Article
What is a Lymphatic Massage? | Lymphatic Drainage Massage
What is a Lymphatic Massage? | Lymphatic Drainage Massage
What Is a Lymphatic Massage?
Massage is a therapeutic practice that dates to 3,000 B.C.E. There are numerous reasons people choose massage therapy, from relieving muscle tension and aiding post-workout recovery to easing stress and curbing anxiety. If you’re dealing with inflammation, lymphatic drainage massage is one modality worth exploring.
If this technique is new to you, you might have questions about its benefits and what you should know before booking a session at the WorldSprings Spa. This guide outlines how lymphatic drainage massage works, how you can prepare for a session, and how to take care of yourself afterwards to see the best results.
How Does Lymphatic Massage Work?
Lymphatic System 101
Knowing more about the lymphatic system is essential to understanding lymphatic massage. The lymphatic system is part of the immune system and includes lymphatic vessels, lymph nodes, thymus, spleen, and mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue.
Think of these vessels, organs, and tissues as open corridors through which the watery substance lymph flows. Lymph acts as a delivery system, transporting protein and nutrients to cells and tissue. The lymphatic system filters waste and abnormal cells out of the lymph fluid before they flow back into the bloodstream.
Purpose of Lymphatic Drainage Massage
The lymphatic system works like a fine-tuned machine, but it can still experience performance issues. Infection, genetic defects, scar tissue, tumors, cancer, and related treatments are issues that could disrupt lymph flow. Instead of reaching the intended destination, the fluid settles in the extremities, neck, genitals, or abdomen. The pooling fluid causes swelling in the affected areas.
Lymphatic drainage massage redirects the fluid back to its intended course. Massage practitioners use gentle pressure to massage non-swollen areas, creating open channels for lymph to drain through.
Lymphatic Drainage Massage Benefits
Alleviates Rheumatoid Arthritis Pain
Rheumatoid arthritis causes joint inflammation. The associated swelling and pain can affect quality of life. Lymphatic drainage massage helps lymph drain away from joints to ease swelling and discomfort.
Aids in Post-Surgery Care
An operation can remove lymph nodes or damage them as a side effect of treatment. Lymph collects in other areas as a result. Lymphatic drainage massage decongests these areas to minimize post-procedure swelling.
Promotes Calmness
Lymphatic drainage massage can help you de-stress when paired with mindfulness techniques and a healthy sleep routine. Beyond moving lymph, the massage also gets blood flowing. Improved circulation can combat stress, and the gentle pressure of the massage can ease tense muscles to encourage relaxation.
Boosts Immune System Function
Eating a nutrient-rich diet and practicing good hygiene are two effective ways to fight off common infections. Add lymphatic drainage massage to the list. It is an excellent preemptive measure to avoid feeling under the weather. The massage stimulates toxin removal and lymph flow. The fluid carries immune cells to different areas to ward off infection.
How to Prepare for a Session
Remain Hydrated
Drinking plenty of water in the day leading up to the session will encourage lymph flow and urination to help rid your body of toxins. Remember to head to the restroom to empty your bladder before the session begins.
Skip Your Skincare Routine
We all have our daily rituals, but you should make a few adjustments before a lymphatic drainage massage. To start, skip putting on your go-to lotions. The products cause skin to become slippery, so your massage therapist won’t be able to manipulate the skin effectively. This could limit the impact of the massage.
Avoid Heavy Meals
While it’s important to be well-hydrated during a lymphatic drainage massage, you don’t want to be full from a large meal. Eating something heavy beforehand can leave you feeling bloated and uncomfortable during the treatment, which can limit its effectiveness.
Aftercare Tips
Continue drinking water after your lymphatic drainage massage to help keep fluids circulating properly. Avoid beverages that make you dehydrated quickly, like coffee and alcohol. Short, gentle exercise sessions, like a 15-minute yoga flow or walk around the block, can also facilitate the movement of lymph after a massage. Resting after a treatment is also essential for helping the body adjust and recover.
Lymphatic Drainage Massage & More at WorldSprings
Visit WorldSprings to enjoy the therapeutic benefits of massage and soaking in mineral hot springs in one location. The Spa offers lymphatic massage for detoxification and reduction of water retention while boosting energy levels. Additional spa services include LED light therapy and facials.
