Last updated on 21 November 2025 by Brisbane Livewell Clinic Editorial Team
Lymphatic drainage massage is a gentle therapeutic technique that stimulates the lymphatic system using light, rhythmic strokes. This specialised treatment reduces swelling, supports detoxification, and boosts immune function by encouraging lymph fluid movement through the body’s natural drainage network.
Unlike traditional massage, lymphatic drainage focuses specifically on moving excess fluid and toxins toward lymph nodes for elimination.
Discover the Secret Healing Power of Lymphatic Drainage Massage
Looking for a gentle, effective way to reduce swelling, fluid retention or post-surgery puffiness? Lymphatic Drainage Massage at Brisbane Livewell Clinic is designed to support your body’s natural detox process and help you feel lighter, clearer and more balanced.
Key Takeaways about Lymphatic Drainage Massage
- Gentle therapeutic technique using light strokes to stimulate lymphatic system drainage
- Reduces swelling and boosts immunity by moving excess fluid and toxins through the body
- Helps various conditions including post-surgery recovery, lymphoedema, inflammation, chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia
- Safe for most people but contraindicated for active cancer, blood clots, and acute infections
- Lymph Drainage is a “secret” treatment to reduce cellulite and your skin
- Professional treatment more effective than self-massage for complex conditions and medical applications
- Evidence-based therapy supported by clinical research and recognised by healthcare professionals
- Looking for the best Lymphatic Drainage Massage Near Me? If you live in Brisbane Northside, book at our Wavell Heights Clinic. If you live in Brisbane Southside, book at our Cannon Hill Clinic.
What is Lymphatic Drainage Massage?
Lymphatic drainage massage is a specialised therapeutic technique that uses gentle, rhythmic strokes to stimulate your lymphatic system – your body’s natural drainage network. Unlike deep tissue massage, this treatment focuses on moving lymph fluid through your body to reduce swelling, boost immunity, and promote natural detoxification.
Long-term swelling can cause various problems, especially for those who are less mobile or spend extended periods in one position. Fluid build-up leads to discomfort, reduces range of movement, and can significantly impact quality of life. Fortunately, lymphatic drainage massage offers much-needed relief.
Want to understand the science behind it? Learn exactly what is Lymphatic Drainage Massage and how it works
What Does Lymphatic Massage Feel Like?
Lymphatic Drainage Massage is very different from relaxation or remedial massages. It involves light, flowing strokes using the fingertips, with circular motions around the lymph nodes and gentle strokes towards the nodes from the limbs. You can choose between using oil or powder during the session.
Both Fiona Woodhouse at Brisbane Livewell Clinic (Cannon Hill) and Rattana (Rainie) Chaisurayakan at Brisbane Livewell Clinic (Wavell Heights) offers a professional, relaxing and therapeutic lymphatic massage. This treatment can be particularly relaxing and beneficial for patients with chronic inflammation, providing noticeable relief and improved movement.
So if you’re looking for where to get a Lymphatic Drainage Massage Brisbane, the answer is Brisbane Livewell Clinic at either Wavell Heights or Cannon Hill.
How Does Lymphatic Drainage Massage Work?
Your lymphatic system is like your body’s waste management system. It collects toxins, excess fluid, and cellular waste, filtering them through lymph nodes before returning clean fluid to your bloodstream. When this system becomes sluggish or blocked, you experience swelling, fatigue, and reduced immunity.
Lymphatic massage employs a technique called effleurage – gentle pressure and strategic hand movements that push fluid towards the lymph nodes. The massage therapist uses:
- Light, flowing strokes using fingertips
- Circular motions around lymph nodes
- Gentle directional pressure from limbs toward nodes
- Rhythmic pumping movements to encourage drainage
This process stimulates the lymphatic system, potentially enhancing its efficiency and helping your body naturally eliminate waste and toxins.
Medical Conditions That Benefit from Lymphatic Drainage
Primary Medical Applications
- Lymphoedema (primary and secondary)
- Post-surgical swelling and oedema
- Chronic venous insufficiency
- Fibromyalgia and chronic pain conditions
- Rheumatoid arthritis inflammation
- Chronic fatigue syndrome
Recovery and Wellness Applications
- Post-liposuction and plastic surgery recovery
- Sports injury swelling and inflammation
- Pregnancy-related fluid retention
- Sinusitis and chronic congestion
- Migraine and tension headache relief
- Stress-related immune suppression
- Chronic or Acute Inflammation throughout the body
Cosmetic and Aesthetic Benefits
- Cellulite reduction through improved circulation
- Facial puffiness and under-eye bags
- Skin tone improvement via detoxification
- Water retention and bloating relief
In my experience
I recently received Lymphatic Drainage Massage from Rattana (Rainie) Chaisurayakan at Brisbane Livewell Clinic (Wavell Heights), and it was an amazing experience. Forget everything you know about Relaxation Massage or Remedial Massage! Lymphatic Drainage Massage isn’t about pressure – all the strokes are light and flowing, just using the tips of the Massage Therapist’s fingers. Around the lymph nodes themselves, Rainie used circular motions. And she used gentle strokes up and down my arms and legs towards the lymph nodes (eg from my wrist upwards). You can choose whether to use oil or powder – I chose oil
I can’t even explain how relaxing it was to receive this type of massage.
