Anyone had a lymphatic massage?

I occasionally go for a massage and this week I had 2 since I hurt the muscles in my back something awful over the weekend. This was the 2nd time a therapist has suggested lymphatic drainage massage to me. I scheduled an appointment in 3 weeks (plenty of time to cancel) but wondered if anyone else has done this.

For those not familiar, it involves lightly massaging the lymphatic glands of the body to encourage toxins and waste to leave the body (via your sweat glands, urinary tract, etc. depending on the type of toxins and where they're located). My massage therapist is a former nurse so she's quite educated. She said I might find it cleansing, especially since I'm dieting. She found that for 2-3 days following, her urine had quite an odor so she took this to mean she was secreting unnecessary waste. She gave me a sample of the technique on one arm and I immediately started to sweat a little bit. It was very interesting.

Anyone done this? What was your experience? Would love thoughts/feedback/debate on the value of this technique.

Anyone?

I think the "unnecessary waste" here would be your money, should you choose to spend it on this. Just my opinion though.

Why?  Not arguing... I just came here to get reasonable feedback and you didn't give any explanation.

No one?

I have never heard of that kind of massage... maybe you should google it to find out how others think.

Massages are great, I love getting them.

On the topic of lymph nodes, I know of two ways cheaper ways to stimulate them. 
One is to jump on a mini trampoline.  About $40.00 to buy a new one at Wallymart.  All you do is jump on it to some music.
The second is to dry brush.  About $1.00 to $10.00 for the brush and you just start brushing with the soles of your feet and work your way up your body. 
Lots of links for both, just google them.

Original Post by spoiled_candy:

The second is to dry brush.  About $1.00 to $10.00 for the brush and you just start brushing with the soles of your feet and work your way up your body. 
Lots of links for both, just google them.

I just did some reading on the dry brushing and this does seem like a cheaper, equally effective way to give this a try.  Thanks!

And, Jessi, I've done lots of reading up on lymphatic massage and the jury is still out on the benefits.  Massage therapists and chiropractors swear by it.  Doctors say it's harmless and unnessary.  I just wanted to hear some more first hand experiences.

Hellooooo! I have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/M.E. There is a treatment called Perin Treatment, which is a form of lymphatic draining massage specially developed as a treatment for CFS... I had it about a year ago. It definately had an effect on me.. unfortunately it was very negative. It made me soooo much more unwell, worsened all my symptoms and partially contributed towards a relapse.

HOWEVER, since you're not going as treatment for illness it COULD work positively for you. I think it only had such a negative impact on me because of my CFS. 

It's really pricey though, so you kind of need to ask yourself what you're actually going to get out of it... Obviously it would have been worth it for me, had it lessened my CFS symptoms. 

I don't understand why your therapist has recommended a lymphatic drainage massage?  What is it expected to achieve -  an outcome of  'might find it quite cleansing' and her own subjective experience is not based on scientific evidence- based research.  If you are normally healthy your body is perfectly cabable of eliminating toxins on it own - that has been proven scientifically. Dieting does not increase toxic build up - to my knowledge!

Lymphatic massage claims that immune system function can be significantly increased, improving metabolism and helping the body to eliminate waste and toxins. This has yet to be proven in scientific terms.  It is known that massage, or exercise will shift the flow of lymph and can  help reduce odema.

My advice is have the muscles on your back massaged, and soft tissue release for trigger points will help you gain your strength back. A  good massage therapist should be able to do  that. Keep moving as much as possible.

FYI I am a qualified physiotherapist, and I work along side massage theratpists.  The pressure used in lynphatic massage (rather than theraputic drainage for oedematus limbs) is so light that  any effects are probably subjective , and so it is not used as a treatment at our practise.

I hope that helps

All the best

Fizzo

Thanks so much to fizzo anf fayxo.  That was the kind of feedback (even though it was negative) I wanted to get.  I think I'll cancel the massage and if I am really curious, I can try the dry brushing technique fayxo recommended.   I looked it up and it seems easy and inexpensive.