Your lymphatic system helps eliminate your body’s waste. A healthy, active lymphatic system uses the natural movements of smooth muscle tissue to do this.

However, surgery, medical conditions, or other damage can cause fluids to build up in your lymph system and your lymph nodes, a condition known as lymphedema.

If you’ve ever had a surgery on or involving your lymph nodes, your doctor may have suggested lymphatic drainage massage performed by a certified massage or physical therapist. 

Llymphatic massage is not recommended for people with the following conditions:

1. congestive heart failure

2. history of blood clots or stroke

3. current infection

4. liver problems

5. kidney problems

The goal of lymphatic massage on the legs is to open the lymphatic vessels to let excess fluid drain back up into the lymph nodes located in the groin. There are different techniques used to perform lymphatic massage on the legs, but all have the same end goal: to release the fluid to go back up through the lymph nodes.

To perform a lymphatic massage on the legs, you can follow these steps:

• Perform lymphatic massage of the upper body before beginning with the legs. Follow the three stages of clearing in the supraclavicular area, the axillary area, and the inner-elbow area, in that order. This ensures that the system is clear to allow fluid to drain up.
• Use light pressure. If you can feel the muscles underneath your skin, you are pressing too hard.
• Begin the leg massage at the furthest point away from the injury or affected area and work your way down. For example, if your ankle has swelling, start the massage on the upper part of the leg.
• Starting at the top of the leg, put one hand on the inside of the leg and the other on the back of your leg.
• With gentle pressure, stretch the skin from the inside of your leg up and out, toward your hip.
• Continue this motion down the leg until you reach the knee.
• When you reach the knee, stretch the skin up, with alternating hands, toward your armpit.
• Repeat 10 to 15 times.