The Deal on Detoxifying

Feeling poorly, puffy or pooped? Let’s talk about your lymph, ladies.

Published August 14, 2023

Meghan Markle once revealed a deep facial massage that encourages lymphatic drainage as one of her beauty secrets, and tennis star Sloane Stephens counts lymphatic drainage massage among the things she needs to feel her best on the court. Lymphatic drainage massage (or manual lymphatic drainage) has been building buzz for years. But what is it, how does it work and do you really need it?

What is the lymphatic system and how does it work?

When you hear the word “lymph,” you probably think of your doctor checking your glands or lymph nodes, but you might not really understand how this all works.

According to the National Institutes of Health, “The lymph system is a network of organs, lymph nodes, lymph ducts and lymph vessels that make and move lymph from tissues to the bloodstream.” Lymph is a clear-to-white fluid that drains from cells and tissues plus other substances such as proteins, minerals and nutrients. Lymph also carries lymphocytes, which are infection-fighting white blood cells.

When your lymph system isn’t working properly, it not only can affect your immune system but also digestion, metabolism and even the appearance of your skin, because part of the lymph system’s job is to help filter out toxins.

That means lymph plays a huge role in your immune system. Despite how important lymph and the lymphatic system are, you probably don’t think about it much.

It’s like the antivirus software that’s running in the background filtering out bugs and malware that could cause your computer’s system to crash. Think of lymph as your body’s antivirus protection package.

Lymph nodes filter the lymph fluid and remove bacteria and even cancer cells. When bacteria are recognized in the lymph fluid, the lymph nodes make more infection-fighting white blood cells, which causes the nodes to swell. You might feel swollen nodes in your neck, under your arms and in your groin.

Just as you may get a pop-up on your screen notifying you that your antivirus software has warded off a worm, when your lymph nodes swell, they’re letting you know they’re doing their job. However, if you’re experiencing extreme fatigue and swelling that lasts for more than a few weeks, contact your doctor as this could be a sign of a chronic or more serious illness such as cancer.

It works along with your body’s other purifying powerhouses, the liver and kidneys, to clear impurities. Anything we might do in the name of 'detoxing' is really in addition to the body’s own waste management systems.

It works along with your body’s other purifying powerhouses, the liver and kidneys, to clear impurities. Anything we might do in the name of “detoxing” is really in addition to the body’s own waste management systems in functioning optimally. Maintaining a healthy diet and getting enough sleep, water and exercise are the best ways to keep these systems functioning optimally.

When your lymph needs some extra help

According to Christina Jones Wade, licensed massage therapist, integrative nutrition health coach and owner of You Matter Massage & Wellness in Alabama, manual lymphatic drainage is the term massage therapists use to describe the technique, since many of their clients in need of MLD are unable to receive traditional massage therapy. A practitioner certified in MLD can give your lymphatic system the boost it needs, Wade explains.

“Lymph is designed to move easily through the body, but sometimes it needs a little help, especially after surgery or injury,” says Wade. “This is where manual lymphatic drainage comes in.”

MLD can be especially helpful for people suffering from lymphedema, one of the most well-known and potentially severe disorders of the lymphatic system.

When your lymphatic system is working properly, lymph drains from cells and tissues and is returned to the bloodstream to maintain normal blood volume and pressure, and to prevent the excess buildup of fluid around the tissues. But when things aren’t working properly you could experience lymphedema, or swelling caused by excess fluid.

“People can experience lymphedema for various reasons, but the primary reason is blockage in the lymphatic system that causes swelling or edema,” Wade says. “It can occur anywhere, but most experience swelling in the arms and legs.”

Cancer treatment – which can sometimes involve the removal of lymph nodes – can be a cause of lymphedema. Venous insufficiency, a condition in which damaged veins in your legs can’t manage blood flow well, can also cause lymphedema. Lymphedema can also be due to genetic causes.

But lymphatic drainage isn’t just for people suffering from lymphedema.

“It may be a relaxing way to receive a massage for people with autoimmune issues, cancer survivors and people who do not like deeper pressure,” says Kathleen Lisson, a board-certified massage therapist with Solace Massage and Mindfulness in San Diego, California. “At my office I see clients with lymphedema as well as clients who are recovering from plastic and reconstructive surgery and who are going through IVF treatments.”

MLD isn’t safe for everyone, including people with certain heart conditions, so it is best to consult your doctor first. But overall, Wade explains, “Since the lymphatic system supports our immune system, MLD can be helpful to our general health when facilitated by a trained practitioner.”

Javacia Harris Bowser is an award-winning freelance journalist and essayist based in Birmingham, Alabama, and she is the founder of See Jane Write, a community and website for women who write. Javacia has written for USA Today, Heart & Soul, Good Grit, HerMoney.com, and a host of other media outlets. She’s the author of Find Your Way Back, a collection of essays that explore how she’s used writing to cope with cancer and everything else life has thrown her way. Find Javacia on Instagram and Twitter @seejavaciawrite.