Lymphatic Drainage Therapy

Lymphatic Drainage Therapy (LDT)

is a bodywork technique which utilizes Manual Lymphatic Mapping (MLM) to survey areas of the body where there is flow as well as rerouting, stagnation, congestion, and fibrosis, in the Lymphatic System. 

The Lymphatic System is part of the Circulatory System. Nope you did not miss that day in class, it has been commonly left out of diagrams and textbooks simply due to its transparent nature. It’s “rivers” are very thin (walls being 1 cell width wide) and 70% is just under the skin surface (attached by anchoring filaments), it was regularly dissected off without study. 

If you have seen a diagram, you may have seen Lymphatics represented in green. Because green is great! Green is replenishing! Green represents photosynthesis! In photosynthesis plants use the energy of sunlight to convert water from plant roots and carbon dioxide from the air, into oxygen (for us!) and glucose, (plant fuel), which will enable them to thrive and reproduce! Have you heard the phrase, “we are basically houseplants with complicated emotions”. Not exactly scientific, but it’s a sweet way to remember that we also need water and sunlight to thrive. These are precious gifts from an orderly universe.

Green is also a color that today we commonly associate with “Trash” and “Recycling”. The Lymphatic System performs BOTH functions, and so much more. Feather-fine Lymphatic Capillaries fan out beneath the 5 layers of our epidermis (the layers of skin that shed and constantly replace themselves) and are weaving through connective tissue and interstitial fluid. Just under the skin is where their job begins. Their purpose is to open their valves to take in fluid overflow and larger molecules like proteins, fat, cells, pathogens, as well as environmental particulate like toxins and dust. By our bodily movements and being gently moved (like in LDT), anchoring filaments connected from epidermis to lymphatic vessels, tug open the valves to create a dynamic suctioning force which brings this interstitial milieu into the rivers to now be called Lymph!


Lymph makes its way through Lymph Nodes. Nodes are like the TSA of the body. You can’t bring just anything with you! They are ports which filter self from non-self. If your constitution happens to be virus, non beneficial bacteria, damaged cell, or circulating cancer cell, prepare to miss your flight. White blood cells (Lymphocytes) are stored in Lymph Nodes and they do their very best to break down these intruders into teeny tiny bits, prepped for elimination. With so much to process day in and day out, this is a great reason to regularly engage in Lymphatic focused movement and bodywork. The more our Lymph System is activated and smoothly flowing, the less backup we will have which leads us to feel sick and sluggish.


After travelling through Lymph Capillaries, Lymph Nodes, Lymph Vessels, more Lymph Nodes, Lymph Ducts and Trunks, it releases into the Subclavian Vein, back to the Heart and Lungs, who in all of their Self-Love, sense of Preservation, and Innate Intelligence, hug the fluid one last time, re-uptaking nutrients needed for life, and sending debris to the Eliminatory Tract (out through Breath, Sweat, Urination, and Bowel Movements).

  • In Summary, The Lymphatic System:

    1. Regulates Fluid Volume and Pressure in the Body
    2. Supports Immune System by generating Immunocompetent Cells
    3. Carries Food (fatty acids) from Small Intestine into Blood Circulation
    4. Recovers and Returns healthy (proteins, lipids, electrolytes, etc.) and unhealthy substances living in the Interstitial Tissues, then filters through Lymph Nodes, and returns fluid to Blood Circulation
    5. Cleanses Tissues by removing cell waste, injured and dying cells, Toxins, Foreign Pathogens
    6. Supports Pure Hydration of Connective Tissue

  • Receiving Lymphatic Drainage will:

    1. Activate Fluid Circulation toward Equilibrium
    2. Drain Healthy and Unhealthy Substances from Tissues and Organs
    3. Boost Immune System by regular interface of Antigens (commonly called toxins) with Antibodies (I’ll just call them”hero” proteins)
    4. Stimulates Parasympathetic Nervous System – Rest & Digest state!
    5. Reduce Pain by alleviating Stagnation and reducing the signal of pain-sensing Nociceptors
    6. Reduce Muscle Spasms (including Constipation)
    7. Increases Tissue Regeneration and Oxygenation
    8. Lead to improved Body Movement & Freedom

  • Conditions which are Indicated for Lymphatic Drainage Therapy: (Not All are Listed)

    1. Stress
    2. Edema (Swelling)
    3. Inflammation
    4. Post Diagnosis for Dental Conditions and Surgeries
    5. Skin Conditions: Eczema, Rosacea, Acne, Pigmentation, Wrinkles, Cellulite, Scars, Burns
    6. Constipation, IBS, Chron’s Disease, Ulcers, Cysts, Food Poisoning
    7. Fatigue, Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, MTHFR Mutation
    8. Chronic Pain
    9. Insomnia, Sleep Disorders, Snoring, Jet Lag, Hangover, Headaches, Migraines, Vertigo, Tinnitus
    10. Detoxification from Addictive Substances and Environmental Toxins
    11. Breast Pain, PMS, Menopause, Fibrous Breasts
    12. Chronic Infections that have been and continue to be monitored by a Physician
    13. Muscle Atrophy, MS, Parkinson’s, Epilepsy, Nerve Disorders and Paralysis
    14. Emotional and Physical Trauma
    15. Pre and Post Surgery
    16. Visual Acuity
    17. Bone Dislocation, Muscle Strain, Hematoma, Tendon and ligament Pathologies, Fracture, Scars
    18. Lymph Drainage works on Animals too!

  • Conditions which are NOT Indicated for Lymph Drainage Therapy:

    • Active Infection
    • Blood Clots
    • Major Cardiac Problems
    • Uncontrolled Bleeding
    • Absence of Urination
    • Undiagnosed “Lumps”

At Bodinuity LLC, Lymphatic Drainage Therapy is performed as an individual treatment, or can be combined with Massage, Cupping, Aromatherapy, and Reflexology. Skin to Skin contact is best for treatment however can be performed clothed or through your prescribed compression gear, post-surgery.


Before AND After a session, drink plenty of Water to decrease detoxification symptoms like fatigue, dizziness, nausea, muscle pain, anxiety, headaches. The 2nd BEST thing you can do for yourself is to plan to Be Active after the session. Not your hardest workout ever, but the more you move post treatment, the longer your lymphatic system will have the “muscle memory” of functionality and ease of flow.


Feel free to Call Kaitlin if you have any questions before or after your session!

Resources: Silent Waves by Dr. Bruno Chikly

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