Lymphatic Drainage Massage
Trauma-Informed Bodywork
Find relief from stress, pain, and swelling
Are you dealing with:
Inflammation
Pain
Fatigue
Heaviness
Tightness or stiffness
Muscle soreness
Swelling
Stress
Nervous system dysregulation
or more?
Lymphatic drainage is an evidence-based treatment to bring you relief
Have you ever wondered how the body gets rid of waste?
We’re mostly made of water, and our cells generate waste just by living. How does the fluid throughout our body stay clean?
The lymphatic system is the key.
Waste - including proteins, viruses, bacteria, metabolic byproducts, and other toxins - is collected by the lymphatic system, moved towards the center, cleaned in the lymph nodes, and eventually flows into the bloodstream to be filtered by the kidneys.
Lymphatic drainage uses gentle, painless touch to help the lymphatic system work more effectively.
How it feels after lymphatic drainage
After a session, my clients often describe feeling:
Open
Relaxed
Energized
Refreshed
Better flow
More spacious
Looser
Less pain
Less swelling
Mentally clear
Calm
Neuro-lymphatic drainage is a new treatment to do even more
If the lymphatic system clears waste from the body, what clears waste from the brain?
In just the last decade or so, we’ve discovered what’s now called the glymphatic system, which helps clear metabolic waste, toxins, and excess fluid from inside the skull.
Clearing waste is essential for the brain to function well. Delayed clearing is linked to neurological diseases, chronic fatigue, cognitive decline, and much more - even aging!
Neuro-lymphatic drainage can help the brain function better.
Benefits of neuro-lymphatic drainage
Everything affected by the brain can theoretically be helped by supporting the brain’s function.
Likely benefits based on our understanding of the glymphatic system so far include:
Prevent cognitive decline
Improve sleep
Normalize intracranial pressure
Reduce risk of neurological diseases and dementia
Support immune system function
Reduce fatigue
Heal faster from brain injury
Improve headaches
As a certified lymphatic therapist credentialed at the highest level, I’ve done thousands of hours of lymphatic drainage massage.
Hi, I’m Mara Levy (they/them). In the decade and more that I’ve been working with the lymphatic system, I’ve seen the benefits of lymphatic massage up close.
I’ve worked on all parts of the body - face, arms, legs, and more.
I love feeling swelling improve under my hands, and seeing my clients find a sense or rest and safety on my table.
I founded Rainbow Spring Wellness so I could bring services such as lymphatic drainage massage to my clients for as long as they need, giving each person my full caring attention.
Who benefits from lymphatic drainage
Folks with a wide range of medical conditions can benefit from manual lymphatic drainage, including:
Long COVID
Cancer and cancer-related changes
Pregnancy-related edema (swelling)
Autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and scleroderma
Post-surgical edema
Plastic surgery recovery
Constipation and abdominal pain
Rosacea
Long COVID
Neurodegenerative conditions such as Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Parkinson’s
Fibromyalgia
Post-concussion syndrome
Chronic fatigue
Evidence-based benefits of lymphatic drainage
Various studies have found a wide range of benefits, including:
Pain
improved pain threshold and pain tolerance
Mobility
improved range of motion, heaviness, and stiffness
Immune system
reduce inflammation and clear toxins
Circulation
improve blood flow, reduce swelling, and open lymphatic pathways
Nervous system
regulate autonomic nervous system and reduce sympathetic nervous system activation
Fatigue
improve sleep, increase oxygen saturation, improve breathing
Gastrointestinal problems
reduce constipation and pain
Stress
soothe nervous system, reduce fatigue, improve overall well-being
Want to hear more? Schedule a free curiosity call
What happens in a lymphatic massage session
We will start by checking in about your needs and goals for the session, and plan together what areas we’ll work on and techniques we’ll use. We can choose among traditional hands-on techniques, or use other tools such as cupping, vibration, or dry brushing.
You’ll be invited to change into something that doesn’t limit lymphatic flow and allows access to bare skin where it’s comfortable for you.
We’ll spend the rest of the treatment time following our plan, using light touch to clear congestion in the trunk then move fluid towards the center.
You will always have the power to stop or change what’s happening, no matter what.
What lymphatic massage feels like
Lymphatic drainage massage is gentle and painless. It should always feel pleasant and comfortable - if it doesn’t, you’re encouraged to speak up. Sessions tend to be deeply soothing, and some people even fall asleep.
During lymphatic massage, the skin is being gently stretched and allowed to relax. Unlike traditional massage, minimal pressure is used. Most people only feel their therapist’s hands on their skin, while some are able to feel fluid moving under the skin. Either way is normal.
Lymphatic massage is different to what we generally think of as massage. Instead of working on the muscles as in most massages, or on the fascia as in myofascial release, lymphatic massage is working just below the skin to help the lymphatic capillaries and the lymphatic vessels move fluid through the body. It feels so gentle that you might not think anything is happening, but it’s been shown to help the lymphatic system work more effectively.
After a lymphatic massage session, you should feel relaxed and refreshed. Many people say they feel lighter or more energized. Often people feel more space under their skin, especially in areas that were swollen or heavy. Frequently people will feel relief from their chronic pain.
Cancer and Lymphatic Massage
As a cancer survivor myself, I know how overwhelming it can be to get a cancer diagnosis and to get through treatment. I’ve been there, and I wish I’d had a therapist like me to see! Lymphatic massage can help folks with cancer in a few ways.
