10 Common Side Effects After a Lymphatic Drainage Massage
Lymphatic Drainage Massage aims to improve the body’s natural ability to detox by manually stimulating the lymph nodes (which are responsible for filtering lymph fluid, trapping bacteria and dead cells, and flushing out waste) and moving lymphatic fluid through these nodes and towards the heart so that it can join the circulatory system and be eliminated from the body.
The goal of this type of massage is to help support your body in balancing inflammation and fluid, thereby strengthening the immune system. Depending on how much gunk, cellular debris, and fluid your body is retaining, you may feel some of the following immediately after your lymphatic drainage massage or in the days that follow. I’ve included each symptom, what it means, and how to support it or minimize it (because some can feel unpleasant)…
Feeling Lightness, Less Heavy + Less Stiffness
Almost immediately after you get off the massage table, you may notice your body feels lighter, your legs feel less heavy, or your joints feel less stiff. This is a result of moving fluid that was stuck in your lower extremities. Sitting too much compresses these nodes, and standing too much throughout the day works with gravity to pull fluid downward. The inguinal nodes (in the hips) in particular tend to get taxed because they are responsible for draining fluid from the lower abdomen and legs. When your body is horizontal (lying down with your feet neutral or elevated), the body is better able to eliminate waste. The same is true for the nodes under our armpits (axillary nodes); think about how our arms are positioned at the sides of our bodies. During a Lymph Massage, your practitioner (and your body) work together to move that fluid up towards the chest, out of the legs and arms, and clear those compressed nodes, thus lightening the load. Joints feel like they have more range to move because inflammation has been reduced.
What you can do: To further support this lightness, elevate your feet (and arms) at the end of the day. Walking, jogging, rebounding, or doing jumping jacks can also help move the fluid.
Appearing Slimmer, Less Bloated + Less Puffy
Along with what I mentioned above, when we clear the lymph nodes, there is space for the extremities to drain, which helps move stuck fluid and waste, reducing puffy, bloaty appearance. When the lymph nodes under the jaw and along the neck are cleared, the face can drain, which reduces facial puffiness. When the lymph nodes under the armpits are cleared, the arms can clear, which reduces puffiness in the arms. When the nodes in the hips are cleared, the abdomen and legs drain, which relieves some of that bloating and fluid that can contribute to the appearance of cellulite. This is why lymphatic drainage is associated with body sculpting and contouring.
What you can do: To enhance your results, continue supporting the flush after your massage by drinking a ton of water, electrolytes, eating foods that support flow (like warm foods, soups, and teas), and gently moving your body. Hopping in a sauna or bath can help, too! To further maintain this, schedule a lymphatic drainage massage every month or so to target your areas of concern. Ideally, start with three sessions closer together, and then your therapist can help with when to taper off.
Less Foggy, Less Face Tension + Ability to Breathe Better
Facial Lymphatic Drainage is truly miraculous. Not only is it super relaxing to receive, but you may notice your ears pop, your brain feels clearer, your jaw feels more relaxed, and you can breathe better. Then, when you look at yourself afterwards, you may notice bags under the eyes are gone, the jaw looks more defined, and your face overall looks more toned. Once again, the magic of moving stuck fluid!
What you can do: Be outside in fresh air for a little while — try not to immediately jump on a screen. Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and smoking anything. Let your skin breathe. Self-facial lymphatic drainage massage between sessions with a practitioner can maintain your results. Tools like Gua Sha, Face Rollers, Facial Dry Brushes, and Facial Cups can help, too, just make sure you know how to use each and that you’re opening lymph nodes and moving fluids towards them!
Increase in Urination
A big part of lymphatic drainage massage is moving fluid in the body. When the body retains fluid, it's a sign of fluid imbalance, which can lead to unnecessary inflammation, pain, heaviness, and be taxing on your organs. Some people even feel the urgency to pee during their lymphatic drainage massage.
What you can do: Be aware that you may need to use the bathroom more frequently for the 24 hours after your LD massage. With frequent urination, your body needs to be replenished with more water, so increase your water consumption.
