Before You Book a Lymphatic Drainage Massage, Are You Doing These Key Steps?

When you hear people buzzing about lymphatic drainage massage, it’s for good reason. These skilled practitioners can help you unlock a whole new level of well-being by supporting your body’s natural detox pathways. But before you hop on the table, there’s more to know about how your lymphatic system works—and how to prepare your body so you get the best results.

Why Lymphatic Drainage Massage is Amazing (And Why Practitioners Deserve Praise)

Lymphatic drainage massage therapists are truly the unsung heroes of holistic wellness. They understand that the lymphatic system is a critical part of our body’s ability to detoxify, regulate fluid balance, and support immune function. And they use gentle, rhythmic techniques to help move lymph fluid through the body. It’s a powerful tool—but like any tool, it works best when the groundwork is laid.

Understanding Your Lymphatic System: The Unsung Hero of Detox

Your lymphatic system is like the body’s drainage network. It carries away waste, toxins, and excess fluid, helping keep everything in balance. Unlike your cardiovascular system, it doesn’t have a pump like the heart. Instead, it relies on your body’s movement, hydration, and a little help from gravity and massage to keep things flowing.

The Problem: Mobilizing Toxins Without an Exit Plan

Now, here’s where we get real. While lymphatic drainage massage can be a game-changer, there’s a catch: if you mobilize toxins and they have nowhere to go, you can end up feeling worse. This is known as a Herxheimer reaction—basically, a detox reaction that leaves you feeling fatigued, headachy, or flu-like because those toxins are stirred up but not eliminated.

What Can Go Wrong (and How to Prevent It)

Dehydration: If you’re not well-hydrated, your body can’t flush out those toxins effectively. Aim for clear, filtered water- throughout the day.
Constipation: If you’re not having regular bowel movements—at least once a day—those toxins have no exit route. What’s common isn’t always normal, so let’s redefine what “regular” means.
Respiratory Issues and Not Sweating: If you have asthma or you’re not sweating regularly, it means fewer pathways for toxins to escape. These can also be signs of a deeper imbalance.
Liver Support: Our modern diets often lack the Phase 2 nutrients the liver needs to process toxins. With depleted soils, supplementation can be key.

The Solutions: Prepping Your Body for Lymphatic Success

Hydrate with Clean, Filtered Water: This is non-negotiable. Keep that water intake steady. How much filtered water ? At least half of your weight in ounces of water (150 pound person = 75 ounces minimum)
Stay Regular: Ensure daily bowel movements. In our practice, as a first step we suggest 1 scoop of Alkalizing Vitamin C with water upon waking to help with bowel motility
Keep Your Body Moving: Walking, foam rolling, and rebounding can keep lymph flowing between massages.
Dry Brushing for Lymphatic Flow: Most people have never heard of dry brushing, but it’s one of the simplest and most affordable ways to support your lymphatic system at home. Using a natural bristle brush on dry skin, you gently brush in long strokes toward the heart. This stimulates circulation, encourages lymphatic drainage, exfoliates the skin, and can leave you feeling both energized and refreshed. Aim for 3–5 minutes with your personal dry brush before a shower a few times per week.
Consider Sauna Therapy: Infrared sauna sessions can support detoxification and circulation.
Support Your Liver: Use a functional medicine detox protocol every 90 days to give your liver the nutrients it needs.
By following these steps, you’re setting yourself up for a more effective lymphatic drainage massage with your favorite massage therapist—and a healthier, happier you.
Your next step is clear
Put this proven plan into action, and If this article was helpful in any way, please share it with someone you feel it can serve. Sometimes the smallest act of passing knowledge forward can make the biggest difference in someone else’s life.
With gratitude and care,
~Jeffrey
About the Author
Jeffrey Mort is a certified Integrative Health Practitioner (IHP) Level 1 & 2, a certified High Performance Health Coach, a National Guild certified Consulting Hypnotist, and the host of the Breaking Boundaries podcast. Neither the podcast nor this blog claims to provide any medical advice, medical diagnosis, medical treatment plans, or medical cures.
Jeffrey specializes in helping women and men over 40 reclaim their energy in the healthiest way possible so they can better serve their clients, their families, and themselves. Learn more and schedule your complimentary consultation at loveenergywellness.com.