Massage and the Lymphatic System

Throughout this essay I will be looking to discuss and explain massage and the lymphatic system and how I feel they link well together as a specific treatment or therapy. I will begin by discussing a general overview of what massage itself entails and the different types of movements which can be used to create the wanted outcome. I will also look at how the lymphatic system works within the body and what the main uses of it are. By linking massage and the lymphatic system together a body therapy has been created which provides the client with many different effects and benefits. This form of massage is used in lots of different ways from relaxation to medical treatment and is beneficial to many types of client.

Massage has been practiced through many centuries and has been used for a number of reasons from medical treatments to general relaxation therapies. Lots of styles have been developed throughout the years and therapists have adapted their personalised treatments using routines, methods and mediums to create the effects and feelings that they are looking to achieve for their clients. Massage includes the therapist using mainly their hands, elbows and arms to manipulate the body’s muscle tissues. There are many types of massage however the main one we have looked at as a class is Swedish massage. This form of massage includes five main movement groups. These groups include effleurage, petrissage, tapotement, vibration and friction. Each of these movements can be used in many different ways to create specific effects and benefits for the individual client. Effleurage consists mainly of light, long, sweeping movements allowing the hands to softly run over the surface of the skin. This movement is used for application of mass...

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