Every time someone asks me about lymphatic drainage, it's the same story: "I've heard it's for losing weight." And my answer is always the same: lymphatic drainage isn't for losing weight, but it does something far more important. It's a therapy that works on the system we most ignore in our body, and the one that most affects our health and appearance: the lymphatic system. From our salon in Campo Real, 25 min from central Madrid.
The lymphatic system: the forgotten one
The lymphatic system is a network of vessels, nodes and organs that runs throughout the body in parallel to the circulatory system. Its job is to collect excess interstitial fluid (the fluid surrounding the cells), filter toxins and metabolic waste, transport fats absorbed in the intestine, and actively participate in the immune system.
Unlike blood, which has the heart as its pump, the lymph has no pump of its own. Its movement depends on muscle contraction, breathing and… massage. When we lead a sedentary life, lymph tends to stagnate, building up in the tissues and causing that heavy, swollen, retentive feeling so many people know.
A surprising fact: the human body has 3 times more lymph than blood. Yet in mainstream medical training, the lymphatic system gets a fraction of the time devoted to the circulatory one. It really is the most ignored system in our physiology.
What is manual lymphatic drainage (Vodder Method)?
Manual lymphatic drainage is a very specific massage technique developed in the 1930s by Dr. Emil Vodder. What sets it radically apart from any other massage is its extreme softness and rhythm: movements are slow, rhythmic, very superficial, and always follow the direction of the lymphatic vessels towards the drainage nodes.
Many people who try it for the first time are surprised: "is this it?". Yes. Precisely because the lymphatic vessels are superficial and very thin, pressing hard would crush them. The technique needs to be soft to be effective.
The four basic manoeuvres of the Vodder Method
- Stationary circles: small circles on the skin that gently stretch the tissue in the direction of the lymphatics.
- Pumping manoeuvre: a rocking movement that propels lymph towards the nodes.
- Rotational manoeuvre: for wider areas such as thighs or abdomen.
- Sweeping manoeuvre: for limbs, following the lymphatic path.
Every session always starts with the neck and cervical nodes: we have to "empty" the final destination before moving lymph from the tissues, in the same way you have to empty a glass before you can fill it again.
Who is it indicated for, and when?
A full-session protocol
What it feels like during and after
During the session, many clients fall asleep. It's deeply relaxing. Some feel slight warmth in the treated areas and, towards the end, a very characteristic lightness in the limbs.
After the session, it's normal to need to urinate more: the body is eliminating the fluids that have been mobilised. It's a sign the treatment has worked. It's also normal to feel a certain tiredness for the rest of the day (the body has done significant detox work).
Post-drainage tip: plenty of water (at least 1.5–2 litres in the following 24 hours), avoid alcohol and salt for the day, and if possible take a short walk. Walking activates the muscle pump that complements the massage.
How many sessions do I need?
For chronic fluid retention or cellulite, I recommend a cycle of 6–8 sessions twice a week, followed by monthly maintenance. For post-op recovery, we start as soon as possible (between day 3 and day 5 after surgery with medical clearance) at a higher frequency for the first 15 days.
Lymphatic drainage is a treatment whose effects are cumulative: the second session starts from a better point than the first, the third better than the second…
Important contraindications: active infections (drainage can spread them), uncompensated heart failure, active deep-vein thrombosis, active tumour processes and certain thyroid disorders. Always consult your doctor if you have any of these conditions.