THE CONVERSATION: Can you really drain your lymphatic system, and should you? (opens original article in a new tab)

The article explains the lymphatic system's role in immunity and fluid drainage, discusses lymphoedema as a condition caused by poor lymphatic function, and notes that manual lymphatic drainage lacks strong scientific support for treating it or improving skin health.

• The lymphatic system is a network of vessels that carry lymph, a fluid containing white blood cells to fight infection.
• Lymphoedema occurs when the lymphatic system doesn't drain properly, causing swelling and increasing infection risk.
• Manual lymphatic drainage has limited evidence for treating lymphoedema and no proven benefits for skin health.