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After burning out during my second postpartum, I promised myself things would be different this time.

More rest. More help. More self-care.

But what does that even mean when you’re only a few weeks postpartum, still bleeding, and not cleared to exercise? For me, self-care used to mean pedicures, an indulgent flat white, or the occasional deep tissue massage. Now, living in the French countryside in a sleepy summer holiday town, my options are, well…different.

There’s no barista. And there’s only one spa in town. It’s mostly facials and skincare products. But one of the treatments they offer is lymphatic drainage. (France doesn’t really do deep tissue massage, but that’s a conversation for another day.)

I’d heard the term before, and—just based on the words alone—I understand the mechanistic idea.

But beyond trend marketing, I wanted to know:

• What does lymphatic drainage actually do?

• And is it helpful (or not) for postpartum recovery?

I went down the research rabbit hole. Here’s what I found.

💧 Your Other Circulatory System

The lymphatic system runs alongside your blood vessels, but instead of moving blood, it circulates lymph: a clear fluid that carries immune cells, proteins, excess fluid, and cellular waste. It’s your body’s clean-up and defense system in one.

Unlike blood, lymph doesn’t have a heart to pump it. It relies on breathing, muscle movement, and external pressure to flow. So when things slow down, like after surgery, illness, or just sitting still too long, lymph can get stuck.

That stagnation shows up as swelling, puffiness, heaviness, or fatigue.

🍯 Why Does Lymph Get Stuck?

• Immobility or long periods of rest

• Hormonal shifts (like during pregnancy or postpartum)

• Infections, inflammation, or chronic illness

• Scar tissue from surgery (like C-sections)

• Compression from clothing or body positioning

Despite its importance, most of us rarely hear about the lymphatic system.

But interest is growing, especially in therapies that help support healthy flow.

💆‍♀️ What Lymphatic Drainage Can Do

Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) is a light, rhythmic massage designed to support lymph flow through surface-level vessels and toward drainage points. While often marketed for “de-puffing,” research shows it can offer real benefits for women.

🦵🏼 Less Swelling, More Comfort

MLD is well known for helping reduce edema, the swelling that happens when fluid builds up in your tissues. Studies show that MLD can:

• Lower leg swelling during pregnancy

• Reduce limb volume in women with or at risk for lymphedema

• Help move excess fluid out of the body more effectively

🧠 Relief from Fatigue and Pain

Even without visible swelling, MLD may help:

• Reduce pain intensity

• Increase pain tolerance

• Ease muscle tension and feelings of heaviness

• Improve overall quality of life in women with chronic fatigue or fibromyalgia

In one study, healthy women reported their legs felt significantly lighter, more relaxed, and less tired after just one session.

👩🏻‍🍼 Support During Postpartum Recovery

Research on postpartum use is limited, but early evidence suggests that MLD may:

• Reduce swelling after birth

• Relieve pain from C-sections or perineal trauma

• Support healing by helping the body clear out waste and inflammation

• Relieve breast engorgement and possibly reduce the risk of mastitis

• Promote calm through gentle touch and relaxation

👀 From Medical to Aesthetic and Back Again

Lymphatic drainage first gained attention in the beauty world. Praised for “de-puffing” effects, it became popular in spa settings for reducing bloating, sculpting the face or body, and enhancing skin appearance.

But beyond aesthetics, MLD supports important physiological processes. That said, not all studies agree on how effective it is, and more research (especially in postpartum women) is still needed.

Still, for many women, MLD can be a low-risk, high-comfort option to support recovery, energy, and ease.

💬 Have you seen results with lymphatic drainage? Reply and let me know!