Before diving into the term, we feel it is important to discuss and present the Lymphatic System, and its role and structure in the body. The lymphatic system is part of the body’s immune system, dealing with pathologies and inflammatory processes (Randolph et al., 2017, Schwager and Detmar, 2019). In simple terms, the lymphatic system contains within it cells who help fight off infections, while also help with liquid distribution across the body to help reduce inflammatory oedema. The system is slow flowing, with an estimate flow that is 100 – 500 times slower than blood flow (Swartz, 2001).
The structure of the system is important to understand the process of Lymphatic Drainage, which is what brought you here: Lymph is formed in the lymphatic capillaries, moves on to the collecting vessels, which go through at least one lymph nodes before moving on to the lymph trunks, which drain to the ducts and joins the blood stream (Swartz, 2001). The system is set to move in one direction, from the extremity of the body back into the center and towards the heart.
Issues with the system begin when a blockage occurs along the route.
This blockages can occur from a number of reasons which include:
- restricted blood flow,
- illness, injury,
- overexposure to chemicals (i.e. drugs, environmental or work chemicals),
- lack of exercise,
- food allergies, tight clothing and stress (Vairo et al., 2009).
Why was this important to map out? We believe that if you understand the system, you understand what is being done, and what treatment you require. We are going to lay out a few techniques that can be used to achieve Lymphatic Drainage, explain their mechanism of work, and what to expect from them.
All we ask, is that you bare in mind the lymphatic system is “passive”. As there is no single organ pushing it through the stations, which is why the flow is slow, and the possible causes for blockages to occur.
Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD)
According to Vairo et al. (2009), there are 4 principles for the theory of this technique: 1. Increasing lymph circulation to stimulate the lymphatic system; 2. Speed up the process of waste removal from the body; 3. Help with fluid flow and there by reduce swelling; 4. Reduce stress in the body and allow the switch between sympathetic (fight/flight/freeze) to parasympathetic (rest/digest) nervous system.
According to the MLD Ireland website, the treatment is light touch therapy, that follows the neck, trunk and the affected limb in that order. So when getting it done, pain should not be part of it, and neither should extreme pressure.
Research about the effects of MLD compared to other modalities is varying in results and lacking in variety. A paper by Yıldırım Bulut and Çinar Özdemir (2025) compared MLD with connective tissue massage for headaches, and while both helped achieve a better quality of life, the connective tissue group had better results with pain and disability reduction. Looking into older publications, a paper by Happe et al. (2016) found the MLD was more effective than traditional massage for migraines treatment, and Ekici et al. (2009) concluded that MLD is superior to connective tissue massage for fibromyalgia patients. There is lack of comparison studies between MLD and other modalities for the same conditions, and so it is hard to give an educated conclusion about its effectiveness. Our advise to you is to try and see how you feel about it. MLD might be exactly what you need, but there could be other, better alternatives.
Physical Activity
As mentioned earlier, restricted blood flow and lack of exercise can cause blockages in the lymphatic system. That means that adding exercise to your daily routine and improving your blood flow will help reduce the chances for blockages in the system. While also creating a renewed flow which in term can help break down existing blockages.
Besides the benefits to your lymphatic system, you will also enjoy a variety of positive effects: better memory, enhanced processing speed, less depression, decreased risk of cognitive decline, attentiveness, weight control, reduce diabetes affects, change in cholesterol composition, blood pressure reduction, cardiovascular improvement, improved bone density and many more! (Pujari, 2024, Liang et al., 2021, Vasundhara Singh Hooda et al., 2024, Ribeiro, Andrade and Nunes, 2021). We think, this is by far the best course of action for all pathologies. Lymphatic Drainage is no different, while receiving treatment is great, exercising must be incorporated.
Taping
Kinesiology taping is a controversial discussion. While some believe it is not a useful modality, but failing to provide sources, science have found many benefits to it, including assistance with lymphatic drainage. The taping application for lymphatic drainage is unique, the tape is not applied as one singular piece, but rather made into smaller stripes that follow a parallel route. This application helps create an area with varying height levels, lifting the skin slightly allowing for an increased space between the skin and the inner tissues, which promotes better flow of blood and lymph (Taradaj et al., 2014).
In a study performed by Selcuk Yilmaz and Ayhan (2022), they compared MLD with taping and and low-level laser therapy (which will not be covered in this post), on patients with stage 2 lymphoedema relating to breast cancer. They have found that the taping was superior to the MLD in its effect on the lymphoedema. MLD was helpful, but the taping was better.
