Written by: Dr. Bell Moody, PT, DPT As a physical therapist when I think of lymphatic draining my mind goes to "Complete Decongestive Therapy" which is the gold standard of treatment for those with lymphedema. Trained physical therapists perform this along with strict compliance of at home treatments performed by the patient. It is not an easy road for those with lymphedema. We spent a day (maybe longer than that I can't remember) in PT school learning all about lymphedema: what it is, what causes it, symptoms, treatment, etc. This lecture and lab day I learned a lot from and I feel really confident sharing the information you need to know regarding lymphatic drainage and dry brushing.
The lymphatic system is a complicated connection of drainage roadways throughout the body. The body's waste from your blood and elsewhere is filtered from its production site onto these lymphatic highways that are then processed and removed by the renal system/into your urine. Just like with our actual roadways and highways there are stoplights and toll bridges-the same goes for the lymphatic system. Think of stoplights as your lymph nodes. The nodes have to be filtering correctly for traffic to continue and operate properly. Lymphedema is a disorder of the lymphatic system that causes a back up of traffic which looks like prolonged longterm swelling through the arms and/or legs. There are many different causes of lymphedema as well as different presentations of how the disorder will appear. There can be mild cases, there can be extreme cases.
Knowing that-how the lymphatic system is set up and works and what can happen if it's not functioning properly-should we be incorporating a wellness supplement for lymphatic draining such as dry brushing?
Dry brushing is touted to provide lymphatic drainage however the research behind it is lacking. Manual lymphatic drainage MLD (sequenced gentle movements using the hands) though has strong evidence of reducing fluid volume in the limbs and is part of complete decongestive therapy. One of the main differences between MLD and dry brushing is the use of a tool + the speed. Manual lymphatic drainage is done very slowly and gently and I could see how people might perform it quickly and with larger amounts of pressure. Another consideration of dry brushing is a tool of any sort coming in contact with skin can harbor bacteria whereas using the hands can be easily cleaned with washing before and after. One of the main risks of dry brushing is skin irritation however besides that-the risks are very small and it could be a relaxing addition to your routine for exfoliation and increasing circulation.
One of the easiest ways to improve your lymphatic system health and function is through regular movement/exercise, avoiding prolonged sitting, and deep breathing daily.
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