The benefits of lymphatic massage, featuring Sara Peters of Ginkgo Massage Therapy
Massage is more than a luxury, it's a great tool to have in your wellness routine.
Sara Peters has been a massage therapist for more than two years. Within that time, she has worked for two spas, worked with the University of South Carolina football and men's basketball teams, won the 2023 Free Times Best Massage Therapist, and opened up her own practice, Gingko Massage Therapy.
"For years I had a desire to work within the wellness, integrative health, and holistic world. What really kick started the drive for me was working at Rosewood Market and Deli for three and a half years," says Sara. "The strong sense of community and genuine connectedness over wellness forged my pathway to help others and keep those ties through body work."
While working in the wellness department at Rosewood, she learned the importance of the inner and outer connectedness of the human body.
"When one thing is wrong, there tends to be something else underlying which is the culprit. With that knowledge, I have strive to carry it over to my practice in order to find the root of the problem, and help clients truly feel and reap the benefits of restoration and relaxation through massage."
Below, we talk with Sara about the lymphatic system and benefits of lymphatic massage.
Q. What is the lymphatic system?
A. To put it simply, the lymphatic system is a network of organs, vessels, and tissues right below the skin that work together to move fluid, called lymph (tissue), back into your circulatory system (your bloodstream).
This system plays a vital role in protecting your immune system from infection. It also helps maintain normal fluid levels in your body.
The human body is made up of a very complex system of lymphatic vessels where fluid (lymph) flows all over the body. Lymph nodes (organs) are bean shaped glands scattered through the body at specific areas along the vessels which monitor and cleanse the lymph. Some familiar lymph nodes are those located on either side of your neck, which get noticeably swollen when a person is sick.
Q. How does lymphatic massage help?
A. Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) incorporates gentle massage techniques to help move lymph fluid to an area of working lymph vessels. This is needed when there is some type of disruption to one's lymphatic system's process (becoming sick, allergies, surgery, breast cancer, etc.), and fluid collects in an area of the body, which can lead to swelling (edema).
The sequence of a lymphatic massage often depends on why a client is seeking the massage, but it will always involve the stimulation (light compressions) of the main lymph nodes and affected nodes, light and rhythmic massage strokes, and followed by clearing of the nodes (more light compressions).
Q. How does lymphatic massage differ from other massages?
A. The pressure is much lighter than, say, a Swedish or deep tissue massage and tends to be more rhythmic and repetitive.
Specifically, for my Lymphatic Reset Massage, it is a two hour, head to toe massage. I start and end with breathwork for the service, incorporate dry brushing, gua sha facial massage, abdominal massage, and light, passive stretching.
Due to the rhythmic and repetitive nature of the lymphatic massage, clients tend to doze off. My goal for clients, no matter the issue they're seeking it for, is to feel lighter from the natural detoxification the body will go through, decreased swelling, and relaxed.
Q. What are other good-for-you things you can do to support the lymphatic system?
A. The number one thing I tell clients on how to maintain a healthy lymphatic system: incorporate some form of movement into your daily life. Whether it's a five minute walk or jumping up and down a few times when you wake up in the morning. The lymphatic system loves movement in the body because it helps stimulate circulation.
It's also important to stay hydrated for lymph to easily move through the body. Lastly, receiving lymphatic massages, whether it's for the whole body, targeted lymphatic massages, or practicing self lymphatic massages at home, is a good practice to put into a self care routine.
Ready to get your lymphatic system going? Book a Lymphatic Reset with Sara.