Debunking Lymphatic Myths
- Dana Llewellyn
- Jan 20
- 7 min read
Updated: Jan 23
The lymphatic system experienced a spotlight within the last couple years and for a while there it seemed like every health and wellness influencer was talking about it. While I love that the lymph system is finally getting the attention it deserves, this new wave of awareness also brought a wave of misinformation about what the lymphatic system is, what it does and how to work with it. I’ve collected the top 10 most misunderstood aspects of the lymph system and lymphatic drainage that I’ve heard from clients, friends and others in my life. Hopefully this gives you a clearer understanding of the lymphatic system and helps you think more critically about information that’s out there.
Myth #1: The Lymphatic System is a detox system
To detox means to remove harmful substances from the body (1)
Our bodies detox through peeing, pooping, breathing, and sweating
The lymphatic system is a closed system that transports fluid from the tissues to the bloodstream, filtering it and breaking down harmful substances along the way
Once lymphatic contents get dumped back into the bloodstream, waste products get sent to the kidney or liver for further processing and eventual excretion
While the lymphatic system does help in the breakdown of potentially harmful substances, it doesn’t rid the body of anything. It’s just a step along the way.
MYTH BUSTED: The lymphatic system can be thought of more as a second circulation system than a detox system
Lymphatic drainage can spread cancer
Because cancer can spread through the lymphatic system and affect lymph nodes, it is a common misconception that manual lymphatic drainage or even massage can spread cancer
However, the spread of cancer is much more complex than rogue cells floating through the lymph system and setting up camp wherever it lands.
"The spread of cancer has many complex biological factors: Tumor cell characteristics, immune function, vascular endothelial growth factors and various other chemical and biological aspects of the target organ" (2)
In fact, healthy lymphatic flow can be very useful in the recovery from cancer, and receiving manual lymphatic drainage supports circulation, waste removal from the tissues and recirculation of useful nutrients
MYTH BUSTED: There is no scientific evidence that supports the claim that receiving MLD or massage can spread cancer (3,8)
Swollen or palpable lymph nodes are a bad thing
Lymph nodes are very small, bean-shaped structures that exist in clusters around the body. Specialized white blood cells in the lymph nodes are responsible for breaking down potentially harmful substances and developing and immune response when necessary
Many people are only used to paying attention to their lymph nodes when they notice that they are swollen when they get sick
Because we have this association with sickness and swollen lymph nodes, many clients come to me with concerns of swollen lymph nodes or lymph nodes they can feel
In most cases, having a swollen lymph node means that the lymphatic system is simply doing it’s job: fluid and white blood cells are filling the node, causing it to swell, and the swelling will go back down once the lymphocytes are finished doing their job
Sometimes, even if a lymph node isn’t swollen, it can still be palpable through the skin. This is also completely normal. Lymph nodes are physical structures and are felt more easily on some bodies than others.
If you notice that you can feel a lymph node, keep track of how it feels over the course of a few days and notice if there is a change. If there is consistent swelling that is getting worse, causing physical discomfort, or paired with other notable symptoms, then might be the time to visit a doctor to get it checked out. (4)
MYTH BUSTED: Swollen or palpable lymph nodes are not immediate cause for alarm.
Only people who have gotten lymph nodes removed get lymphedema
There are 2 types of lymphedema:
Primary lymphedema is congenital (someone is born with it)
Secondary lymphedema is causal (someone got lymph nodes removed or the system was damaged in some way
Both types of lymphedema are treatable but not curable. Lymphedema is treated with decongestive therapy, consisting of lymphatic drainage, compression, exercise and skin care. A diagnosis of lymphedema means that lifelong management will be necessary
Symptoms of primary lymphedema can emerge anytime in life, sometimes living dormant in the body until later in life. Other times it shows up at a very young age
Symptoms of secondary lymphedema can emerge anytime post treatment. Some people show symptoms immediately after a procedure, other people take years to develop symptoms.
Lymphedema can occur as a result of radiation therapy, even without the removal of lymph nodes
Just because someone got lymph nodes removed doesn’t mean they will automatically get lymphedema. Education and regular check-ins post treatment are very useful in the prevention and early detection of lymphedema
MYTH BUSTED: lymphedema can occur as a congenital disease or occur after physical trauma other than lymph node removal.
Lymphatic drainage is only for waste removal (the “sewage system” model)
The lymphatic system is often reduced to being the body’s “sewage system”. But it is so much more!
