What is lymphatic drainage jumps and will they help with edema and cellulite

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

A life hacker understands how a popular technique works.

"Must-have in the morning", "know-how to preserve youth and beauty" - this is the name of the lymphatic drainage jumps of the girl on Instagram, who start their day with this practice. Exercise is positioned as a way to disperse the lymph and thereby relieve puffiness, get rid of cellulite, remove a double chin, maintain youth and health. The technique is attractive for its simplicity and the fact that it takes 2-3 minutes to complete. But is one exercise really capable of such impressive results?

What is lymphatic drainage jumping

Proponents of natural methods of rejuvenation and healing call lymphatic drainage small jumps that cause vibration in the body. In medicine, there is no such concept - unlike lymphatic drainage massage, which is used, in particular, in the treatment of edema.

What are the techniques of lymphatic drainage jumping

The most common are two. One of them is popularized by Natalia Osminina, the author of the rejuvenation method based on the biomechanics of the body. Academician Alexander Mikulin suggested another in 1977. It is noteworthy that none of them has a medical education.

Technique by Natalia Osminina

Osminina recommends doing every morning:

• 100 small and fast jumps on toes, practically without taking them off the floor, while squeezing the muscles of the buttocks, legs and abs;
• 100 small beats with heels, making a light hit on a threshold, a book or a board about 5 cm high.

If discomfort is felt, the author advises to stay on fewer repetitions. During the exercise, girls need to hold their breasts with their hands.

This is how the process looks like.

But the first to speak about the benefits of such jumps was Academician Mikulin. True, he did not call them lymphatic drainage.

Vibration gymnastics Alexander Mikulin

Alexander Alexandrovich Mikulin is a design engineer who specialized in aircraft engines. In his book "Active aging (my system of dealing with old age)", which was published in 1977, he talked about vibro-gymnastics. It is done like this:

• Squeeze your jaw tightly.
• Raise on your toes so that your heels are about an inch from the floor, and then drop sharply. The bump should feel like when running or walking. But do not overdo it, the tremors should not cause pain in the head.
• Repeat 30 of these movements, making them slowly - no more than once a second.
• Relax for 5-10 seconds.
• Do 30 more movements.

The author recommends doing vibro-gymnastics for one minute 3-5 times a day.

Our contemporaries sometimes call the technique of Alexander Alexandrovich “lymphatic drainage jumps according to Mikulin”. The academician has nothing to do with such a name: he used the word "vibro-gymnastics".

How effective are lymphatic drainage jumps?

In the books of Mikulin and Osminina, there is no convincing justification for the effectiveness of jumps. Let's focus on scientifically proven facts and find out what results to expect from the exercise.

Proponents of the method believe that jumping has a healing effect because it normalizes the functioning of the lymphatic system. It performs vital functions in our body:

• provides fluid balance;
• participates in the absorption of fats in the intestines;
• removes decay products from the bloodstream;
• is part of the immune system.

Disruption of lymph flow can cause edema, oncology, obesity, vascular and heart disease, in particular hypertension and atherosclerosis.

Thus, normal lymph circulation is essential for our health. But can we influence this process with jumps?

The heart is a pump that makes blood circulate. But in our body there is no organ that would stimulate the movement of lymph. Its outflow occurs under the influence of several factors:

• Contraction of smooth muscle cells in the walls of the lymphatic vessels. It occurs automatically when the vessel fills with lymph.
• The movement of valves located in the lymphatic vessels. They are opened by the power of lymph flow.
• Intercellular pressure. The higher it is, the more intense the outflow of lymph.
• Contraction of skeletal muscles and pulsation of the arteries adjacent to the lymphatic vessels.
• Movement of the diaphragm during breathing.
• Compression of body tissues from the outside, for example, during a massage or when using compression garments.

When we are at rest, the lymph flow is very weak. And during exercise, it increases significantly.

With lymphatic drainage jumps, the legs move intensively. Factors that activate lymph flow are included: the skeletal muscles contract, the lymph under the influence of vibration enters the vessels, which stimulates the valves and smooth muscle cells.

In theory, exercise can clear up puffiness after sleep. But other movements, such as walking or exercising, can also cope with this task. There is no scientific evidence to suggest that vibration jumping is more effective.

Stagnation of lymph in the body can be caused by serious diseases. In this case, lymphatic drainage jumps will be ineffective, because they will not affect the true causes of edema.

This exercise alone will not get rid of cellulite. To smooth out its manifestations, you need a comprehensive approach: balanced nutrition, physical activity, skin care, medical procedures.

Both Osminina and Mikulin consider jumping as part of a comprehensive health improvement system. So you shouldn't expect a miraculous effect from exercise alone.

For whom lymphatic drainage jumps can be dangerous

Lymphatic drainage jumps will not harm a healthy person, since the vibrations during their execution are about the same in strength as when walking or running. But first you should consult with your doctor if you have:

• problems with joints and spine;
• violations of the tone of the muscles of the pelvic floor;
• diseases of the cardiovascular system (including angina pectoris, thrombophlebitis, varicose veins);
• stones in the kidneys and gallbladder.

The exercise is not recommended earlier than 3–6 months after surgery, as well as during pregnancy, lactation and heel spur.

What is the bottom line

Lymphatic drainage jumps will help to disperse lymph after sleep. Just like any other physical activity. But it will not be possible to get rid of cellulite with the help of one exercise, eliminate puffiness caused by serious diseases, and always remain young and healthy. A systematic approach is needed here.

If you regularly experience swelling, see your doctor. The doctor will find the cause and prescribe treatment.