After pampering in The Spa, experience the mineral hot springs and enjoy the tranquil waters containing bicarbonate, magnesium, chloride, potassium, and other minerals that boost your sense of well-being. Plan your visit today, and prepare to feel like your best self.
Other posts you may like!
Sounds Baths Overview: What is a Sound Bath?
on Jan 1, 2025 | 3 minutes
A Guide to Sound Baths Slipping into a warm bath is a relaxing and restorative experience. You can let your stress and worries float away and feel the tension escape from your muscles. Embrace this calming ritual to relax both your body and mind. What Is a Sound Bath? For thousands of years, cultures worldwide have engaged in sound bathing as part of their meditative practices. The experience involves allowing sound waves from various instruments to wash over you, creating soothing vibrations to help listeners relax and feel less stressed or anxious. Sound baths include the use of traditional instruments to create the waves, including chimes, singing bowls, rattles, drums, and even voices. However, the experience isn’t music, per se, as it has no defined melody or rhythm. Instead, the practitioner creates a wash of sounds meant to encourage you to let go and release your tension without the need for your brain to connect with a specific pattern. Traditionally, sound baths create specific tones and frequencies that align with the energy centers of your body, also known as the qi (chi) or chakras. When these points become imbalanced, you can have issues throughout your body; for example, digestive issues may stem from an imbalance in that particular energy center. A sound bath with frequencies tuned to that area is believed to help restore balance and support healing by effectively resetting that center and getting energy moving correctly. Many people experience sound baths as part of another healing practice, like a yoga class. It’s common for practitioners to end their sessions with a short sound bath. However, a sound bath can also be a complete experience on its own, with participants lying in a reclined position while the soothing sounds wash over them. As you focus on your breathing and the effects of the sound, you can reach a deeper state of relaxation and contemplation and calm your anxiety. At the end of the session, the practitioner will lead you back to awareness. The Benefits of Sound Baths Sound baths are a respite from the demands of everyday life and stress, but devotees report that the effects last much longer than the one-hour “chill out” session. Although much of the evidence regarding the effects of sound baths is anecdotal, with limited scientific proof, participants often report feeling calmer and less stressed after a session. Other reported benefits of sound bathing include: Improved sleep Looser, less tense muscles Reduced pain Improved mood, including feeling happier and less stressed, angry, or anxious Feeling more connected to your body Lower blood pressure and heart rate It’s important to remember that sound baths are not a replacement for a physician’s care or any treatments you’re currently receiving. They are a supplementary or complementary option that can help you feel your best. Getting the Most From a Sound Bath At its foundation, sound bathing is a meditative practice, and to have the best, most beneficial session, you need to approach it with an open mind and spirit. Prepare yourself for an experience that may sometimes be emotional or even uncomfortable, in addition to relaxing and even euphoric. The sound vibrations may create different sensations throughout your body, or you might reach such a deep state of relaxation that you fall asleep or “zone out” completely. Any of these responses is acceptable. Your sound bath experience is yours alone, and you won’t have the same feelings and outcomes as anyone else. Other tips for getting the most from your sound bath include: Creating a sacred transition: Give yourself plenty of time to get to your session and settle in. Get yourself into the right headspace as you travel to the session by switching off your devices, listening to soothing music, and detaching yourself from your to-do list. Set an intention: Ask yourself what you need before the session to have a point of focus. It doesn’t have to be lofty or complicated, just an honest statement that captures your priority for health and healing. Hydrate: Drinking plenty of water or herbal tea throughout the day helps your body cleanse and repair itself during the session. A light snack can help you avoid distracting hunger, but stick with healthy, nourishing foods. A heavy meal right before the session can make you uncomfortable or sleepy. Sound baths are safe for almost everyone; only those with contraindications like a recent concussion or certain psychological disorders that can be exacerbated by meditation should avoid them. Are you looking for a sound bath near me? Check out WorldSprings’ event calendar for scheduled sound bath and floating sound bath experiences included complimentary in your soak visit
