What is a lymphatic massage? Here’s how it sculpts your body and boosts your immune system

Self-care is more important than ever. From gua sha to scalp care, we’re always looking for new ways to create moments of respite in our hectic lives. These days, more people are turning to lymphatic massages.

Beloved by celebrities, a lymphatic massage is best known for its sculpting effect. However, its benefits don’t stop there.

Keep reading, because we’ll be sharing more about lymphatic draining, how you can do it yourself, as well as the best places to visit for a professional lymphatic massage.

What is a lymphatic massage?

Lymphatic massage is a gentle technique that boosts the movement of lymphatic fluid through your body. This action helps to remove toxins and waste.

For most people, staying active is enough to keep the fluid moving naturally, but a lymphatic massage is certainly a welcome boost.

Some health conditions can cause lymph fluid to build up in the body too, such as lymphedema, which can be serious and should be treated by a doctor.

With a lymphatic massage, the strokes move towards the heart or towards the closest set of bigger lymph nodes. These are located in your armpits, groin, and behind your knees, so you’ll want to drag everything there.

The idea is to move stagnant fluid from the tissues in your body back towards the major lymph node centres where it can be processed, thereby eliminating toxins.

The benefits of a lymphatic massage

Even if you exercise regularly and eat a balanced diet, you might still feel puffy or wake up feeling bloated. This is where a lymphatic massage steps in.

Besides transporting and removing stagnant fluids in the body, it can stimulate blood circulation and speed up tissue regeneration on top of reducing swelling and water retention.

Lymphatic massage is also heralded for its sculpting properties. Combined with other treatments, it also helps to reduce the appearance of cellulite and brings body and mental relaxation, promoting an overall lightness in the body.

When done consistently and regularly, a lymphatic massage can improve your immune system as it eliminates toxins more smoothly.

If you have blood clots, kidney problems, infections, congestive heart failure, or circulation issues, however, you’ll want to steer clear of lymphatic massages. Speak with your doctor about your medical condition before trying a lymphatic massage.

How to give yourself a lymphatic massage

First, you’ll need the right tool for your lymphatic massage. There are plenty of specially designed options on the market that are contoured for easy gliding. This will help you apply the right amount of pressure to your skin.

You can give yourself a lymphatic massage using a dry brush, but using a contoured tool will help you stimulate the deepest layers of your skin.

A dry brush focuses more on topical detoxification to remove dead skin cells, while a contoured tool allows you to really go a little bit deeper to where water retention lays.

You can use a body paddle or other tools for specific areas of your body. If you can feel the muscles underneath your skin as you’re giving yourself a lymphatic massage, you’re pressing too hard.

Secondly, you’ll need a body oil like jojoba, almond, or coconut oil. You can also use a firming cream or a richer body lotion in a pinch. Make sure you’re properly oiled up so the tool can glide along easily without causing any bruises.

Hold the tool at a 45-degree angle to your skin to create a “scooping” motion, and apply light pressure as you glide it across your skin. Repeat the following strokes three to seven times each:

Step 1: Begin with gentle upward strokes from the ankle to your inner thigh. Then, do the same from the ankle to your outer thigh.

Step 2: Then, do the same movements from the back of your knee to your bum.

Step 3: Next, upward strokes on your torso, from the hips to the armpits.

Step 4: Vertical strokes from the wrist to the armpit.

Step 5: Vertical strokes from the wrist to the shoulder.

Step 6: Use downward strokes on your stomach toward your pubic bone.

20 minutes of lymphatic massage a day will make a huge difference, but even five or 10 minutes will have a noticeable impact.

Where to get a professional lymphatic massage

1. Ample Life – Aroma Recharge + Ear Candling + Lymphatic Drainage Therapy

With over 25 years of experience in the beauty service industry, the practitioners of Ample Life are here to offer you the best wellness treatments and programmes.

Try their three-in-one therapy, which starts with the application of Ample Life’s signature aroma essence oils to soothe your senses. You’ll then enjoy ear candling to remove wax and debris inside your ears.

Then, relax as your therapist performs lymphatic draining therapy to relieve stress and anxiety, all while boosting skin radiance and sharpening your focus.

Enjoy Ample Life’s Aroma Recharge + Ear Candling + Lymphatic Drainage Therapy for S$354.

