Lymphatic Drainage: What the Chair Can and Cannot Do

Manual lymphatic drainage is a treatment performed by a therapist; it is not a massage chair program. A massage chair can mimic a similar direction of movement, but it does not replace it. This distinction is important if you have been diagnosed with lymphedema.

What the Lymphatic System Does

Blood vessels supply the tissues, while lymph vessels remove the fluid that is produced in the process. If the lymphatic system is impaired, this fluid accumulates, leading to swelling, medically known as edema. Common causes include surgery, injuries, and vascular diseases.

How a Therapist Works

Manual lymphatic drainage uses very light pressure, circular strokes, and a specific sequence: first, the drainage pathways in the neck and torso are cleared, then the affected limb is treated, working from the body’s center outward. The pressure is far less than that of a traditional massage; too much force compresses the vessels instead of draining them.

What the armchair recreates

The air cushions on the calves and feet inflate one after another, from the bottom up, creating a wave toward the center of the body. This is pleasant and beneficial for tired legs after a long day.

However, if you have been diagnosed with lymphedema, treatment should be entrusted to a specialist, and you should consult your doctor before using an armchair.

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Back to the overview: Massage Chair Technology Explained in Simple Terms