Simple lymphatic drainage (SLD) massage

Doing SLD Back to top

Choose a time and place where you can do SLD in a relaxed way and won’t be interrupted or distracted. Make sure you have everything you need before you start and get yourself into a comfortable position. Don’t forget to do your deep breathing exercises first.

The massage is done without any oils or creams, using your hand very gently to move the skin in a particular direction. A little talcum powder may be helpful if your skin is sticky and your hand doesn’t move freely. If your skin is red when you’ve finished, then the movement is too hard.

Hand-held massagers Back to top

Hand-held massagers may be useful for people who have restricted movement of their hands. However, it’s a good idea to talk to your lymphoedema specialist before buying one. Some people find it helpful to use a soft baby brush as a massager.

Massages Back to top

Massage 1 - for arm and leg swelling

 

The massage aims to stimulate the flow of lymph in the body generally.

• Place your fingers, relaxed, on either side of your neck at position 1 (shown in the diagram above).
• Gently move the skin in a downwards direction, towards the back of your neck.
• Repeat 10 times at position 1, 2 and 3.
• At position 4 (on the top of your shoulder) use a gentle movement around the front of your neck in towards the top of your breastbone (where the collarbones meet).
• Repeat five times.
• If you have a short neck, you may not be able to massage the neck in four places. If this is the case, miss out position 3.
  

  Massage 2 - for swelling of one arm

The aim of this massage is to stimulate the lymph channels on the body (trunk) to clear the way ahead so excess fluid can drain away.

The skin is always moved away from the swollen side. You’ll find it easier to start with one hand, and then swap to the other as you move across the body.

• Starting in the armpit on the non-swollen side (position 1), use light pressure to gently stretch the skin up into the armpit. Your hand should be flat and not slide over the skin.
• Repeat five times.
• Next, at position 2, use a light, gentle movement with the whole of the hand to slowly stretch the skin towards the non-swollen side, with a slow rhythm. Repeat in the same area five times.
• Repeat the same movements at position 3.
• Swap hands, and repeat the movements five more times at position 3 with your other hand, as this position is very important for lymphatic drainage. This time, the movement with your fingers is a slight pull to move the skin towards the non-swollen armpit.
• Repeat movements five times at position 4, then 5.

If you have the help of a relative or friend, the massage can be repeated across the back, starting again from the non-swollen side (position 1).

Massage 3 - for swelling of one leg

The aim of this massage is to clear a path ahead of the affected leg to allow excess fluid to drain away.

• Starting at the armpit on the same side as your affected leg (position 1), use light pressure to stretch the skin up gently into the armpit. Your hand should be flat and gently resting on the skin, not sliding over it. Repeat five times.
• Repeat five times each at chest level (position 2), waist level (position 3), then at your lower abdomen (position 4). Each time you will be gently pushing the skin up towards the armpit on the same side as the swelling.