Lymphatic Drainage Massage Benefits + My First-Time Experience

Sharing the benefits of lymphatic drainage, as well as, my first European style lymphatic drainage massage experience at Sustain Massage in Manchester, NH.

It was back in July actually, that the idea of a lymphatic drainage massage first popped into my mind. My favorite health/fitness guru, Melissa Wood is always getting them & raves about how amazing they make her feel. Say no more, my interest was peaked & I wanted to experience it for myself. Plus, I have a pretty good understanding of what my body needs, & I knew I could benefit from some lymphatic drainage, so I started to do some research online. I googled “lymphatic drainage massage therapists in Manchester, NH” (where I live) & more options that I initially thought came up. Intuitively, I clicked one of the first massage therapies I saw, which was Sustain Massage, also like 4 minutes away from my house!

Although I had never done a professional massage for my lymphatic system, I already had some knowledge & a good understanding about how it all works. I’ve been dry brushing for over a year now & I purchased a Whole Body Vibration board while I was in Canada this past winter. Both, are wonderful ways to stimulate the lymphatic system, as well as, just being active in your day to day life.

Lately, I’ve just been feeling a little run down.

I’ve been overly tired & I have a lot of things that need to get done everyday. To sum it up, I needed a little boost. So this past weekend, I decided to schedule a massage with Nancy at Sustain Massage in Manchester, New Hampshire for Monday at noon. The timing was perfect, Monday’s are my free day, & I really needed a pick-me-up.

I was SO looking forward to the appointment, especially because it isn’t often that I get a massage. But I knew my body & mind needed this.

Prior to the massage, I knew I wanted to document my experience, but during & after the treatment I knew I HAD to because of how amazing it was. Truly. I was very fortunate to have found & worked with Nancy at Sustain – it’s amazing what you can find if you remain open to new things & new forms of healing, which this massage definitely was! So below, I’m sharing my first time experience getting a European style massage at Sustain in Manchester, some treatment add ons, & what to expect after & during your lymphatic drainage massage! Days later, I’m still feeling amazing…so I highly recommend giving a lymphatic massage a try if it’s been something you’ve been considering!

Benefits of a Lymphatic Drainage:

• Stimulates the lymphatic system
• Helps release a buildup of toxins
• Helps with relaxation & stress release
• Reduces inflammation
• Improves the immune system
• Can help with the process of cell regeneration
• Improves energy levels

What to Expect During a Lymphatic Drainage Massage:

I was under the impression that a lymphatic drainage massage was going to require a lot of pressure, all working up towards my heart. Instead, Nancy, my massage therapist at Sustain Massage Therapy, used gentle feather like motions with her hands, sweeping up my body, on both my front & back side, including my face & neck.

Although I trusted her method, I wondered to myself while we began, if I would feel a difference when I stood up after the session, since she was using such light pressure. But turns out, the massage wasn’t so much about pressure, but rather the sweeping movements towards my heart. Since our lymphatic system is right below our skin, there isn’t a need for heavy pressure.

I was in such a peaceful & relaxed state throughout the entire lymphatic massage – it was amazing.

Nancy performed an European style lymphatic massage on me, which incorporates light Swedish-style strokes on the body. The massage is a “tune up” for your lymphatic system, resulting in pure relaxation, while also leaving you feel refreshed & rejuvenated! And boy, did I feel just that!

What to Expect After Your Massage:

A lot of peeing. Haha! For me at least, I had to pee more than usual for sure! But I took that as a good sign that the work Nancy did worked & that the excess urine was just my body’s way of flushing out those built up toxins! After any massage, lymphatic included, it’s always a good idea to stay hydrated throughout the remainder of the day. Nancy also suggested that I drink herbal tea, such as chamomile – which is one of my favorites!

It’s also a good idea after a lymphatic drainage massage to rest, be gentle with your body, not overexert yourself, & wear loose clothing. Nancy explained to me that since our lymphatic system is right under our skin, we want to make sure nothing is too tight or digging in after experiencing the massage – hence the loose clothing!

Sustain Massage Therapy Enhancements

1. Kansa

Kansa was a completely new practice to me, but I was left completely fascinated by it, especially because my mom has always told me that my body needed copper. Basically, Kansa is an ancient Indian Ayurvedic treatment that involves running a copper wand (shown the 1st picture below) directly on the skin to draw out inflammation, balance pH levels, improve circulation, cultivate energy, & reduce stress.

Nancy did the Kansa treatment on the top of my head, face, & did some work with the wand around my third eye, which is located in the middle of the forehead. My massage ended with this ancient practice & after turning on the lights, Nancy examined my face to see if the Kansa pulled out anything, which would ultimately cause my skin to look grey or black (not permanent of course), but I didn’t have a reaction.

She mentioned how the work around the third eye usually results in pulling out stress, but she mentioned that I didn’t have any, which was really refreshing & assuring to hear. After this experience, Kansa definitely is something that I can’t wait to learn more about!

2. Foot Reflexology

Within my session, Nancy spent some time doing reflexology on my feet. Our feet are fascinating because on the bottoms of our feet, we have points that are related to other areas of the body, including our vital organs. Nancy gave me a gentle foot massage, with specific pressure on the different organ points to release blockages & restore balance throughout my body. It was amazing & incredibly relaxing.

3. Pink Himalayan Salt Stone

Before my session began, I told Nancy what I’ve experienced over the past couple of years. I mentioned that I experience aches & pains daily with no known reasoning behind it. She suggested that I take a look at my magnesium levels, because that could assist in the chronic muscle pain & soreness. Once our session began, she felt called to incorporate a beautiful pink Himalayan salt stone. Himalayan salt provides essential minerals, one being Magnesium.

She took the salt stone (shown in the 2nd photo below) & drew it along my body, & then proceeded to rest it on my lower back, where I experience intense soreness, during another segment of the massage. I’m a huge believer in all of the practices I experienced during my first lymphatic massage. Himalayan salt included…it has amazing benefits! It also reminded me that I need to use my salt lamp WAY more!

The morning of my massage, I was really really sore. I just came off a pretty intense two weeks of going non-stop & I was exhausted. My body was craving a reset. When I stood up from my hour-long treatment at Sustain, I felt incredible. I felt heard, I felt my needs were understood, & my body felt amazing. I instantly noticed a difference in my pain level. It was a great feeling.

To sum it up, I think getting a lymphatic drainage massage has become my new obsession. I’m really looking forward for what it could mean for me as I continue this healing journey of mine.

While there were a handful of massage therapists I could have went to in Manchester, Sustain Massage was one of the first websites I found/looked at & I’m SO grateful that I decided to go there & get treated by Nancy. She was a breath of fresh air & far exceed my expectations. If you are in the Manchester area, I can’t recommend her enough! Simply amazing!

Have you ever gotten a lymphatic massage?