Is Lymphatic Drainage for Me?
Many of my chronic pain clients, find me after countless hours of searching for alternative health options to manage their pain. By the time they arrive, they’ve often been through the wringer—bounced around the medical system, wrongly accused of exaggerating their symptoms, denied proper treatment, and faced numerous other challenges.
To me, this person is not just physically drained but also emotionally, mentally, spiritually, and socially exhausted. My role is to help them feel confident in the benefits of lymphatic drainage while providing a realistic understanding of its capabilities and limitations.
In the sections below, I tackle two of the most common questions I hear about lymphatic drainage. As I always tell my clients: don’t just take my word for it. Use this conversation as a springboard to empower your wellness journey!
How Soon Will I Get Results?
There isn’t a magic timeline for when you’ll see results from treatment. The truth is lymphatic drainage might not work for you.
Let me share a quick story. A client came to me seeking relief from chronic fatigue, pain, and tension through lymphatic drainage. After a few of sessions, they complained that they weren’t achieving the results they wanted. After reevaluating, it became clear they hadn’t made any effort to improve their sleep or manage their stress. They were hoping our sessions could compensate for unhealthy habits. So, I told them exactly what I’ll tell you: “No treatment can override the basics of health. It’s like trying to out-exercise a bad diet. You can’t. The foundation matters.“
Lymphatic drainage is just one piece of the puzzle. It becomes a game-changer when paired with the fundamentals—good nutrition, quality sleep, effective stress management, and other wellness components. Without those? Your results will fall short. Leaving you disappointed.
Before stepping into this journey, it's time for some real talk: Are you truly ready to make the changes your body is asking for? Or are you hoping that a session at Therapivity will magically undo the impact of habits that aren't serving you?
Scientifically, Does Lymphatic Drainage Work?
Before diving into whether lymphatic drainage is scientifically proven effective, let’s take a step back and address the validity of massage therapy.
Does massage therapy even work?
I’m sure you’ve seen social media influencers and health professionals talk about the ineffectiveness of massage or manual therapy. Half of these people create sensationalized content to boost page traffic, while the others stick rigidly to scientific studies without broader consideration. While I trust science, I am also aware that there is still so much we do not know about the human body despite all the research.
In addition to that, scientific studies have historically been notoriously biased. Some researchers fall victim to confirmation bias, others are influenced by funding bias, and research participants rarely represent the population accurately due to selection bias. And that’s just scratching the surface—many more types of biases are at play.
The last point I’d like to make is that massage is challenging to measure and repeat. Unlike a pill with a consistent dosage, massage involves a human element—each therapist brings their unique touch, pressure, intuition, and technique. Even the same therapist might adjust their approach based on the client’s needs, mood, or feedback during the session. This variability makes designing standardized, repeatable studies challenging, so massage often doesn’t get the same level of support as other interventions.
Does that mean massage isn’t effective? Absolutely not. Massage exists in this space where science meets art—a blend of technique, intuition, and human connection. It’s not a one-size-fits-all solution, which makes it so unique and unbounded.
Ultimately, it's up to you to decide whether massage & lymphatic drainage deserves a spot in your wellness routine, and honestly, I find that choice empowering.
Here are several peer-reviewed studies highlighting the effectiveness of lymphatic drainage for various conditions:
- Effects of Manual Lymphatic Drainage with Mobilization and Myofascial Release on Muscle Activities
- Improved Quality of Life in Patients with Abnormal Body Mass Index after the Use of Manual Lymphatic Drainage
- Comparisons between Manual Lymph Drainage, Abdominal Massage, and Electrical Stimulation on Functional Constipation Outcomes: A Randomized, Controlled Trial
Closing Thoughts
I am not immune to my own biases. But I do trust lymphatic drainage based on results I have achieved in my practice. Still, every person’s body is different, and that’s the intriguing part of this process. Your body gets the final say, and I’m here to listen, adapt, and be part of that journey with you.
Massage, in general, is challenging to measure in studies due to its subjective and variable nature, but this doesn’t take away from its effectiveness. While research supports the effectiveness of lymphatic drainage, it’s not a quick fix. Achieving lasting results requires effort and commitment, such as addressing bad habits like poor sleep.
Ultimately, sessions at Therapivity are a collaboration between therapist and client. It’s about meeting the body halfway, embracing possibilities, and empowering clients to decide how it fits into their wellness journey.
Remember, the best professionals leave room for possibilities!
Dana G.
Licensed Massage Therapist & Wellness Coach at Therapivity
References:
Drouin JS, Pfalzer L, Shim JM, Kim SJ. Comparisons between Manual Lymph Drainage, Abdominal Massage, and Electrical Stimulation on Functional Constipation Outcomes: A Randomized, Controlled Trial. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020 Jun 1;17(11):3924. doi: 10.3390/ijerph17113924. PMID: 32492920; PMCID: PMC7313091.