Dry Brushing For Improving Lymphatic Drainage And Detox

If the lymphatic system becomes stagnant, toxins and waste from lymph, organs, tissues, and cells can build up. (Remember everything higher on the drainage funnel can’t be eliminated, if the lymph is blocked, see this post for details on the drainage funnel). This build up of toxins can cause immune dysfunction, skin issues, weight gain, brain fog, bloating, fatigue, and other health problems. (1)

Dry brushing is a helpful tool for improving lymphatic drainage. Since your lymphatic system doesn’t have a pump, like your cardiovascular system does, it relies on other things like exercise, movement, dry brushing, sweating, and hot and cold exposure to help move it.

Dry brushing is when you brush your skin, while dry, with a natural soft bristle brush (preferably with a long handle so you can get your back too!) or with a gua sha (a small wooden, metal, or stone tool used in traditional Chinese medicine) in the direction of your lymphatic flow to stimulate movement and unclog block up areas.

Dry brushing also helps exfoliate your skin, remove dead skin, and open clogged pores which helps your skin to better eliminate toxins through sweat.

Improving lymph flow through dry brushing may also help get rid of/prevent cellulite.

How Do You Dry Brush?

1) First of all, it’s important to understand that the lymphatic system flows in a particular way and it’s important to brush in the direction of lymphatic flow to effectively increase flow and avoid stagnation. (See direction of lymphatic flow in picture above). Also when you’re brushing, avoid any areas with abrasions or rashes, and sensitive areas such as your face, breasts and private parts.

2) Use your brush or gua sha to brush your bare skin in the direction of your lymphatic flow. Don’t brush too hard! The key is to be gentle enough to stimulate the flow of lymph yet use enough pressure to get things moving. Your skin should be slightly pink but it shouldn’t be red or scratched after. Note it’s best to do dry brushing earlier in the day because it can be energizing.

3) Start brushing on your lower abdomen. Brush in small strokes up towards your heart. Brush each area with about 5-10 strokes, you can spend more time on problem areas with backed up lymph if you wish.

4) Then brush the upper quadrant of your torso with small strokes towards the closer armpit. Brush from all angles (front, back, sides, and shoulder). Then brush the upper arm in small strokes towards your armpit. Then do the same on the lower arm and then hands.

5) Then work your way back up the arms, again with small strokes towards the armpit. Starting with your hands, then lower arm, then upper arm.

6) Then revisit the upper quadrant, but this time briefly brush towards your heart not your armpit. The purpose of this is to redirect some lymph towards your heart drainage so too much doesn’t build up at your armpits.

7) Repeat the same upper body brushing on the other side.

8) For your legs, start with the upper leg and brush in small strokes towards the groin. Remember to work all around your leg. Then do the same with your knee, then lower leg, then ankle and foot.

9) Then work your way back up the leg starting with your foot and ankle, then lower leg, then knee, then upper leg. Remember to get around your entire leg and continue to brush towards your groin.

10) Repeat the same thing for your other leg.

11) Then return to your lower abdomen and brush up towards the heart.

12) Finally rinse off in the shower (preferably cold) to remove the dead skin that got brushed up. Then you may apply a little oil or moisturizer if you wish.

(1, 2, 3, 4, 5)

P.S. If you’d like to learn more about detoxing and cleansing check out my in depth guide on how to detox and cleanse your body.

Works Cited

1. Katja. Savory Lotus. Accessed 11 June 2021. https://www.instagram.com/savorylotus/

2. “Lymphatic Skin Brushing for Breast And Body Health.” Circuelle Foundation. Accessed 11 June 2021. https://www.circuellefoundation.org/blog/item/lymphatic-skin-brushing-for-breast-and-body-health.html

3. Wells, Katie. “Dry Brushing for Skin: 5 Benefits & How to Do It the Right Way.” Wellness Mama. 8 January 2021. https://wellnessmama.com/26717/dry-brushing-skin/

4. “Dry Brushing for Lymphatic Drainage – Shown the Best way by a Lymphedema Physical Therapist.” Youtube, Uploaded by Cancer Rehab PT. 6 October 2020. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1YnVb9Ie-r0

5. Gould, Wendy. “Everything You Should Know About Dry Brushing.” The Klog. 20 January 2017. https://theklog.co/dry-brushing/