Interview with two practitioners
, on the benefits of lymphatic drainage, particularly the Renata França technique.
During this interview with professionals who practice lymphatic drainage,
We answer questions frequently asked by our patients.
Could you explain the benefits and principles of lymphatic drainage (regardless of the technique used), its effects on tissue, and the areas it targets (body, face)?
Lymph is the interstitial fluid that circulates in our bodies and enables exchanges between the blood and cells. It is transported by the lymphatic vessels and passes through the lymph nodes, where it is filtered and cleaned.
All of this forms the lymphatic system, a network that runs parallel to and is inseparable from the blood system. The blood system is regulated by the contraction of the heart (between 60 and 80 beats per minute), while the lymphatic system depends on muscle contractions. Its flow is therefore much slower. A defect in this circulation leads to poor lymph filtration and an accumulation of waste products in the lymphatic system. Various pathologies cause lymphatic disorders: edema of neurological origin,lymphedemadue to traumatic or surgical lymphatic injury, lymphedema due to obstruction of the lymphatic pathways (infectious and parasitic diseases and cancers).
Lymphatic drainage accelerates and increases the flow ofthe lymphatic system. It involves massaging one or more areas depending on the technique and condition being treated. This treatment is painless and generally soothing and pleasant to receive.
By accelerating lymph flow, drainage helps eliminate toxins, improves nutrient supply to tissues, promotes hormone circulation, removes excess water, and boosts immunity. Depending on the technique used, the areas treated will vary: lower limbs, abdomen, upper limbs, face, etc.
Can you describe the benefits of lymphatic drainage for patients with lipedema before surgery? And after surgery?
On the one hand, even though it is primarily a disorder of adipose tissue, lymphedema is a secondary consequence of lipedema. Drainage will therefore be extremely beneficial in theoverall treatment of this condition.
On the other hand, we know that surgery means anesthesia, medication, reduced physical activity, and physical and psychological stress.
Stress causes high levels of cortisol in the blood. If this becomes chronic, it leads to sodium retention and therefore the appearance of edema. Removing this excess hormone helps prevent water retention and promotes physical and psychological calm.
In the preoperative setting, drainage will help prepare the body for an influx of toxins and organic waste. After drainage, the capillaries will be drained, toxins eliminated, and the body purified and therefore more efficient. The body will cope better with the operation and recover more quickly if it starts out "clean."
In general, we always recommend a healthy diet, limiting gluten, sugar, salt, fats, and pro-inflammatory dairy products.
Lymphatic drainage begins after the operation, once the surgeon has given their approval. This massage helps to remove fluids and toxins that have accumulated during the operation and prevents the appearance of edema, bruising, and fibrosis, which are the major enemies of surgery.
In all cases, drainage remains a very gentle relaxation treatment that provides a feeling of well-being and lightness. The oxytocin released by the treatment helps to reduce anxiety and the after-effects of the operation.
Which drainage technique are you trained in (Renanta, Leduc, Vodder, etc.)? Could you describe them in detail, including the advantages and disadvantages of each?
We are trained in the Leduc technique and the Brazilian method developed by Renata França.
Pioneers in lymphatic drainage, the Vodder and Leduc methods are known as "traditional."
Regardless of the protocol used, it treats problems such as water retention, lymphedema, lipedema, and post-operative edema, and is recommended for pregnant women.
The Renata França method is also highly acclaimed for combating cellulite, its effects on weight loss, body refinement, silhouette restructuring, and metabolism acceleration.
Traditional methods target specific parts of the body for drainage (one or both legs, one or both arms), whereas the Renata França method systematically drains the entire body, front and back!
The pressure applied using traditional methods is very light, the rhythm very slow, and it is performed without oil, unlike the Renata França method, which calls for medium pressure, a fast rhythm, and the use of massage oil.
The huge difference lies in when the results appear. The Renata França method is the only technique currently available that delivers immediate results, right from the very first session!
How often do you recommend lymphatic drainage? Could you tell me how long a drainage session lasts? What are the different stages involved? How many sessions are needed after surgery?
As mentioned above, the two types of methods have different effects: the traditional method is targeted, while the Renata França method is comprehensive. As a result, the duration of the treatment is different: 20 minutes per limb for the traditional method, compared to an average of 1 hour and 15 minutes for the Brazilian method.
The Leduc method and the Renata França method are similar in many ways.
We start from the proximal to the distal, stimulating the various ganglia/lymph nodes and then draining the lymph towards them. In a Renata França session, we start with the lower limbs, then the abdomen, the upper limbs, and finally the posterior side of the body.
The number of post-operative sessions required always depends on the patient's initial condition, metabolism, reaction to the procedure, and the complexity of the procedure itself. We recommend a course of five sessions, starting with drainage and then alternating with remodeling. This other Renata França protocol is used after drainage, once excess water and waste have been removed. It treats tissue, fat cells, and fibrotic areas.
Although it is possible to drain the body every day, we recommend one treatment per week for three weeks in order to "shock" the lymphatic system. We then reassess the situation and space out subsequent sessions as needed.
Disorders of the lymphatic system are often chronic and will require long-term maintenance.
Are you familiar with other techniques that can be combined with lymphatic drainage (such as pressotherapy, CelluM6 cryotherapy, ultrasound, etc.)?
The Renata França method does not include any techniques associated with her treatments because it stimulates the entire lymphatic system. However, there are other techniques that work in parallel with lymphatic drainage, such as pressotherapy and cryotherapy (analgesic and vasoconstrictive).
These techniques are not a substitute for manual drainage but can be an ally in the fight against edema.
CelluM6 sometimes has the disadvantage of a rebound effect. This can occur when treatment is stopped and cause fat cells to reappear in the treated areas.
Is lymphatic drainage treatment covered by insurance?
Social security covers the cost of traditional manual lymphatic drainage in only three situations:
- True lymphedema (following surgery and/or radiation therapy, congenital lymphedema),
- Venous insufficiency of the lower limbs, provided that there is "joint repercussions and/or trophic disorders,"
- Lymphedema of the upper limb after breast cancer treatment.
Outside of these conditions, regardless of the method used, lymphatic drainage is not covered by social security. The rates are therefore not included in the official price list.