The Benefits of Lymphatic Drainage

By Guest Blogger: Dr. Anthony

Dugarte

Though it may sound like a mythical creature, lymph is a vital component of many bodily functions. When this system gets backed-up, a variety of undesirable effects are likely to result. Keeping this system running smoothly can be associated with many health benefits. Read below to learn more.

What Is Lymph?

Lymph is derived from the Latin word for water, lympha. It consists of interstitial fluid (the fluid between cells), as well as waste products, bacteria, fats, proteins, peptides, and other macromolecules.1

Lymph flows through the lymphatic system, a network of vessels that are interconnected by lymph nodes - tiny, bean-shaped filters. Flow occurs in one direction with the final destination being the venous blood.

The main purpose of this system is to maintain fluid balance. However, it also plays a role in delivering important molecules back to circulation, the destruction of bacteria within lymph nodes, and the removal of waste.

What Happens When The Lymphatic System Goes Awry?

When the lymphatic system is dysfunctional, bad things happen. Like a clogged drain, hindered removal causes lymph to become backed-up. When the lymphatic system is overwhelmed, lymphedema (abnormal tissue swelling) results. Cancer related treatment is the most common cause of lymphedema in developed countries, whereas parasitic infection is common elsewhere.2

Typically irreversible, lymphedema causes substantial swelling, and if not properly managed, it can result in the hardening of skin and underlying structures.3 There is also an increased risk for infection, inflammation, ulceration, and other aches and pains that can reduce the quality of life considerably.4

The Importance of Proper Flow.

As the lymphatic system is intrinsically linked to to fluid balance, waste removal, and immune health, the potential benefits when properly functioning can be as diverse as its role. When running smoothly, no effort is required for its maintenance. If the lymphatic system is dysfunctional, however, there are available steps to help manage and minimize the associated morbidities.

Restoring Flow.

As lymphedema is commonly linked to cancer and parasitic infection, scientific support regarding the benefits of lymphatic drainage is well documented in these populations.2 If you feel your lymphatic system isn’t functioning correctly, seek the advice of a healthcare professional.

Basic Self-Care

Basic self-care includes: frequent cleansing with soap and water and thorough drying, limb elevation while at rest, range of motion exercises, and daily examination of skin integrity.2 These practices reduce lymphedema stage, limb circumference, and the duration and frequency of infection.2

Home Exercise Programming

These programs often include deep breathing, resistance exercise, walking, and yoga. Support is also well documented, particularly in cancer related lymphedema.2

Self-Lymphatic Drainage (SLD)

Manual massage can serve to gently promote lymphatic flow. Often used in conjunction with compression garments, adding SLD may be more beneficial than compression alone.2,5

Compression Garments

Compression garments are snug-fitting sleeves that aid in circulation. Compression reduces pooling and promotes lymphatic flow. Again, benefits have been demonstrated in a cancer related lymphedema.2

What About Lymphatic Drainage in Healthier Populations?

As little is required for lymphatic health when dysfunction is not present, there is not much scientific literature examining the effects of lymphatic drainage in healthy populations.

Adequate water intake, daily exercise, healthy eating, and stress reduction are often recommended, though scientific support to back these claims is scarce.

There may be a role for SLD in rehabilitation settings after treadmill exercise, in acute ankle sprains, and in forearm fractures, though more work is needed to truly characterize the potential benefits.6-8

Plant based detoxes may also benefit the lymphatic system. Incorporating red foods like pomegranates, cherries, cranberries, and beets, as well as other raw fruits and vegetables, may keep lymph flowing freely through their effects on the digestive tract, though more studies are needed to delineate this relationship .9,10

The Take Home Message

The lymphatic system is vital for fluid balance, waste removal and immune health. Dysfunction can lead to lymphedema and considerable morbidity. Basic self-care, light exercise, and SLD are beneficial to lymphatic drainage, though these findings have been examined in lymphedema related to cancer and parasitic infection. Vegan diets and plant based detoxes may positively affect lymphatic health, but more research is needed to clarify the benefits of these interventions in healthy populations.

References

1. Gwendalyn J. Randolph, Stoyan Ivanov, Bernd H. Zinselmeyer, Joshua P. Scallan. The Lymphatic System: Integral Roles in Immunity Annu Rev Immunol. Author manuscript; available in PMC 2017 Aug 10. Published in final edited form as: Annu Rev Immunol. 2017 Apr 26; 35: 31–52. Published online 2016 Nov 14. Doi: 10.1146/annurev-immunol-041015-055354

2. Douglass J, Graves P, Gordon S. Self-Care for Management of Secondary Lymphedema: A Systematic Review. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2016;10(6):e0004740. Published 2016 Jun 8. doi:10.1371/journal.pntd.0004740

3. International Society of Lymphology. The diagnosis and treatment of peripheral lymphedema: 2009 Consensus Document of the International Society of Lymphology. Lymphology. 2009;42(2):51–60.

4. Grada A.A., Phillips T.J. Lymphedema: Pathophysiology and clinical manifestations. (2017) Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 77 (6) , pp. 1009-1020.

5. Ezzo J, Manheimer E, Margaret L McNeely ML, et al. Manual lymphatic drainage for lymphedema following breast cancer treatment. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. Author manuscript; available in PMC 2016 Jul 29. Published in final edited form as: Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015; (5): CD003475. Published online 2015 May 21. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD003475.pub2

6. Andy Schillinger, Daniel Koenig, Christian Haefele, et al. Effect of manual lymph drainage on the course of serum levels of muscle enzymes after treadmill exercise. Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2006 Jun; 85(6): 516–520. Doi 10.1097/01.phm.0000219245.19538.ed

7. Härén K, Backman C, Wiberg M. Effect of manual lymph drainage as described by Vodder on œdema of the hand after fracture of the distal radius: A prospective clinical study. Scand J Plast Reconstr Surg Hand Surg. 2000;34:367–372

8. Eisenhart AW, Gaeta TJ, Yens DP. Osteopathic manipulative treatment in the emergency department for patients with acute ankle sprains. J Am Osteopath Assoc. 2003;103:417–421.

About Anthony Dugarte, M.D., C.S.C.S

Dr. Anthony Dugarte has enjoyed success in academics, as well as collegiate sports. He accepted a full athletic scholarship to attend Kent State University and graduated, Cum Laude, with a B.S. in Exercise Physiology. While at Kent, Dr. Dugarte was a member of the Golden Flash Football Team and earned Academic All-American Honors as a defensive lineman.

Prior to continuing his education, Dr. Dugarte worked as an Exercise Physiologist in an outpatient physical therapy. During this time, he became a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist and now boasts over 10 years’ experience in the field.

A 2016 graduate, Dr. Dugarte obtained his medical training at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. Most recently, Dr. Dugarte completed a postgraduate Research Fellowship in Orthopaedic Trauma at Regions Hospital in St. Paul, Minnesota. While a fellow, he garnered invaluable experience in virtually every aspect of the research process. While he plans to continue his training in Orthopaedic Surgery, Dr. Dugarte is passionate about sharing the knowledge he has acquired through creative and technical writing.