Lymphatic massages are trendy. But should you actually get one? - USA TODAY

[Hannah Yasharoff]

Trendy wellness spaces that offer lymphatic massages often use buzzwords such as "sculpt," "detox" and "boost your wellness." In these wellness communities, there's an underlying sentiment that this type of massage is a more natural alternative to plastic surgery, helping users to re-shape parts of their body to appear slimmer or more defined.

But that's not why lymphatic massages were created: They were created as a treatment for a condition called lymphedema.

"In wellness circles there is a lot of talk about lymphatic massage not as a way to treat lymphedema, but as a wellness adjunct," Dr. Beth Oller tells USA TODAY. "While there is good research and data regarding the helpfulness of lymphatic massage in treating medical conditions, there is less so when it comes to using it for wellness purposes."

Here's what medical experts want you to know about lymphatic massages before trying one on your own.

What is lymphatic massage?​

Lymphatic massage, also known as manual lymph drainage (MLD), is a technique used on the face or whole body to transport stagnant lymph fluid when lymph nodes aren't moving fluid on their own, according to a review published in the Journal of Manual and Manipulative Therapy (JMMT).

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The practice was first used clinically in the 1930s, and is most commonly used to treat lymphedema. It's a chronic condition caused by lymph fluid building up between the skin and muscles, causing swelling and making it more difficult for your body to fight infections and diseases, according to the National Cancer Institute.

Lymphatic congestion can be caused by a wide variety of issues, from cancer or tissue injuries to food allergies or lack of exercise, per the JMMT review. If a doctor has diagnosed you with such congestion, then lymphatic massage could be a helpful treatment.

"The massage works by moving lymph fluid toward the lymph nodes so that it can be reabsorbed, which can be particularly helpful after surgery or injury," Oller explains. "The lymphatic system collects the lymph fluid and returns it to your heart, and when there is an issue with this process lymph can collect in the affected part of the body causing swelling that can be very uncomfortable and painful, and cause skin breakdown or wounds at times."

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How do you know if you need a lymphatic massage?​

Social media posts about lymphatic massages would have people believe that anybody experiencing bloating or swelling needs lymphatic massage to fix it. That's not the case, Oller says.

Before-and-after photos of lymphatic massages may show the face or bod look more defined or less puffy afterward, though experts note that this isn't a permanent change. It's not like the procedure suddenly changed your bone structure or weight.

"We know that massage can be helpful for stress management and relaxation, and I would think that lymphatic massage could have this positive effect as well," Oller says. "It also could improve skin appearance if there is swelling in a particular area, however there is no research showing that it can cause weight loss, detoxification or other things that I sometimes see claims of."

There are a number of health conditions that should exclude you from getting a lymphatic massage, including major heart conditions, blood clots and malignant tumors, according to the JMMT review. And make sure you're going to a qualified practitioner if they weren't the one who referred you to the massage, as a lymphatic massage done incorrectly can actually cause more fluid buildup, Oller adds.

"I would always recommend if there is a change in baseline health, like bloating or swelling that has not been noted before, that someone would contact their family doctor and be evaluated before pursuing a treatment such as lymphatic massage," she says.