Read More
The Top Health Benefits of Sauna Bathing
on Jan 3, 2025 | 3 minutes
The Top Health Benefits of Sauna Bathing Many people incorporate a hot shower into their daily or evening routine. The cascading water and steam can unwind your mind and relax your body. The next time you are at a wellness destination or gym, don't wait to bathe until you get home—take advantage of the onsite sauna benefits. Sauna bathing is one of WorldSprings’ amenities, and it’s a ritual worth exploring. Here’s what you should know about this wellness experience. How Do Saunas Work? Except for built-in benches, a sauna is an almost empty room typically made of wood. The interior is kept at a sizzling 170 degrees Fahrenheit or hotter. Although hot showers and saunas both produce steam, saunas are typically much drier. The Finnish saunas at WorldSprings disperse dry heat. Hot stones, electric heaters, infrared lights, and wood-burning stoves are common sources of dry heat in saunas. Water poured over hot stones creates a steamy environment, but otherwise, the humidity is kept low, specifically between 10% and 20%. The lack of moisture in a Finnish sauna can make the heat feel even more intense. These temperatures are considered extreme for the body, so people with certain medical conditions, such as heart issues or diabetes, should consult a doctor first. They might be advised to limit their time in the heat and follow a cooling-down process afterward. Individuals who have difficulty regulating body temperature might also be advised to limit or avoid sauna bathing. Sitting in a sauna will make you sweat, which can cause dehydration. To remain hydrated, drink at least one glass of water beforehand and avoid consuming alcohol, which contributes to dehydration and could make you feel overheated. Don't eat a large meal before bathing in the sauna to avoid feeling nauseated. What Health Benefits Do Saunas Offer? Improves Cardiovascular Health Sauna bathing will make your heart happier in various ways. The heat causes the body to sweat profusely. Your body tries to regulate its temperature for relief from the heat. In doing so, the heart beats faster. The quickened pace dilates blood vessels, which helps increase circulation and lower blood pressure. Research shows that downtime in a sauna can lower the levels of LDL ("bad cholesterol") while giving HDL ("good cholesterol") levels a boost. High HDL levels do a better job of filtering out the bad cholesterol, lowering the risk of cardiovascular issues. Cardiovascular respiratory fitness levels are another factor that influences whether an individual may develop heart disease. Sauna bathing can help raise these levels, which is why you shouldn’t forgo post-workout heat therapy. Reduces Stress Sauna bathing helps keep stress hormones in check to help you feel more at ease. For instance, having less of the stress hormone cortisol in the bloodstream aids immune system function. Feeling less stressed reduces inflammation and helps maintain white blood cell count to minimize the risk of infections. Alleviates Common Respiratory Issues Sauna bathing can provide relief to individuals who have chronic lung issues. Just like heat causes blood vessels to dilate, the intense temperatures can also open tight airways to make it easier for individuals with asthma and other respiratory issues to breathe. Regular sauna-bathing sessions may even keep the common cold at bay. As mentioned, sauna bathing strengthens your immune system. Sweating helps flush toxins out of the body. Sitting in a sauna also helps break up mucus to prevent congestion that affects your lungs and nasal passages. Reduces Joint Pain Sauna bathing can help alleviate the joint pain associated with arthritis. Inflammation triggers this discomfort, as the immune system sees the tissue around the joints as a foreign invader. In response, the immune system prompts the painful swelling. A respite in a sauna can provide an immune boost and lower the risk of inflammation. Sauna bathing is a great element to add to your workout routine (or after you've mowed the lawn or participated in other strenuous chores around the house) to ease muscle tension. The heat opens blood vessels to deliver oxygenated blood straight to stressed muscles. The blood helps the tears heal faster. Experience Sauna Bathing at WorldSprings When you search online for "a sauna near me" or "spa with sauna near me," you are only a few clicks away from experiencing all that WorldSprings offers. Indulge in Finnish sauna bathing in one of the birch-lined barrels or rectangular-style enclosures. The wellness destination also boasts mineral hot springs for a relaxing soak and cold plunge pools for an invigorating, icy pick-me-up. Book your visit to WorldSprings to start your wellness journey.
