If you sometimes feel your legs or belly swell at the end of the day or your legs feel heavy and tired, this article will interest you. Find out why you retain fluids and how massage can help you.
Fluid retention is responsible for the appearance of cellulite, abdominal swelling and eye bags. It also manifests itself in swollen legs and feet, and even in the hands. Cellulite is always associated with fluid retention in the interstitial tissue, and it is essential to treat it both to prevent its appearance and to eliminate it.
What causes fluid retention?
- Hormonal changes (pregnancy, adolescence, menstruation...).
- Genetic inheritance
- Excess weight
- Circulatory problems
- Low protein and fiber intake
- Sedentary lifestyle, standing or sitting for long hours.
- Stress
- Climate changes (when it is very hot for example) and pressure changes (long flights, or in the case of flight personnel, for example).
- Health issues, such as having gone through cancer and having enlarged lymph nodes.
What is manual lymphatic drainage and what is it for?
Lymphatic drainage is a massage that acts on the lymphatic vessels in order to eliminate interstitial and lymphatic fluid.
Manual lymphatic drainage is a therapy that facilitates lymphatic circulation. It is used when fluid or substances accumulate in the connective tissue (edema) or when the lymphatic system is disturbed and cannot eliminate all the fluid by itself, for example, when it is very hot.
How to perform a manual lymphatic drainage?
It is a massage that requires the use of slow, harmonic and rhythmic movements. The pressure of the hands will be very soft and following the lymphatic path in each part of our body.
The lymphatic path is marked by the lymphatic circulation. A complementary circulation to the venous circulation thanks to which the liquid flows from the external tissues to join the blood. This liquid is denser than blood, as it can carry proteins or particles larger than blood.
What is the function of lymphatic drainage?
Manual lymphatic drainage has many different functions:
- One of the best known is the improvement of edemas. Whether produced by surgery, venous insufficiency or trauma for example.
- In addition, manual lymphatic drainage acts on the vegetative nervous system and can reduce pain.
- And better the immune system, if this technique is practiced regularly.
- Manual lymphatic drainage has important aesthetic benefits, such as reducing and avoiding cellulite.
