Lymphatic drainage in pregnancy

Edited by Doctor Eugenio Ciuccetti

Manual lymphatic drainage - or more simply lymphatic drainage - represents, especially among women, one of the most popular massage techniques in the world today.

Conceived in 1932 by the Danish doctor and biologist, Emile Vodder (pronounced Fodder), lymphatic drainage performs various beneficial functions: first of all that of helping to counteract and prevent the formation of edema and swelling in any part of the body.

It is Vodder himself who classifies edemas into three different categories; all of which can be treated even if with appropriate precautions. Pathological edemas for example - that is, those resulting from some disease, such as chronic heart or kidney failure - should never be treated during acute phase and always need a medical certificate.

The situation is different for idiopathic and non-pathological edema. The first are those whose cause is not known with certainty. Sometimes caused by heat, stress, fatigue. The latter are typical, for example, of the menstrual cycle, of cellulite, of the pill (estrogen) or of pregnancy.

In the latter case, massages should be avoided during the first, and more delicate, three months of gestation. After the third month, however, lymphatic drainage becomes the most suitable massage.

In fact, effective in stimulating the lymphatic circulation and therefore in countering the accumulation of liquids, this technique is by its nature slow, delicate and superficial, unlike other deeper massages which could, for example, cause an excessive dilation of the capillaries already fragile woman.

It should be noted that not infrequently the pregnant woman is faced with edema spread throughout the body; and that to properly treat them all together it would take about 5 hours. Too long for both the woman and the operator.

This is why, generally, one prefers to work individually one part at a time for about an "hour. Perhaps separating the lower limbs from the upper ones. It is no coincidence that lymphatic drainage is commonly defined as a" sectoral massage ".

After a month of sessions (a couple a week) we will still have worked the whole body effectively.

Before each treatment, the "execution of the so-called" neck unloading maneuvers "is essential. A series of pumpings (this is how the typical lymphatic drainage maneuvers are defined) necessary to free the so-called Terminus: a point of fundamental importance located at of the supraclavicular dimple. Here, in fact, there is an "important lymph node station; the point of arrival of all the lymphatic circulation.

Unloading, releasing the Terminus, means preventing any overload at this level and the consequent risk of swelling on the sides of the neck, difficulty in swallowing and a feeling of suffocation. The unloading maneuvers take about 20 minutes.

It is also important to remember that - if the abdomen of a pregnant woman is treated - deeper maneuvers should be avoided, such as those used otherwise to promote intestinal peritis (for example in the case of constipation). The same precaution must be observed in the event of a cycle. menstrual (especially if abundant and painful), ovarian cysts and for at least 6 months after a caesarean section.

The possible presence of tuberculosis, of acute infections (with swollen and painful lymph nodes) and that of malignant tumors, represents an absolute contraindication to the use of lymphatic drainage, in any subject.