Tag: Detox

Lymphatic Drainage: Beauty and health benefits of this detox massage

Different people like different massages. If the last two years of the pandemic have left us craving anything, it’s the need to be touched, kneaded and stroked in a soothing manner. Massage therapy – which manipulates the skin – destresses the muscles and tendons, rejuvenating soul and body. It’s being touted by aestheticians and beauty gurus as a vital addition to the complete selfcare regimen.

wellness-health-beauty-benefits-lymphatic-drainage-massage-gafencu-sense-of-touch (2)

The fitness boom dictates that every part of our body is stretched, pressed and toned. It’s often overlooked, but the lymphatic system also needs some pampering. The crème de la crème of Hollywood, celebrities, such as Hailey Bieber, Cher, Jennifer Aniston and Gwyneth Paltrow, all turn their attention to it when they are in need of some luxurious R&R. From depuffing to improving circulation, reducing cellulite, enhancing the digestive system and improving immunity, the benefits of stimulating the lymphatic drainage are many. So, what is the lymphatic system and how does massaging it result in a boost to our overall health and sense of wellbeing?

The Lowdown

wellness-health-beauty-benefits-lymphatic-drainage-massage-gafencu-sense-of-touch

The lymphatic system is a highly efficient network of organs, lymph nodes (glands), vessels and fluids that runs up and down the entire body, transporting and metabolising waste (including toxins), so you feel depuffed, energised and healthier in the process.

Its job is to constantly circulate the flow of liquid and filter the toxins that the body naturally produces. Unlike the drainage network, the lymphatic system does not have a pump to keep this process smooth – certain factors like a sedentary lifestyle, illness and medications can impair it and cause a build-up or inflammation. A sluggish lymphatic system is linked to a slower metabolism, acne, dullness, signs of pigmentation, stress-related health problems and chronic swelling. This is where a lymphatic drainage massage can help.

wellness-health-beauty-benefits-lymphatic-drainage-massage-gafencu-sense-of-touch-neck-massage-neck

A very specific massage designed to stimulate the lymph nodes and the lymphatic system, releases the fluid stuck in between cells and tissues in the body to the lymph nodes, so it can be flushed out. Combine it with cupping therapy and the gentle pressure and suction ensures pulling the skin from the deeper layers of fascia, stroking the toxins and excess fluids towards the lymph nodes for an immediate ‘wow’ effect akin to high-tech body treatments. Working in a deeper, more holistic way, a lymphatic drainage massage is excellent for those who tend to hold on to water. The beneficiary will leave the session completely energised and revitalised.

Here’s the Rub

wellness-health-beauty-benefits-lymphatic-drainage-massage-gafencu-sense-of-touch-neck-massage

If ‘no pain, no gain’ is your massage mantra, a gentle, low-pressure lymphatic massage devoid of an oil-rub, might leave you feeling cheated. Rather than targeting your muscles and stress-knots, there is a sequenced technique to the lymphatic massage. It begins with pumping the regional lymph nodes starting from the pelvic, groin, knees, ankles, armpits and the thoracic duct. Only after these are ‘emptied’ another area is massaged to take on more fluid. The theory is that our skin has many mechanoreceptors which respond to touching and pressure – when stroked in a rhythmic way, elimination of toxins (via urination) can fight breakouts and cellulite, and even assist with the formation of natural collagen.

wellness-health-beauty-benefits-lymphatic-drainage-massage-gafencu-sense-of-touch-abdomen

A look at celebrity before-and-after pictures of the lymphatic massage makes you feel the contouring benefits are wild, but let’s be clear: no weight loss happens after this kind of massage. Water retention and bloating are relieved, regular practice aids the immune and digestive system, reduces symptoms of chronic stress, acne, even pigmentation but by no means can massage give definition or make more visible abs. Much like the rest of our body, the lymphatic system needs exercise – or regular massage – to keep it unclogged. The benefits go way beyond mere vanity.

Appealing Treatments

If this has piqued your curiosity about the lymphatic drainage system and willing to give it a try, read on. You will be delighted by what the lymph and the shift of toxins can do for your body.