Increase in Thirst
As explained above, moving fluid out means your body will need more coming in. As your body flushes the old fluid, you will want to up your hydration to avoid unpleasant side effects (like headaches, nausea, and fatigue). Increasing your water intake helps support the kidneys in flushing and maintaining fluid balance. Continuing to drink more water will support the detoxification effects, too.
What you can do: What is half of your body weight in ounces? (Example: If you’re 150 pounds… that's 75….) Drink this many ounces of water at the very least! You’ll want to keep this baseline of water consumption for at least the next 2 days after your massage. (Your Lymph Drainage Practitioner may encourage you to adopt this as a new baseline for life, though 😉)
Fatigue
Feeling a bit tired after one of these massages is normal because your body is expending more energy during this type of bodywork to expel toxins. You may feel a little drained (pun intended) after a lymphatic drainage massage due to the increase in lymphatic activity. The good news, it’s typically temporary and is a sign that your lymphatic system needs assistance in flushing the bad stuff out.
What you can do: Take it easy. Do less. Have some lymph-supporting tea (like dandelion, ginger, turmeric, and/or lemon) and relax. Get to bed a little earlier the night after your massage.
Headaches, Bodyaches, Flu-like Symptoms, or Nausea
Sometimes clients may experience a mild headache, queasiness, chills, muscle soreness, or a fever after their lymphatic massage (usually for a day or two). This occurs from the rapid release of toxins from the body, and although alarming, it is a part of your body’s efforts to expel waste and detox. If you don’t drink enough water or immediately consume things that can burden the system, you may experience these as well.
What you can do: Some systems are more sensitive than others, so if you happen to experience this, hydrate with electrolytes, drink teas and broths, and rest. You can diffuse a little peppermint oil to help with this as well. It’s important to avoid drinking alcohol, too much caffeine, or smoking. Symptoms should subside within a few days. If they don’t, reach out to your lymph drainage therapist or healthcare provider to see what may be going on.
Emotional Release
The Lymphatic System is referred to as the river of the body in some cultures. This is because it carries many things with it — water, proteins, fats, cells, hormones, toxins, and pathogens. It’s connected to the fascia and nervous system, too. When things that have been stuck are moved, sometimes that creates a flow. If emotions or energy have been suppressed or stuck, the physical manipulation can help release this, thus triggering an emotional response.
What you can do: Sit where you can be alone to meditate and allow emotions to flow. Journaling can help. Some find that moving their body through dance, walking, or light cardio helps, too.
Skin Reactions
Temporary redness, breakouts, or soreness may occur as the massage stimulates circulation and releases built-up waste, causing toxins to surface. Any reaction shouldn’t linger more than 24 hours.
What you can do: Stay out of the sun and avoid additional heat — no saunas, hot tubs, bath tubs, or hot showers. Wash off and apply moisturizer or skin oil to rehydrate and soothe the skin. If you have one, a cold stone roller feels quite nice.
Funky Smells
As the body detoxes, you may notice you smell a bit, too. This is a sign that the body is eliminating toxins. When the body is detoxing, it pushes toxins out of the kidneys, liver, lungs, intestines, and skin. The digestive tract may also be trying to move things out, so don’t be surprised if you are a little gassy. True story — I’ve had clients who gave up heavy drinking or smoking years prior, who end up seeping these odors out of their bodies after a lymphatic drainage massage.
What you can do: Rinse off to cleanse the pores and sweat glands to let them further detox. If possible, avoid putting on anything that can plug these up for the next 24 hours — no deodorant, lotions, oils, or makeup. Get a sweat in to keep the detox going in case the body has more to flush out. Infrared Saunas are great! Meditate or practice deep breathing to help the lungs (also super good for the nervous and digestive systems). Spirulina and Chlorella supplement is a favorite go-to for me. It helps bind heavy metals in the body, supports the liver and digestion, and contains antioxidants. Bone Broth is another favorite of mine! It has anti-inflammatory properties and contains amino acids, collagen, and other minerals that enhance liver and gut function.