The lymphatic system does breakdown potentially harmful substances and transport them out of the tissues and to the blood stream for eventual excretion
The lymphatic system also re-circulates useful nutrients, such as proteins, back into the bloodstream to get re-circulated and used again
The lymphatic system is also part of the immune system: specialized white blood cells circulate through the system, scanning the fluid and creating immune responses when necessary to potentially harmful substances
The lymphatic system also helps in the digestion of fat and fat-soluble vitamins. Because fat molecules are too large to get absorbed into capillaries in the digestive system, fats are first transported through the lymphatic system as chyle, then eventually get circulated through the blood stream
MYTH BUSTED: the lymphatic system does more than just remove waste. It also circulates proteins and other molecules, plays a large role in immunity and assists with digestion of fat and fat-soluble vitamins.
Lymphedema swelling is only caused by fluid
Lymph fluid consists of water, proteins, fats, white blood cells, salts, glucose and miscellaneous cellular debris
When the lymphatic system is compromised and fluid isn’t flowing optimally, the accumulation of fluid also creates an accumulation of all these other contents in the tissue.
Over time, this accumulation of protein-rich fluid creates a hardening of the tissue, as inflammation and induration create dense, hard, fibrotic tissue.
High inflammation in the body can also lead to the accumulation of fat cells, which in turn create an inflammatory cytokine that creates a vicious cycle of fat and inflammation.
By the time lymphedema reaches this stage of creating significant or excessive tissue changes, it becomes much more difficult to live with and manage
This is why education and early detection of lymphedema is so important
MYTH BUSTED: Lymphedemetous swelling is more than just fluid accumulation. It is an inflammatory mixture of many substances within the fluid that can create tissues changes such as fibrosis and fat accumulation
Lymphatic Drainage cures cellulite
FIrstly, cellulite is not a problem to be solved. It is not a medical condition and therefore cannot be “cured”
Cellulite is simply a visible interplay of fatty tissue, the fibrous tissue that surrounds fat lobules and the skin. It has no substantial effect on or correlation with overall health. It’s a normal occurrence in the human body. (7)
Cellulite is different from lipedema, a painful condition resulting in sensitive and soft fatty accumulation in the body.
MLD cleans up the cellular environment and decrease swelling and inflammation, which can, over time, create some improvement in the appearance of cellulite over time
MYTH BUSTED: While MLD can have a slight effect on the appearance of cellulite over time, it’s not going to “break up” fat cells or “get rid” of cellulite
Manual lymphatic drainage causes weight loss
Before and after pictures in the lymphatic drainage world give the impression that after one session of lymphatic drainage you’ll be slimmer & trimmer
Lymphatic drainage does influence fluid balance and can help decrease swelling. While this can have a temporary slimming effect, it’s not changing the body’s composition.
Different schools of practice exist within lymphatic drainage. Brazilian Lymphatic Drainage has more of an esthetic intention while Manual Lymphatic Drainage has more of a medical intention. It’s important to find a therapist that matches your intention when seeking the work.
MYTH BUSTED: While a session of lymphatic drainage can potentially have a slimming effect, the weight lost would simply be fluid. Lymphatic drainage is not a standalone weight loss solution.
Lymphatic drainage is safe for everybody
While lymphatic drainage is very gentle and safe for most, precautions need to be taken with certain conditions
Absolute contraindication for lymphatic drainage include:
Blood clots (including DVT)
Congestive heart failure
Untreated kidney disease
Infection
Untreated hypertension
Precautions should be taken with:
Malignant disease
Chohn’s disease
Diverticulitis
Radiation fibrosis
Recent surgeries
Other uncontrolled medical conditions
MYTH BUSTED: While MLD is a wonderful treatment for many, it’s not for everyone always. If unsure, check with your doctor before receiving or performing manual lymphatic drainage.
Lymphatic drainage is a passing trend
Lymphatic drainage as we know it today was created in the 1930s by Emil and Estrid Vodder
However, we knew about the lymphatic system far before that. Emil Vodder studied the lymphatic system after discovering drawings made by the anatomist sappey, who made drawings of the lymphatic system in 1885 (5)
Even before the 1800s people knew about the lymphatic system. Ayurveda, a practice spanning back over 5000 years, refers to the lymphatic system as the “river of life”, and recommends the practice of “Abyanga”, or ayurvedic massage to assist in lymphatic drainage (6)
MYTH BUSTED: Humans have known about and worked with the lymphatic system for thousands of years, and MLD as we know it today was created and used as treatment almost 100 years ago
References
Klose Training’s Certified Lymphedema Therapist Manual page 59
https://www.cancercenter.com/community/blog/2022/06/when-to-worry-swollen-lymph-nodes
https://bodyballancer.co.uk/the-lymphatic-system-in-ayurvedic-medicine/
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4354455/
All other sourcing comes from Klose Training’s Certified Lymphedema Therapist Manual
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