Lymphatic Walking: Let Me Tell You Why It Is Another Trend

Lymphatic Walking is another trend that you really don’t need to overthink. But let me introduce myself first.

My name is Giovanni, and I am a clinical myotherapist specialised in Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD). I work with client who has an intact Lymphatic system but even with client who have Lymphatic System pathology, like Lymphoedema.

In this blog, I am going to share the basic knowledge and explanation of why Lymphatic walking is a nonsense term, but you should still walk.

Walking is good for you. It gets your muscles moving, supports cardiovascular health, improves fitness and can be an easy way to stay active.

But recently, you may have heard of lymphatic walking.

Your lymphatic system is already working, no matter what.

So no, you don’t normally need a special walking technique to “switch it on.” The lymphatic system is a complex transport network that continuously moves fluid, proteins, fats and immune cells through the body. Lymphatic vessels have their own pumping mechanisms, while movement of surrounding tissues, breathing, and other mechanical forces can also influence lymph transport.

Does walking increase lymph flow?

Yes.

And with this, we already gave enough credit to this trend.

Any form of movement can help the lymphatic system work more and can help your body feel less bloated and tight. This is because any form of muscle contraction is going to directly stimulate your lymphatic system capillaries to collect more liquid and therefore move more fluid.

Now, walking is a perfectly reasonable activity for supporting normal circulation and lymph transport, because the primary movers in the body for walking are your legs.

Legs contain the biggest muscle group of the body, and are a body area where the fluid has to travel the most, in a proximal direction, to reach the clavicle, where the lymphatic fluid is then dumped into the bloodstream (at the subclavian veins).

But again, there is nothing particularly magical about “lymphatic walking.”

Again, your lymphatic system responds to many forms of movement. Walking, cycling, swimming, resistance training, climbing stairs and ordinary daily activities all involve muscular contractions and changes in pressure that can contribute to lymph movement.

In other words:

You don’t need to learn a special walking pattern to make your lymphatic system work.

But what I really want to make sure we all understand is that there is nothing inherently wrong with doing them. Just don’t confuse a different walking technique with a medically necessary way of “activating” your lymphatic system.

Do you need to boost your lymphatic system?

Ok, this is another big topic that I often find myself talking to my clients about here at Melbourne Massage and Treatment in Coburg.

If, overall, you are a healthy person, no, you don’t need to boost your lymphatic system.

And the reason is quite simple.

Your lymphatic system, like many body systems, works fine just by you doing the right thing. If you keep yourself in motion- yes, in this case, even just walking- your lymphatic system works even stronger than usual.

This is why phrases such as:

• “Your lymph is stagnant”
• “You need to activate your lymph”
• “Your lymphatic system is blocked from sitting”
• “Do this walk to detox your lymph”
• “You need to flush your lymph”

should be treated with some scepticism, as are a bunch of nonsense words.

That said, there are, of course, genuine lymphatic disorders.

People with conditions such as lymphoedema can experience impaired lymphatic transport and may require appropriate assessment and management. Exercise and movement can form part of lymphoedema management, but that is very different from saying that everybody needs to perform a special walking routine to prevent their lymphatic system from becoming “stagnant.”

What if you have lymphoedema?

This is where we need to sit and talk. Medically talk, no social media trend chat.

If someone has lymphatic dysfunction, simply telling them to “walk more to boost their lymph” is not an adequate treatment plan.

In fact, exercise can be beneficial for people with lymphoedema. But when someone presents with Lymphoedema, we need to take into consideration the bigger picture, which is their medical and clinical history.

Therefore, management of lymphoedema may involve several components, depending on the individual, including exercise, compression, skin care, education, self-management and appropriate manual techniques.

That is very different from following a social-media video promising to “flush out toxins.”

Lymphatic massage is not the same as Manual Lymphatic Drainage

Something that I already touched on is the topic of lymphatic massage and what’s the difference between Lymphatic Massage and MLD.

A massage advertised as “lymphatic” is not automatically Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD).

MLD is a specific manual technique with particular principles and techniques. It should not simply be used as a marketing label for any gentle massage that claims to “drain toxins.”

Understanding this distinction is particularly important if you are looking for treatment for an actual lymphatic condition. But also, if you are looking to find a therapist who can tell you more about your lymphatic system needs, if any, and not just grab your money promising a healthy trend.

So, what is MLD?

Manual Lymphatic Drainage is a specialised, gentle manual technique that increases lymphatic fluid transport.

Vodder Academy is the world academy that has a patent for MLD as a technique and treatment modality. That’s the academy I studied with for my Applied MLD, Lymphoedema Management and Cosmetic Surgery recovery specialisation.

That said, there are other schools that offer training for other lymphatic treatment, but personally, with extended research, I found that the Vodder Academy was the best school to study with. Not only because they hold the gold standard for Lymphoedema treatment, but also because the training doesn’t stop at the course; there is a real network of teachers and students who spend time sharing resources and experiences from all over the world.

Can healthy people have MLD?

Yes, of course they can.

If you are overall healthy and not suffering from any lymphatic condition, you can still receive MLD and benefit from it.

MLD is a very gentle treatment and many people find it relaxing. For a healthy person, an occasional MLD session can simply be a form of relaxation and wellbeing rather than a treatment for a “blocked” lymphatic system.

And what I always tell my clients here at my Coburg Clinic is: What’s your goal with the treatment?

If you are in need of relaxation, then yes, MLD is the best treatment I have to offer among my services.

But if someone is telling you that you need MLD because your lymphatic system is “full of toxins” or “not working because you sit too much,” that is a very different claim, and one that deserves much more scrutiny.

Do you need lymphatic walking?

Probably not. But don’t miss out on a walk if you have the opportunity to go for one.

Walk because movement is good for your body.

Walk because regular physical activity supports cardiovascular fitness, muscle function, mobility and general health.

And yes, movement also contributes to normal lymph transport.

But you don’t need to separate the idea of walking and lymphatic health. Again, any movement boosts your lymphatic system.

On the other hand, if you have a diagnosed lymphatic condition, the situation is different. Rather than relying on social-media trends, it is worth having your condition properly assessed and discussing an appropriate management plan.

Here at Melbourne Massage and Treatment, for a client presenting with Lymphoedema and having an enquiry, I do offer a free 15 min online consultation.

Book your free 15 mins Online Consultation for Lymphoedema

The bottom line

So, to be clear and honest with you: Lymphatic walking isn’t a special treatment your body needs.

Walking is beneficial because movement is beneficial. Indeed, my motto is “Move More, Live Well”.

That said, the lymphatic system is one of the many systems that responds to movement.

So keep walking.

Keep exercising.

Keep moving.

Just don’t feel that you need a special “lymphatic walking” technique to make your lymphatic system work.

And if you are interested in MLD, choose it because you understand what the treatment actually is, whether that is as part of lymphatic management or simply because you enjoy a gentle, relaxing treatment.

I hope this blog helped clarify why Lymphatic Walking is a nonsensical term.

Frequently Asked Questions – Lymphatic Walking