Why this A-list ‘beauty’ treatment could boost your immunity in winter

This year’s buzzwords among the A-listers looking for a healthy glow are lymphatic drainage. Sounds grim but it’s the most sought-after massage of the year – and Olivia Petter finds it can fight colds and infection as well as reduce bloating and dull skin

Jennifer Aniston is known to be a fan of the procedure (Getty)

Nobody jumps for joy in January. With dropping temperatures, winter colds and a gaping, Christmas-shaped hole in our bank accounts, it is the worst month of the year for our mental, physical and spiritual wellbeing.

Hence why we do everything we can to change that. Cutting out booze. Trying out veganism. Signing up to that fancy new gym with the special offer. But one thing you don’t tend to find on that list is working on your lymphatic system. In fact, most people might not even know what that is (I certainly didn’t), which is a grave shame. Because improving your lymphatic system could be the key to cracking all those January resolutions – boosting your sleep, gut health, immunity, and so much more.

Organs that make up the lymphatic system include the tonsils, the spleen and the liver, and it “is a network of delicate tubes across the body,” explains traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner and founder of 001 Skincare, Ada Ooi, whose A-list clients include Rooney Mara, Emma Mackey, and Ellie Goulding.

“It drains lymph fluid that has leaked from blood vessels into tissues, then empties it back into the bloodstream through the lymph nodes,” explains Ooi. “By doing this it facilitates healthy immune cells in the gut, and prompts the removal of waste products, toxins, and excess fluid which prevents excessive inflammation, and promotes a diverse and balanced microbial ecosystem.” It’s also responsible for regulating our metabolism and managing fluid levels in the body.

Lymphatic drainage can help the body flush out its toxins more effectively (Getty)

Lymphatic drainage massages are becoming a hugely popular treatment among celebrities, with fans including Jennifer Aniston, Kim Kardashian and Gwyneth Paltrow. The treatment is similar to a regular massage except for the movements used by the therapist, which are usually a mix of physiotherapeutic manoeuvres and strokes designed to get rid of any blocks in your lymphatic system. Often, it leads to instant results whereby clients feel lighter and even appear slimmer because of the way the massage eliminates water retention. It’s not hard to see the appeal.

But there is a much greater benefit than reducing a puffy body or face. Real problems can occur when lymphatic fluid builds up, which happens when the lymph nodes are blocked and can be due to a range of issues from infection and inflammation to cancer or lack of movement. “When this happens the lymphatic fluid builds up which causes swelling,” adds Ooi. This can result in bloating, water retention, facial contour sagging or puffing, indigestion, lethargy, and – worst of all – a dreaded winter cold. Essentially, everything that is likely to exacerbate your January blues.

One of the lymphatic system’s key roles is to defend the body against infections. In other words, it’s vital to keep it in tip-top shape if you want to avoid catching anything nasty as the temperatures continue to decline.

One study published in the Journal of Physical Therapy Science in 2017 found that lymphatic drainage was hugely beneficial to menopausal women, with many reporting feeling a boost in overall wellness in addition to stress reduction and feeling physically lighter.

“Lymphatic drainage massage, whether it’s performed on the body or the face, promotes overall detoxification, improving circulation and oxygenation,” explains Ooi. “As we enhance the effect of lymphatic drainage with further techniques like gua sha and cupping as taken from Chinese medicine, we are able to speed up the drainage and metabolic cycle, create visible results to reduce puffiness, direct new blood to the skin, and even the complexion.”

All this is likely to boast a huge amount of benefits to our mental wellbeing. “While there aren’t extensive studies on the direct link between the lymphatic system and our mood, the system’s role in immune health can directly influence how we feel,” explains Flavia Morellato, the much sought-after Brazilian physiotherapist whose clients include Selena Gomez, Miranda Kerr and Victoria Beckham. “A healthy immune system is also associated with reduced inflammation, which has been linked to mood disorders.”

Morellato’s method is an evolution from the leading expert on manual lymph drainage, Dr Emil Vodder, the Danish physician who, in the early 20th century, founded the medical practice that he termed “lymphology” after treating patients in hospitals in Paris with chronic colds and noticing their swollen lymph nodes. He noticed that if he applied pressure to the nodes, it would help decongest them and heal their colds.

This is because the lymphatic system releases lymphocytes (a type of white blood cells), while lymphatic organs are the sites of B and T cell maturation, which are both vital processes given B cells create antibodies while T cells fight infected and diseased cells.

Lymphatic drainage massage isn’t always comfortable, nor is it meant to be (Getty)

The current technique of lymphatic drainage massage, which has won over the A-list crowd, is based on Dr Vodder’s practice and involves a gentle massage that is often firmer around the stomach area in order to stimulate the lymph glands there which promotes the lymph flow back to the blood circulation. This also helps prevent further blockages while also flushing out any excess water.

Given the hype, it would be easy to turn your nose up at lymphatic drainage as yet another overpriced celebrity wellness trend, but trying out one of Morellato’s massages, I discovered it’s very different from other massage treatments.

The room, for example, is a little more clinical, reminding you that you’re not here to relax, you’re here to drain. And drain you will: after 55 minutes of careful pressing, pushing, and manipulating the fatty parts of my body (stomach and thighs), I was told that I had water retention in my legs and stomach – the most common parts of the body to hold water.

It’s not the most comfortable experience. In order to get rid of toxins, you have to push down on certain areas of the body quite hard, including fairly near the groin. But afterwards I felt lighter and more energised. Heading to the gym afterward I had one of the best, most productive sessions I’ve ever had, particularly by January’s standards.

As the prices are quite high – Morellato’s massages start at £150 for 45 minutes, for example – but there are other ways to boost your lymphatic system yourself. “To keep the lymphatic system working at its best, I recommend regular exercise, staying hydrated, eating a healthy diet, avoiding complex carbohydrates, refined sugar, and alcohol, practising deep breathing exercises, and avoiding excessively tight clothing,” suggests Morellato.

Another at-home technique is dry body brushing – you can buy these online – which is best to use right after a shower. “Dry-brushing in gentle strokes towards the heart can help with not only skin conditions but also improve circulation,” adds Ooi. Stress management is also key. “Chronic stress can impact the lymphatic system, so taking time to breathe deeply is a good place to start.”

There are also plenty of foods you can eat to naturally boost and flush your lymphatic system functions, clearing it of any toxins. Dark leafy vegetables, such as kale and broccoli, are best, as are citrus fruits, ginger, and garlic. Consuming these foods on a regular basis will provide a natural boost to your lymphatic system.

And maybe the saying “healthy glow” is down to the fact that one-third of the lymphatic nodes are placed around the face and neck area. “The lymphatic system impacts skin health by aiding in detoxification and fluid balance,” says Morellato. “Poor lymphatic drainage can lead to skin issues like dullness, puffiness, and breakouts.” Sometimes called buccal massage, whereby a therapist massages the inside of your cheek, this treatment can help reduce tension in muscles in and around the face, resulting in a reduction in overall puffiness.

So now you know – there is a secret to staving off the January blues and taking out the puff while you do it.

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