First, what is the lymphatic system in basic terms, it is a network of vessels and nodes under your skin that is a very important part of the immune system. This helps to keep your internal system running smoothly to remove fluid and toxins from your internal system. The lymphatic systems flush toxins and ramp up the immune system by removing waste, toxins, water weight and bloating. When the lymphatic system is not running smoothly all the waste in your body system begins to back up and then you are not getting rid of it. This is when excess fluid collects in the superficial tissues causing swelling (edema) of a body part and most of the time it is the extremities, example leg, arms. This is the most common symptom of lymphatic obstruction or lymphedema is swelling. This can be caused by several things like a malformation of the lymphatic system due to result from surgery, radiation therapy treatment, trauma, infection, diet and or medication.

Manual lymphatic drainage is a type of very light strokes based on the hypothesis that it will encourage the natural drainage of the lymph which carries waste products away from the tissues back towards the heart to be drain out of the body.