Gua Sha Massage

wellness-health-beauty-benefits-lymphatic-drainage-massage-gafencu-sense-of-touch-gua-sha (2)

More than 30 percent of our lymph nodes are concentrated in the head and neck area, making the gua sha massage a holistic method to work on any inflammation-related disorder and improve the complexion. Regular gua sha-aided lymphatic massages help with depuffing, improve circulation and fight the visible signs of ageing.

Buccal

The benefits of gua sha, jade rolling done with the right technique are impressive but there’s a new face massage in town – Pilates for the face. This new technique hurts a smidge but the contouring results are game-changing. It’s the secret to Meghan Markle’s gravity-defying jawline. The Buccal Facial is an elaborate lymphatic drainage massage for the facial muscles from inside out. You read that right. While there are tools to stimulate the lymphatic system from epidermis of the skin, this holistic technique enables the aesthetician working on the jawline from within the mouth. A different but very effective approach.

Dry Brushing

wellness-health-beauty-benefits-lymphatic-drainage-massage-gafencu-sense-of-touch-face-massage

This is an art. When done by a licensed professional, it promotes microcirculation, and polishes and brightens the skin by aiding lymphatic drainage. Start brushing firmly at the feet towards the heart in small, upward, circular strokes against the growth of body hair for nine to ten minutes. This technique will allow for dead cells to be peeled off, generating fresh blood and oxygen in the lymph and giving you a rejuvenated and energised glow.

 

(Text: Nikita Mishra Pictures: Sense of Touch Spa)

Beyond Beauty: Five wellness benefits of Gua Sha

It seems that Gua Sha (Guasa) is basking in long overdue spotlight as of late. It is a technique that involves tools blunt tools — commonly mineral stones, though spoons and round objects are also typical — to massage and relieve tension, ultimately boosting the blood circulation throughout the body, and often boasting the benefits of resulting in more youthful skin.

But did you know that the benefits of Gua Sha goes beyond skincare? A form of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), it is used to relieve pain and stress in the body — offering a pill-free alternative for those who prefer a more natural to pain relief. If you’re looking to remedy certain phyiscal discomforts, here are five wellness benefits to Gua Sha…

1. Detoxify the body and gives a natural face lift
Unlike the typical massage, Gua Sha uses a tool — typically smooth edged — to stroke the skin repeatedly. This technique helps to stimulate the lymphatic system and promote blood circulation (as well as energy flow) throughout the body, clearing any blockages within. This technique can be used anywhere on the face, neck or body to draw out toxins and increasing skin radiance and reduce puffiness.

2. Relieve migraine, headaches and sore muscles
Stress tend to create heat inside the body that then travels into vital organs. As heat gets trapped, tension is created resulting in stress symptoms such as migraines, headaches and sore muscles. Gua Sha helps to release the heat in these tension areas, stimulating the circulation of blood throughout various areas of the body — relieving inflammation, swelling and pain.

3. Soothe Prementural syndrome
Symptoms of Premenstural syndrom (PMS) commonly come in the form of fatigue, soreness and abdominal cramps caused by an excess of serotonin and prostaglandins hormones that trigger mood fluctuations and uterine contractions — resulting in pain, soreness, fatigue and swelling. Gua Sha helps to drain out toxins (from an excess of stress hormones), reduce swelling and soothe the pain of menstrual flow.

4. Complements therapy treatments to reduce tourette syndrome
Tourette’s Syndrome is a condition that affects the nervous system, causing sudden and involuntary twitches, referred to as ‘tics’. In a single-patient study published in the US National Library of Medicine, it was found that the use of Gua Sha once a week for 35 weeks to complement the therapy treatments of tourette’s resulted in the significant reduction (75%) of facial tics, throat clearing, and verbal outbursts, though more studies are needed to prove its effectiveness.

5. Reduce chronic inflammation
Interestingly, Gua Sha therapists or TCM doctors can tell which energy pathways are blocked by the colour of the skin. They typically begin with a deep tissue massage or palpations on the body to find specific areas in which skin remains pale after applying deep pressure on the area — indicating that blood flows slowly in that area. There have been some studies in which Gua Sha was used as a therapeutic treatment for liver inflammation caused by hepatitis B. The treatment is said to ‘scrape out’ and drain the toxins built up in organs and reduce enzymes in the liver, but to prove its medical benefit for curing chronic inflammation, more research is required.