Address: 103 Irrawady Road, #02-19, Singapore 238839
Opening hours: 11am – 9pm (Mon to Fri) | 10am – 7pm (Sat) | 10am – 6pm (Sun)
Contact: Call 6970 1155  or 6970 1157, or email [email protected]
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2. Heart Springs Spa – Meridian Slimming Detox

Established in 2002, Heart Springs Spa is helmed by a highly-skilled, well-trained team of professionals who are passionate about bringing you solutions that ease your tension, such as the Meridian Slimming Detox.

To help you with lymphatic drainage, the therapist will apply pressure to the lymph nodes, accelerating the excretion of toxins in the body. This way, you’ll feel lighter and more energised. It also reduces facial toxins to combat acne and promote younger-looking skin.

Address: View the full list of addresses here
Opening hours: 10am – 9.30pm (Mon to Sun)
Contact: View the full list of contact numbers here
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3. Coslab – Javanese Lymphatic Massage

You’ll always get great skincare advice at Coslab, where their team of consultants, beauticians, and masseuses will share more on the proper skincare techniques and routines that you should be following. And thanks to effective treatments and teachings, customers return time and time again.

Consider their Javanese lymphatic massage, which is based on the principles of energy flow. Enjoy the gentle pressure and slow, circular movements applied to the lymphatic system that helps remove excess toxins for a stronger immune system.

Breathe deeply to inhale the scent of soothing essentials oil for the ultimate relaxation and therapy.

Address: View the full list of outlets here
Opening hours: 10.30am – 9.30pm (Mon to Fri) | 10am – 8pm (Sat) | 10am – 7pm (Sun)
Contact: View the full list of contact numbers here
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4. Bellerina Aesthetics Manual Lymphatic Drainage Massage

Apart from offering facials, Bellerina Aesthetics has other beauty services to get you glowing, such as LED light therapy treatments, IPL hair removal, fat-freezing treatments, and of course, a lymphatic massage.

This gentle massage therapy improves the natural circulation of lymphatic fluids in your body, helping it purge toxins to improve your overall wellbeing. The treatment is only suitable for females.

Enjoy Bellerina Aesthetics’ Manual Lymphatic Drainage Massage for S$145.

Address: 175 Bencoolen Street, #01-42, Singapore 189649
Opening hours: 11am – 8.30pm (Mon to Fri) | 10am – 8.30pm (Sat & Sun)
Contact: 6884 4500
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5. Healing Touch Spa – Manual Lymphatic Drainage Massage

Since they have nine branches in Singapore, you may have seen one or two Healing Touch Spa outlets around. Established in 2001, the franchise has almost two decades of spa and wellness experience, garnering multiple local brand awards as well as an impressive group of loyal customers.

Ask for the Manual Lymphatic Drainage Massage to stimulate your lymphatic vessels and rid your body of metabolic waste, excess fluid, and bacteria. Your therapist will use a range of specialised massage movements and gentle pumping techniques to reduce water retention too.

Enjoy Healing Touch Spa’s Manual Lymphatic Drainage Massage for S$80 (60 minutes) or S$120 (90 minutes). 

Address: View the full list of outlets here
Opening hours: 11am – 10.30pm (Mon to Sun)
Contact: View the full list of contact numbers here
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6. Sin Kang TCM – Lymphatic Drainage

For over 20 years, Sin Kang TCM Clinic has offered a holistic, comprehensive range of treatments to help you improve your quality of life. One such treatment is their Lymphatic Drainage, a therapeutic massage that’s both low-pressure and painless.

Rhythmic strokes are used to regulate fluid, and eliminate waste and toxins, which play a part in your body’s metabolism. The TCM equivalent for the lymphatic system is San Jiao, an important passageway for the movement of qi, heat, and fluid throughout the body.

Book the Sin Kang TCM Lymphatic Drainage here.

Address: View the full list of outlets here
Opening hours: 10am – 9pm (Mon to Sun)
Contact: View the full list of contact numbers here
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7. Syoujin – Lymphatic Drainage Massage

Combining excellent customer service of Japanese culture and the knowledge of TCM, Syoujin specially crafts solutions to relax, revive, and rejuvenate your mind, body, and soul.

The Lymphatic Drainage Massage covers areas where lymph nodes are congregated, including the neck, armpit, chest, abdomen, and groin. Swollen lymph nodes will feel like soft, round bumps, and may be the size of a pea or a grape.

If the passage is congested, the bumps can feel painful, so it’s important to let your therapist know if it hurts during the massage.

Enjoy Syoujin’s Lymphatic Drainage Massage for S$84 (first trial, 60 minutes). The usual price is S$168.

Address: View the full list of outlets here
Opening hours: 10am – 9pm (Mon to Sun)
Contact: View the full list of contact numbers here
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