Do you have leg swelling or lymphedema? If you do then you might want to watch this video.
If you are all diagnosed with lymphedema or you have leg swelling, your lymphatic system might be compromised. There are several reasons why you have lymphedema so be sure to see your doctor first to be cleared and proceeding to do the Lymphatic drainage massage.
Before you start try to measure your legs around the biggest area that is swollen first. Take note of that measurement.
It is better if you do this massage while laying down to let gravity assist with the drainage of your swelling.
The first thing that we need to do is to do a deep breathing. This will stimulate the deeper lymph nodes that is located in your belly. We are going to divide our belly into four areas. We put our hands over the top left first, going to the top right and then your lower left and your lower right. In each area we are going to do with deep breaths. Inhale and then when you exhale slightly push towards your belly.
Even though it is the legs that are swollen, we still need to stimulate the areas where you have healthy lymph nodes. The first area we need to massage will be your neck area. Gently massage the area under your jaw and behind your ear sixth at Nine times. Next you’re going to massage clavicle or collarbone area. Such slightly on top of your clavicle, 6 to 9 times. The next area that we need to massage is our armpits or our under arms. There is a concentration of lymph nodes there as well. Massage each under arm or armpit 6 to 9 times.
Next we are massaging the waist area going up to your under arms 6 to 9 Times. Now we are going to the groin area. Depending on which side is compromised. You massage the side with the healthy lymph nodes. Again do this 6 to 9 times.
After stimulating the lymph nodes we will proceed to your lymphatic drainage massage. We need to start from the top most part going down but the direction of the massage is going up. We need to do this because we cannot start from the bottom going upwards because that top area is where it might be blocked or there is a bottleneck. So we need to decongest that area first.
We will divide your legs in four areas. First we are going to start with your butt area. Massage going to the groin. Make 6 to 9 passes.
Next area is your thigh. Do 6 to 9 passes going up to your groin and do the same to the side and back area. The direction of your massage is going upwards into the front because your lymph vessels are wrapped around towards the front of your thigh. Around your knees and the back of your knee, pay more attention at the ridges where it is more difficult to get rid of the swelling. You can use your fingers in this areas.
Next area is your lower leg. Do 6 to 9 passes from the front, the sides in the back part of your leg. If you have a hard time doing this, you can sit on a chair and prop your leg up with a footstool or a stack of books or a stack of pillows. Laying down you can put your swollen leg on your good leg for better access.
Going down to your foot, pay more attention at the bony prominences that you call malleolus. You can massage top of your foot 6 to 9 times and each individual tell.
Now you go there reverse to further assist the fluid from your swelling to go upwards towards your groin area. Then go towards the side with a healthy lymph nodes and up to the waist and to the armpit of the same side of your swollen leg.
During the massage, pay more attention to the thicker more fibrotic areas. Use a kneading the dough method or gentle squeezing on those areas.
And to finish up, we go back to deep breathing. One cycle on each quadrant.
You can do this multiple times during the day. And don’t forget to stay hydrated and urinating to flush out the swelling.
#lymphaticdrainage #legswelling #edema
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Disclaimer:
This video should not replace the necessity of visiting your doctor or getting your occupational therapy session done. Please consult your primary care physician before doing any of this. The video is for educational purposes only.
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