Lymphedema prevention
For people with breast cancer, or other cancers where treatment includes removing lymph nodes or radiation, there’s a risk of developing a type of swelling called lymphedema.
Lymphedema is a chronic condition that we don’t know how to cure, but there are ways to reduce the risks of developing it. If it does develop, it’s easiest to manage when it’s caught early.
While more studies are needed to confirm, it seems that regular lymphatic massage can help reduce the risk of developing lymphedema.
The ideal number of visits to significantly reduce risk isn’t clear from the literature, but several times a week for a month or two is ideal. Weekly visits are more practical, and should still give good results.
Getting through cancer treatment
Chemotherapy and radiation are both common cancer treatments, and can come with unpleasant side effects including fatigue, brain fog, and digestive problems.
Lymphatic massage helps with fatigue by accessing a parasympathetic state, which allows the nervous system to rest and repair.
Brain fog is also helped by allowing the nervous system to get regulated
Improving lymphatic flow helps the body clear itself of harmful toxins more rapidly.
Lymphatic massage can also improve digestion problems such as constipation by getting everything moving.
Dealing with medical trauma
Cancer is traumatic. Even with the best possible medical care, we’re facing our mortality.
Cancer treatment can also be traumatic, as we show up over and over for uncomfortable procedures that make us feel like crap. We know they’re helping us fight for survival, but it’s still hard.
Healing touch work helps. The benefits of touch are well documented, and lymphatic massage is a way to receive healing touch with additional benefits.
Lymphatic massage helps the nervous system better process trauma.
The physical signs of stress and inflammation are also improved with lymphatic massage.
As a somatic therapist, I provide a trauma-informed treatment space and can provide additional mental health support as needed.
Holistic breast cancer recovery care can include blending lymphatic drainage massage and somatic therapy
Interested? Schedule a curiosity call or a new client appointment.
Lymphedema and Lymphatic Massage
People with lymphedema know that ongoing effort is needed to control their swelling. Big changes can be made during intensive treatment with a lymphedema therapist, and that’s often covered by insurance. But the medical-industrial complex isn’t designed for chronic conditions. Once people transition from intensive treatment to the maintenance phase, insurance coverage dries up. People should get compression garments and be trained in managing their condition at home before being discharged from therapy, but after that they’re left to manage as well as they can on their own.
Regular lymphatic drainage massages can help keep lymphedema controlled, especially when combined with consistently wearing compression garments. I can usually see and feel the difference after doing lymphatic massage, and my clients tell me they can feel the difference too. Swelling gets softer, skin feels less tight, the swollen limb feels lighter, and it’s often easier to move.
If you’ve finished your insurance-covered therapy but want to continue getting lymphatic drainage from an experienced therapist, I’m here to help.
Lipedema and Lymphatic Massage
Living with lipedema is frustrating, and the medical-industrial complex makes it even more frustrating. Getting a diagnosis in the first place is a challenge, and many folks never know they have it unless they discover it online or meet a lymphedema specialist. We know liposuction helps, but getting it covered and finding a surgeon is hard. Insurance will often pay for a trial of conservative therapy with a lymphedema specialist, which is a great way to get appropriate compression garments and learn ways to manage lipedema symptoms. But insurance usually doesn’t like to pay for ongoing care, even though lipedema is a chronic condition.
My clients with lipedema tell me they feel lighter after manual lymphatic drainage sessions. They can move more easily, and their pain is relieved. Studies also indicate that MLD can help manage the pain and discomfort of lipedema. It can also help with bruising, improve mobility, and control swelling. It hasn’t been tested, but in theory it makes sense that regular MLD can also prevent developing lymphedema on top of existing lipedema.
The most effective treatment for lipedema is liposuction, and lymphatic drainage can help with pre-surgery conservative care. It’s also important to get regular lymphatic drainage massage after liposuction for the most effective healing process.
If you’d like to get lymphatic drainage massages, I’d love to see you.
Surgery Recovery and Lymphatic Massage
Any kind of surgery can lead to swelling, scarring, and pain. Manual lymphatic drainage can help with stubborn swelling after surgery, and can also help speed up recovery. Reducing swelling can help joints move more easily, speed up blood flow, and allow for faster wound healing.
If your surgeon is comfortable with it, schedule an appointment to try it out.
Liposuction and Lymphatic Drainage Massage
Swelling for 3-6 months after liposuction is typical. Lymphatic massage is recommended by many plastic surgeons to speed up recovery after liposuction, especially in the first few weeks. Post-operative swelling, pain, scarring, and tissue changes can all be helped by lymphatic drainage. Your suggestion may have recommendations for a specific number of visits.
All kinds of plastic surgery can also benefit from lymphatic massage, including for the face. People recovering from gender-affirming surgeries are particularly welcomed.
You can purchase a package of ten visits at a 10% discount for a full post-surgical plan.
Logistics
Lymphatic massage is $195 for a 60-minute session or $270 for 90 minutes.
A limited number of sliding scale appointments are available.
Insurance is not accepted, but in some cases a superbill can be provided if arranged in advance.
Appointments are at an ADA-compliant office suite in downtown Silver Spring, MD.
Learn to do lymphatic massage for yourself
Can’t schedule a visit in person? Want to do extra treatments for yourself?
Get a free download with illustrated step-by-step instructions for self-massage
You can also check out my blog post on how to do lymphatic massage for yourself