Why fluid builds up
The lymphatic system collects excess fluid from the tissues and returns it to the circulation. Unlike blood, lymph has no heart to pump it. It relies on muscle movement, breathing and gravity. So when we sit or stand still for hours, the fluid moves more slowly, and it tends to collect in the lower legs and ankles.
Common situations where people notice it:
- Long days sitting or standing, at a desk, in a shop or in a hospital
- After a flight or long car journey, when the ankles feel tight in the shoes
- Hot weather, when the legs feel heavier and fuller
- After cosmetic or medical procedures, with your doctor’s approval
- A general feeling of heaviness, bloating or puffiness, for example in the face in the morning
How lymphatic drainage can help
- Reduces swelling and fluid retention, so legs and ankles feel lighter
- Eases the feeling of heaviness and bloating
- Supports recovery after procedures or injuries, when approved by your doctor
- Calms the nervous system, as the session is slow, quiet and relaxing
What a session looks like
Lymphatic drainage massage is very different from a sport massage. There is no deep pressure and none of the sport techniques. I use slow, light, precise movements that follow the direction of lymph flow and encourage the fluid to move on from the areas where it has collected. The session lasts 60 minutes and costs 60 €.
Before we start, I ask where you notice the swelling, how long it has been there and whether you have any health conditions. That helps me plan the session and see whether lymphatic drainage is right for you at all.
After the session
Drink water, take a short walk and avoid sitting still for hours straight away. Between sessions, small things help: move your ankles while sitting, take breaks on long flights, and put your legs up in the evening. If your legs also feel heavy because of a desk job, read more about massage for office workers.
When to see a doctor first
Swelling is not always harmless. Please do not book a massage and see a doctor first if you have:
- sudden swelling, pain, warmth or redness in one leg, especially after a flight, surgery or illness, as this can be a sign of a blood clot
- an acute infection, fever or inflamed skin
- heart or kidney problems, or swelling that you have been told is related to them
- active cancer treatment
In these situations lymphatic drainage is only possible with your doctor’s approval. If your doctor agrees, let me know when you book.