Lymphatic Drainage Massage at Home: A Beginner's Guide

Lymphatic massage is a very light technique. If you're pressing hard, you're doing something else.

Before you start

Skip it and speak to a professional if you have an infection, a fever, a skin condition on the area, heart or kidney problems, or diagnosed lymphoedema. For lymphoedema in particular, treatment should come from a trained lymphoedema therapist, not a YouTube tutorial.

The basics

• Pressure: feather-light, enough to move the skin, not the muscle underneath.
• Direction: work towards the heart, in slow, sweeping strokes.
• Pace: slow. Rushing defeats the point.
• Length: five to ten minutes is plenty.

A simple sequence

1. Start at the neck: gentle downward strokes at the sides, a few times.
2. Move to the collarbone area with light circles.
3. For arms, stroke from wrist towards shoulder.
4. For legs, stroke from ankle towards the knee, then knee towards hip.
5. Finish with a few slow, deep breaths.

Making it a habit

Most people find it easiest after a shower, when skin is warm, or in the evening as a wind-down. A little oil or lotion helps the strokes glide.

Stop if

Anything hurts, or the skin becomes red or irritated.

General information only, not medical advice.