particularly useful for muscle tension or stiffness, which is often associated with pain.
• Strengthening the immune system: By stimulating the immune system and improving the flow of lymph, manual lymphatic drainage massage can help to strengthen the immune system. An efficient lymphatic system, and especially lymph nodes, helps the body to eliminate toxins and waste products, which in turn promotes the overall health of patients.