Looking at knee replacements Guney-Deniz et al. (2022) compared MLD with taping, and concluded that they are both effective ways to treat oedema after surgery, with no difference between them. Still in the domain of knee replacements, Sobiech et al. (2022) found similar results, providing another layer of proof of the effectiveness of taping for lymphatic drainage.
Medical Acupuncture (MA)
MA can be applied for a variety of conditions, including lymphatic drainage. Keeping in mind that blockages in the lymphatic system can occur from restricted blood flow and injuries, treating those will in turn help reduce the current inflammation and assist with the lymphatic drainage.
As you may know, and if you don’t, let this be a reminder, we are an expert clinic specializing in Medical Acupuncture among other therapies. Using different methods of MA to provide you with best outcomes, according to your needs, is what we do best. From the science perspective, and specifically looking at lymphatic drainage, a meta-analysis by Zhang et al. (2019) have shown great results of MA with reducing breast cancer related lymphoedema.
Massage Therapy
While not exactly MLD, massage can also help with lymphatic drainage thanks to its blood flow enhancing properties (Mori et al., 2004), as mentioned, one of the causes is restricted blood flow. Massage can also help with injury recovery, and as we mentioned, injury can cause lymphatic blockage.
Another important aspect of massage is the relaxation process that is usually accompanied with it (Harris and Richards, 2010).
Reducing stress will also assist with lymphatic drainage, as stress is one of the potential causes for blockage.
Bottom Line
Lymphatic Drainage can be achieved in many ways, and can be caused due to various reasons. Going to a Manual Lymphatic Drainage treatment is one way of doing it, but certainly not the only way. It is trendy, but don’t let the trend blind you from all the potential options you have.
As we have shown, exercise, taping, medical acupuncture and massage therapy are great options for a lymphatic drainage, and those can provide extra benefits to your body.
At the end of the day, you choose what is working for you, and what you want to do and try. We only hope to have shown you that there are a few options available to achieve Lymphatic Drainage.
Not sure which option might suit you best? To find answers book your Free Consultation call today, and we will discuss with you what would be the best option for you!
Content Last Reviewed & Updated on September 2025 – All statistics, references, and therapy recommendations have been reviewed to ensure current best practices.
References
References
Ekici, G., Bakar, Y., Akbayrak, T. and Yuksel, I. (2009). Comparison of Manual Lymph Drainage Therapy and Connective Tissue Massage in Women With Fibromyalgia: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 32(2), pp.127–133. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmpt.2008.12.001.
Guney-Deniz, H., Kinikli, G.I., Aykar, S., Sevinc, C., Caglar, O., Atilla, B. and Yuksel, I. (2022). Manual lymphatic drainage and Kinesio taping applications reduce early-stage lower extremity edema and pain following total knee arthroplasty. Physiotherapy Theory and Practice, 39(8), pp.1–9. doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/09593985.2022.2044422.
Happe, S., Peikert, A., Siegert, R. and Evers, S. (2016). The efficacy of lymphatic drainage and traditional massage in the prophylaxis of migraine: a randomized, controlled parallel group study. Neurological Sciences: Official Journal of the Italian Neurological Society and of the Italian Society of Clinical Neurophysiology, 37(10), pp.1627–1632. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s10072-016-2645-3.
Harris, M. and Richards, K.C. (2010). The physiological and psychological effects of slow-stroke back massage and hand massage on relaxation in older people. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 19(7-8), pp.917–926. doi:https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2702.2009.03165.x.
Liang, M., Pan, Y., Zhong, T., Zeng, Y. and Cheng, A. S.K. (2021). Effects of aerobic, resistance, and combined exercise on metabolic syndrome parameters and cardiovascular risk factors: a systematic review and network meta-analysis. Reviews in Cardiovascular Medicine, 22(4), p.1523. doi:https://doi.org/10.31083/j.rcm2204156.
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Sobiech, M., Czępińska, A., Zieliński, G., Zawadka, M. and Gawda, P. (2022). Does Application of Lymphatic Drainage with Kinesiology Taping Have Any Effect on the Extent of Edema and Range of Motion in Early Postoperative Recovery following Primary Endoprosthetics of the Knee Joint? Journal of Clinical Medicine, 11(12), p.3456. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm11123456.
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