The lymphatic system is a system composed of lymph vessels (channels) and lymph nodes whose function is to balance fluid dispersion, and help the body to get rid toxins, waste materials, and unwanted materials by transporting i.e. circulating lymph (a clear white fluid that carries infection-fighting white blood cells) across the body.
Lymphatic Massage, also known as Lymphatic Drainage Massage or Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD), is a gentle and rhythmic massage style that aims at stimulating the lymphatic system in moving lymph more quickly and effectively through the body. Common massage techniques include applying pressure and compression on body tissues, (skin) stretching, and using strokes and pumping movements.
For non-binary and transgender people who want to undergo Gender-Affirming Surgery such as Facial Feminization Surgery, Top Surgery, and/or Bottom Surgery, Lymphatic Massage can serve as an important pre-surgical and/or post-surgical massage treatment to prepare the body for surgery on one side and promote i.e. speed-up healing after surgery on the other side.
As it is, an optimally functioning lymphatic system can reduce fluid accumulation (congestion) in the body or body parts, reduce bruising, decrease body tissue tensions and inflammation, alleviate swelling, promote wound healing, and encourage improved blood circulation and healthy immune response.
In addition, the lymph massage treatment can help in breaking down scar tissue, restore range of motion, and stimulate pain relief, overall relaxation and health, and feelings of wellbeing.
Lymphatic Massage is typically applied as a Full Body Massage carried out on a massage table, although it can likewise only be focused on particular trouble spots of the body. As a rule there’s much attention on working on the areas that contain lots of lymph nodes, such as the armpits, chest, abdomen, and groin.
The massage treatment can take between fifteen minutes and an hour depending on the goal of a session or body areas treated, and can be repeated over a longer period (for instance, several times per week notably post-surgical, then weekly, and finally once per month or so) as long as needed or wanted.