Massage Therapy Journal Spring 2026

38 • Massage Therapy Journal

AMTA Continuing Education

• Menstruation—MLD can increase the flow. After taking a thorough intake and talking to your client, if you still feel unsure about performing MLD, check with their primary care provider for guidance. Sample Facial Massage Protocol: Stimulating Lymph in Facial Massage Lymph work should be started at the point where you would like the fluid to flow. So, if we are working on the face and we want the fluid from the face to flow to the lowest lymph ducts, we would first stimulate the axillary lymph ducts, followed by the thoracic lymph ducts. Start by sweeping the neck in a downward direction before moving on to opening the submandible and cervical lymph ducts. From there, work the three sections in the face, always encouraging the lymph fluid to drain in a downward direction. Always begin at the lowest point of the lymph ducts and move upward. When we want to increase the blood flow during the facial part of this massage, we will be working with the theory that we need to “lift” the skin and muscles so that we encourage the face to become sculpted and firm. Here, we will work more in an upward direction, the opposite direction of the lymph part of the massage. Stimulating the Lymph Areas for the Facial Massage: • Have your client lay on their back. • Place the tips of your fingers on the axillary lymph nodes and under light to moderate pressure massage the nodes in a circular motion (5–6 times). • Place your hands on the upper part of the rib cage (mainly on the sternum). Pump 5–6 times. • Next, place your hands on each side of the base of the client’s neck, on the junction area of the thoracic duct . Apply light pressure (pumping action). Pump 5–6 times. • Using light circular motions, start at the clavicle and move up toward the jawbone. Start medial,

moving out about one inch before starting the process again until you have gone as far lateral

on the neck, near the ear, as you can. • Place the tips of your fingers on the

submandibular lymph nodes and using light to moderate pressure massage the nodes in a circular motion, moving from the chin toward the ears (5–6 times). • Place the tips of your fingers on the cervical lymph nodes and using light to moderate pressure massage the nodes in a circular motion (5–6 times). Massage Protocols for the Face • Start by pressing the fingers of both hands to the areas just below the temples, close to the upper rims of the ears. • Applying slight pressure, slide your fingers down, all the way to the client’s clavicles. This motion will stimulate the lymphatic fluid. • Repeat this three times at the beginning of your session and once at the end of each section of the face you massage.

Photo by Mark Hanson Photogrpahy

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