Shwe Tan

info@shwe.uk - 01279 442844

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Lymphatic Drainage Massage in Old Harlow

Sometimes your body feels heavy, puffy or a little sluggish. It might not be weight, it might just be fluid your body is holding onto. Lymphatic drainage, also known as Manual Lymphatic Drainage or MLD, is a gentle, deeply relaxing treatment that helps get things moving again, leaving you feeling lighter, calmer and refreshed from head to toe.

Your lymphatic system has no pump of its own. Unlike your blood, which is moved around by your heart, lymph relies on movement, breath and gentle manual stimulation to keep flowing. When it slows down you might notice puffiness, water retention or that heavy, run-down feeling. This treatment uses feather-light pressure and slow, rhythmic strokes to support your body's natural flow and help you feel your best.

Our lymphatic drainage massage is carried out by a fully trained therapist, and a detailed consultation is carried out before your first session to make sure the treatment is right for you.

Lymphatic Drainage Head to Toe Massage (75 minutes)

A relaxing full-body treatment that works with your body's natural rhythm, finishing with gentle facial drainage to brighten and de-puff. Using light pressure and slow, gentle strokes along the lymph pathways, it helps move excess fluid, ease that heavy feeling and leave you calm, lighter and refreshed.

What it helps with:

- A lighter, less puffy body
- A brighter, de-puffed face
- Reduced water retention and that sluggish, heavy feeling
- Deep relaxation and a calmer, more rested you
- Healthy, glowing skin
- Supports your immune system
- Helps your body flush waste and feel refreshed
- May help with conditions such as fibromyalgia and lymphoedema
- Ideal before surgery, and helps healing afterwards

Scalp Massage Add-On (10 minutes)

The perfect finishing touch. A calming scalp massage that works on the pressure points across the scalp to melt away tension and help you unwind that little bit more. Add to your treatment for £15.

Lymphatic Drainage Massage (MLD)

Lymphatic Drainage Head to Toe Massage (75 minutes)
£110
Scalp Massage Add On (10 minutes)
£15

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Why lymphatic drainage feels so good

As well as easing puffiness and helping you feel lighter, lymphatic drainage calms the nervous system. The slow, gentle rhythm helps switch your body into rest and digest mode, easing stress and tension and encouraging better sleep. You leave feeling restored.

Before and after surgery

Lymphatic drainage is also an ideal treatment around surgery. Before a procedure it can help boost your immune system, flush out excess fluid and prepare your body. Afterwards it helps minimise swelling and bruising and supports your body's natural healing. If you're booking post-operative treatment, we ask that you have a quick telephone consultation with our therapist first, so we can check the treatment is right for you and plan it safely around your recovery. Please contact us to arrange this before booking.

What our clients say

"I had a lymphatic drainage massage with Sophie and would highly recommend it. I often struggle with aches and tension in my legs and arms, and I noticed a real difference after my treatment. I arrived feeling really tense, but left feeling so much looser, lighter and completely relaxed.

Sophie looked after me throughout the whole appointment, always checking I was comfortable, which made me feel really well cared for. Her kindness and professionalism made the whole experience so relaxing.

If you experience aches, tension or heavy legs and arms like I do, I'd definitely recommend giving this massage a try. It really helped me feel more comfortable and relaxed, and I'll be booking again."

Reviewed by Brooke 07/07/2026

Before Your Lymphatic Drainage Massage

To prepare for your treatment and support your lymphatic system:

- Hydrate well, drink plenty of water before your appointment to help your lymphatic system function efficiently
- Avoid heavy meals or alcohol beforehand, a lighter stomach supports circulation and comfort
- Wear comfortable clothing and arrive relaxed to help your body ease into the restorative state the treatment encourages

After Your Lymphatic Drainage Massage

- Keep hydrating over the next few days to support the fluid movement the treatment encourages
- Try 10 to 15 minutes of gentle movement after your massage
- Avoid alcohol for at least 24 hours
- Plan a little rest where you can, and enjoy the calm

Is it suitable for me?

Lymphatic drainage is gentle and suitable for most people, but it isn't right for everyone. It should be avoided if you currently have an infection or fever, an acute skin infection such as cellulitis, active cancer (unless approved by your doctor), heart problems including heart failure, or kidney disease. It cannot be carried out if you have blood clots such as DVT, if you are in the first trimester of pregnancy, or if you have recently had major surgery without GP approval. It is also not suitable for anyone with an untreated thyroid condition.

If you are booking post-operative treatment, we ask that you have a quick telephone consultation with our therapist first, so we can check the treatment is right for you and plan it safely around your recovery.

If you are unsure about anything, please contact us before booking and we'll be happy to help.

Lymphatic Drainage FAQ

What is lymphatic drainage massage?

It's a gentle form of massage that encourages the movement of lymph fluid around the body. It uses very light pressure and long, gentle, rhythmic strokes to increase the flow of lymph. The fluid in the lymphatic system helps remove waste from the body's tissues.

Will it hurt?

No. The massage affects only the skin, so the pressure is gentle and your therapist won't press hard enough to feel the muscles. During the massage there should be no pain or skin reddening.

What are the benefits?

Lymphatic drainage can help reduce water retention, reduce the chance of minor colds and viruses by helping the body fight off infection, and improve your skin texture by reducing swelling, puffiness and blotches. It can also help give clean, healthy pores and is deeply relaxing.
It can also support your immune system, help with conditions such as fibromyalgia and lymphoedema, and is an ideal treatment before and after surgery to help with healing, swelling and bruising.

Why does lymphatic drainage help with puffiness and water retention?

Unlike blood, which is pumped around by your heart, the lymph system has no pump. It relies on the pressure from your blood vessels and the movement of your muscles to push the fluid around. If you sit for a long time without moving, the lymph can't flow as easily, which is why you might notice swollen feet or fingers. The massage helps encourage that flow.

How long is the treatment?

Your head to toe treatment takes 75 minutes. A detailed consultation is carried out before your first treatment to make sure it's right for you.

Is there anything I should do afterwards?

Yes, drink extra fluids after your massage, ideally two to four glasses of water, to help flush the body. It's important to always end the treatment by drinking extra fluids.

Is it suitable for everyone?

Lymphatic drainage is gentle and suitable for most people, but not everyone. It should be avoided if you have an infection or fever, acute cellulitis (a skin infection), congestive heart failure, or an untreated blood clot such as DVT. It's also not suitable during the first trimester of pregnancy. There are further conditions where extra care is needed, including kidney problems, thyroid conditions, asthma, or if you've had your spleen removed, so please tell us about your health during your consultation. If you're unsure, contact us before booking.

How often should I have it?

As a general wellbeing treatment, it can be enjoyed as a regular relaxing massage. Your therapist will talk through what suits you during your consultation.

Lymphatic drainage or Swedish massage, which is right for me?

Both are lovely, but they do different things.

Lymphatic drainage uses feather-light pressure and slow, rhythmic movements that work just beneath the surface of the skin, following your body's lymph pathways. It's best if you feel puffy, bloated or sluggish, want brighter, glowing skin, or you're after something deeply calming. You leave feeling lighter, de-puffed and refreshed.

Swedish massage uses firmer, medium to deep pressure with long, kneading strokes that work into the muscles. It's best for muscle soreness, tension and stress. You leave feeling looser, calmer and more flexible.

In short, choose lymphatic drainage if you want to feel lighter and refreshed, and Swedish if you want to release tight, aching muscles. If you're not sure, we're always happy to help you pick when you book.

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