Read More
How Soaking in a Hot Springs Pool Boosts Body Immunity
on Jan 6, 2025 | 5 minutes
How Soaking in a Hot Springs Pool Boosts Body Immunity Soaking in mineral hot springs is a soothing, restorative experience. But while relaxation is a major reason why springs enthusiasts keep returning for routine soaks, there are some less obvious benefits that make mineral springs ideal for whole-body wellness. Here, we explore how mineral pools can boost your body’s immunity through several key mechanisms. The importance of immunity for your health What is body immunity? The immune system is the body’s defense against pathogens, bacteria, viruses, toxins, and other potentially harmful invaders. This complex network is made up of many different components, including your organs, tissues, cells, and microbes, all of which work together to target and neutralize threats. You also have several subsets of body immunity, including: Physical barriers, such as your skin and mucosa lining The rapid-acting innate immune system The adaptive immune system, which targets specific pathogens precisely and retains memory of past infections for the future The innate immune system is your body’s way of attacking invaders indiscriminately. It’s made up of natural killer cells that act as a first line of defense. This system also triggers inflammation, an important response to injuries and infections. On the other hand, the adaptive immune system is more specialized and involves white blood cells called lymphocytes. There are several types of lymphocytes, including T-cells—which target infected cells and regulate immune response—and B-cells, which create antibodies to fight specific pathogens. Why is it important to maintain strong body immunity? Coordination between well-functioning innate and adaptive immunity ensures a robust defense against viruses, bacteria, and other illness-causing agents. At the same time, a properly functioning immune system prevents your body from going after healthy tissue through mechanisms like immune tolerance. This dynamic, multifaceted system not only protects you against illness, but also maintains your overall health. How winter affects the body’s immune system If it seems like you get sick more often or severely during the winter months, it’s not your imagination. There are multiple factors that affect immunity this time of year, including cooler weather itself. When temperatures drop, blood vessels in your skin constrict to conserve heat. This, in turn, reduces blood flow and immune cell circulation to critical areas, like your respiratory tract. Colder weather also comes with reduced humidity, which can leave your mucus membranes drier and impact their ability to trap pathogens. It then becomes easier for infections to take hold, leading to the common cold and flu. Additionally, most people tend to spend more time indoors when winter arrives. This can significantly increase your exposure to airborne viruses and bacteria, particularly in crowded areas with poor ventilation. Seasonal variations in sunlight exposure can also play a role in reduced wintertime immunity. Lower levels of sunlight may lead to a drop in the production of vitamin D, a key nutrient for immune function. This combination of environmental conditions creates the perfect storm for increased viral activity. Add seasonal stressors to the mix, and your body may become even less efficient at maintaining optimal immunity. How soaking in a hot springs pool boosts body immunity While it may not be the first reason you’re searching for “hot springs near me,” visiting WorldSprings could give your immune system an added boost. Nutrient-Rich Water Our mineral pools are loaded with immune-boosting nutrients, including: Magnesium Calcium Potassium Bicarbonate While you can certainly get some of these minerals through diet, soaking in our hot springs allows you to deliver them to your immune system through skin absorption. Soothing Heat Our mineral pools also deliver a distinct warming effect to your entire body. Heat can help strengthen your body’s immune response in a number of ways. Heat improves circulation by causing the walls of your blood vessels to relax, creating an effect known as vasodilation. When this happens, blood flow increases, delivering more oxygen and nutrients to key areas, while also supporting the removal of waste products. Increased heat also has therapeutic effects that could boost your immunity indirectly. For example, soaking in mineral hot springs reduces stiffness and discomfort in sore muscles by enhancing the delivery of oxygen-rich blood and eliminating inflammatory substances. Heat from mineral pools can promote overall body relaxation, encourage better sleep, and reduce stress, all of which support your immune system. Globally Inspired Mineral Baths & Holistic Wellness Amenities WorldSprings is home to mineral baths inspired by locations around the world, allowing guests to enjoy mind and body benefits in a serene setting. While our mineral pools are certainly a great place to start for immune support, our facilities have much more to offer. Our saunas can deliver therapeutic effects, by stimulating your body’s production of heat shock proteins, which aid in cellular repair and enhance cells’ resistance to stress. Saunas also promote vasodilation, which improves circulation and reduces inflammation. Visit WorldSprings for a true relaxation experience. Whether you prefer soaking in hot springs or the soothing heat of a sauna, you'll enjoy immune-boosting benefits and a comfortable, luxurious experience.
Read More