Lymphatic Drainage Massage

Bodhi Bodywork IconBodhi Bodywork

5415 Kingston Pike A, Knoxville

5.0 88 reviews

  • Avatar Elena King ★★★★★ 3 years ago
    I was looking for a lymphatic massage for a while until I found David, the experience was beyond my expectations, very professional.


A form of light touch massage, lymphatic drainage massage (also called manual lymphatic drainage or MLD) helps move lymph fluid through the body to aid in detoxification.

The movement of lymph helps remove waste and toxins from the cells of the body. This process can be slowed or blocked by surgeries and some health conditions like edema, fibromyalgia, and lymphedema.

When the lymphatic system isn’t functioning well, the body can swell and ache, causing feelings of sluggishness and even sickness. Lymphatic drainage massage can help you flush toxins, reabsorb fluids, and feel better.

Unlike the circulatory system, where the heart pumps blood through arteries and veins, there is no pump in the lymphatic system.

Instead, the lymphatic system relies on physical movement, breathing, and smooth muscles to push fluid through the lymph vessels. Most lymph vessels are just beneath the skin and can be accessed through this form of massage.

Lymphatic drainage massage can be particularly helpful for people with the following conditions:

  • post-op swelling from operations like liposuction, tummy tucks, mommy makeovers, breast augmentation or reduction, mastectomy, face lift, arm lift, thigh lift, and Brazilian butt lift (BBL) surgeries — read more about post-op massage in Knoxville, TN
  • lymphedema — please note that we do not specialize in lymphedema massage here at Bodhi Bodywork. For lymphedema, we recommend you get massage from a Certified Lymphedema Therapist (CLT) as part of your physical therapy treatments. Find a CLT here.
  • fibromyalgia
  • edema or swelling
  • skin disorders
  • tiredness and stress
  • difficulty sleeping
  • digestive problems
  • arthritis and other inflammation
  • migraine headaches

In fact, lymphatic massage can speed recovery time from cosmetic surgery by up to to 50%.

Lymphatic drainage massage has also been shown to reduce thigh circumference and the appearance of cellulite and fat in women. (For a more intense form of lymphatic bodywork that contours the body, see wood therapy.)

Lymphatic massage can also reduce scarring, especially in conjunction with scar release massage and cicatrisant essential oils.

During a lymphatic massage, gentle, rhythmic, strokes are used to open and close the lymphatics, moving lymph towards nodes that filter the fluid and expel toxins from the body. Lymphatic massage also invites relaxation and reduces muscle soreness, swelling, muscle tiredness and weakness, and pain.

While this offering is suitable for pre-surgery, those seeking lymphatic massage as part of surgery aftercare should book post-op massages instead. If you are seeking lymphedema relief, please use a practitioner in this list instead of booking with us.