I was so fortunate to be trained by one of the teachers who learned directly from Emil and Estrid Vodder, the founders of the Vodder method of Manual Lymphatic drainage, which is a unique method developed in France in the 1930s.

I’ll never forget when I first met my teacher, who in her 60s and with her strong French accent, told me, “Lymph has memory and when you have a sluggish Lymph system or oedema (swelling), you can teach the lymph to flow properly again.” She said, “You need to feel the water under the skin and you move it like the ocean.”

At first, I thought this was very strange. But once I understood and saw how powerful lymphatic drainage was, especially when I was working on patients who had surgery or cancer, insomnia, acne, etc., I knew that I found the Holy Grail. I am continually grateful to have been taught by such an incredible woman.

So, what is the Lymphatic system?

The Lymph system is a circulatory system of your immune system. The Lymphatic system consists of a fluid called Lymph; following within lymphatic vessels and a number of structures that contain lymphatic tissue (e.g., tonsils, spleen, etc.) which is the site of Lymphocyte production. Lymph nodes are located along the lymphatic vessels. These nodes contain lymphocytes, i.e. a type of white blood cell.

Basically, it's a complex network of vessels and nodes that moves like an ocean through your body. The Lymph system absorbs excess fluid with waste and bacteria and moves it to your lymph nodes. The lymphocytes filter the impurities and the lymph vessel brings it back to the bloodstream.

So you can see the stagnation of the waste products, including viruses, bacteria, and large protein molecules can lead to oedemas and tissue deterioration.

What is the benefit of Lymphatic drainage massage?

It detoxes tissues, eliminates waste, helps to regenerate cells, and improves the hydration in the skin. There is no “heart pump” to move lymph; instead, it is dependent on the muscle contractions to move it or gravity to help move it along, which takes place when you move your body. It is a one-way circulatory system. With lymphatic drainage, we are moving lymph fluid through the vessels to speed up lymph circulation. Like my teacher used to say, “Feel the fluids under the skin. Pump it like the ocean…”

Why do I look puffy or feel congested in the mornings?

Because your lymph is moving by natural muscle pressure and gravity, but at night it slows down.

How can I improve Lymphatic circulation?

By Lymphatic drainage, exercise, aromatherapy, and skin brushing.

Lymphatic strokes are gentle, light, rhythmic, slow, intentional, and nurturing. Use the palm of the hands to do a light pumping movement. Understanding the lymphatic map of the body will help you to know which direction to massage. You can book a consultation to have a 1-on-1 session with me and receive a follow-up video to watch.

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