It’s also not meant for everyone. Bolvary says those with active cancer, blood clots, acute infections, severe kidney issues, or fever should always check with a doctor first.
Lymphatic massage is very safe when done correctly, but it’s not for everyone. Anyone with active cancer, blood clots, acute infections, severe heart conditions, kidney issues, fever, or any other health conditions should always check with a doctor first.
The Massage
To give yourself a lymphatic massage, you’ll need the right tools and technique. The experts break it down as follows:
Assemble the Materials
For treatments in her Los Angeles space, Lanini uses a custom blended cream that’s formulated with caffeine and antioxidants. But at home, “any oil or cream you have can be used to self-drain,” she says. The pro recommends massaging the arms, legs, and stomach up to 3 to 4 times a week at home. “However, when done by a professional,” she explains, “1 or 2 times a week is enough, but each body is different.”
I tried the technique for myself. While Lanini uses firm pressure to deliver her transformative treatments, I quickly learned my hands were not as strong, so I tested out a set of body tools, like de la Heart’s wooden version, and Esker’s jade roller, to mimic the same results. Here, the pro walks through her recommendation for DIY’ing lymphatic drainage at home.
Upper body
To begin, Lanini suggests standing in front of the mirror and pressing on the area just below your collarbones to get the drainage started. “Then press the armpit three times with your right hand and vice versa.” Lanini urges clients to move their strokes in the direction of the lymph node, or upward, always. Next, continue moving over the arms with light pressure from the elbow to the shoulder and repeat on the other side. To massage the stomach, press your palms flat down onto the area in between your hip bones “With hands overlapping, make circular movements around the navel button 5 times” she says. “Then pinch the entire stomach area,” for about a minute, until the skin is slightly pink.
Lower body
Gospic says when it comes to massaging the lower body, everything will move upward toward the groin. She says to start with your hands in the crease, where your thigh meets the pelvis, and use gentle inward strokes or pumps. Next, you’ll move to the feet and ankles, where she says to sweep the movement at the top of the foot toward the ankle. Once at the ankle, you’ll move to the mid-calf several times.
