14/09/2026
A few days ago I was tagged in a post of someone looking for 'lymphatic drainage massage' and it evolved into a conversation I have had many times with both clients and fellow practitioners.
Firstly: lymphatic drainage work is not technically a 'massage'. It is a style of bodywork focused on the lymphatic system, which creates a very different experience for the client than what is typically thought of as 'massage'.
Secondly - and this is something I speak about extensively - combining lymphatic drainage techniques with other bodywork modalities can both harm and heal. Lymphatic techniques can be used in conjunction with remedial, myo-fascial and acupressure techniques, however in those instances, the lymphatic drainage techniques are supporting the other modalities.
A session focused only on lymphatic drainage is great, however it is still impacted by the nervous system, and one's thoughts, emotions and beliefs about the body's ability to heal.
I think of it this way: if your car engine is running a bit rough, you can book it in for an oil change, and nothing else. Sure it may run better, but it may not be a comprehensive approach to your engine running optimally. Alternatively, you could book a car service where the oil is changed, but the rest of the engine is reviewed, flushed out, fluids topped up and different parts checked to make sure they are working individually.
Is this a perfect analogy for a how I approach lymphatic system work? No - because I am passionate about, fascinated by and trained in the human body, not car engines. It's the idea that working symbolically to improve the system that is currently overwhelmed that is important here.
All my lymphatic sessions include work with the nervous system, and your energetic body. If the nervous system is in a state of stress, it does not have the capacity to focus on healing. It is stuck in a state of survival, meaning that any work that is being done to the body will not be as effective as it could be. Your energetic body - your emotions, plus the energies you collect as you go about your day - are processed by and stored by your nervous system and your spleen. Your spleen is the largest organ of your lymphatic system, so when it is overwhelmed and stressed, your entire lymphatic system is too.
This is why my lymphatic sessions are so immediately impactful, with lasting positive changes in my clients' bodies. We move their bodies into a state of self-healing, rather than relying on the healing that happens only when they are on my massage table.
No system in the human body becomes out of balance alone, and no system in the human body heals alone.