I have chronic and systemic inflammation, and right after the therapy I noticed some softness in one of my worst-inflamed areas of my wrist. I usually find massages quite painful, but I felt no discomfort here, and I was able to recover almost immediately because there was minimal release of toxins when compared to deeper strokes.
The next day, and for the following several days, I could actually press down on my wrist and feel movement, which has not happened for years given the severity of my inflammation. And some of my pain had been relieved as well!
Because of how chronic my issues are, I will need several more sessions, but I am confident I’ve finally found a non-pharmaceutical way to control some of my inflammation, pain and swelling while I’m working with my Naturopath to get to the root cause of the problem.
And I’ve definitely booked in my next session of Lymphatic Drainage Massage with Rainie. 90 minutes this time – 60 minutes just didn’t feel long enough!
Rachelle Hare, Owner, Brisbane Livewell Clinic
Benefits of Lymphatic Massage
Lymphatic Drainage Massage can be beneficial for many conditions, including:
- Post-surgical swelling
- Lower body stagnation
- Obesity
- Stress reduction
- Sinus congestion
- Improving blood flow and lymph flow
- Congenital lymphoedema
- Sprains and strains
- Helping to reduce the need for compression garments
- As an alternative to sports massage
- Post-plastic surgery recovery
- Scar tissue reduction
- Detoxification after smoking or chemotherapy
Patients often report feeling more relaxed and experiencing reduced swelling and fluid retention after treatment.
Please note, if you have cancer, you may need to visit a Massage Therapist who is specially trained in treating cancer patients. Please call our Clinic to discuss your particular needs and whether our Massage Therapists can help.
Lymphatic Drainage Massage Post-Liposuction
Manual lymphatic drainage is recommended post-liposuction to alleviate swelling and discomfort caused by excess lymphatic fluid. This specialised massage technique, endorsed by plastic surgeons, accelerates recovery and provides significant relief after just a few sessions. Most patients experience substantial improvement after 4 to 6 treatments.
Fiona Woodhouse at Cannon Hill is able to provide this special therapy.
Who Can Benefit from Lymphatic Drainage Massage?
Lymphatic Drainage Massage is suitable for almost everyone, including those with pre-existing conditions or who are in poor health. It can be particularly beneficial for patients recovering from chemotherapy or mastectomy, those who have quit smoking, or individuals frequently getting sick.
This gentle and non-invasive massage can be an effective complement to conventional treatments, helping to enhance overall well-being and reduce the frequency of colds and flu. Many patients report feeling more relaxed and tranquil after a treatment, as well as finding that the level of swelling and fluid retention which they had been experiencing has subsided.
The Lymphatic system can get impaired for many reasons but everyone can benefit from a Lymphatic Drainage Massage Brisbane. We’ve found that patients who receive regular massage tend to have fewer colds and flu. It is especially suited to patients who:
- Have undergone chemotherapy or mastectomy, as it helps in the recuperation process (although please note that you may need to see a Massage Therapist who specialises in cancer treatment if you currently have cancer – please discuss this with our Reception staff)
- Have stopped smoking
- Are run down
- Are constantly getting sick.
Lymphatic Massage could be considered for treatment of the following
- Post-surgical & other forms of swelling
- Stagnation in the lower part of the body
- Obesity
- Stress Reduction
- Sinus problems, congestion
- Congenital lymphoedema
- Sprains, Strains
- Post plastic surgery
- Scar tissue reduction
- Detoxification after smoking, chemotherapy (while your cancer is in remission)
- Reduction of Fever (Glandular/Ross River)
Book Your Lymphatic Drainage Massage Brisbane Session Today
If you suffer from swelling, chronic pain, inflammation or chronic inflammation, lymphoedema or similar issues due to fluid build-up, or if you’re trying to improve your blood flow and lymph flow, lymphatic massage could provide the relief you need.
Contact Brisbane Livewell Clinic on (07) 3861 5881 or click the button below to book an appointment.
