Simple lymphatic drainage is a form of gentle massage to help move fluid away from a congested area towards healthy lymph nodes where it can be drained more effectively. It is one of the four main treatments used to help manage lymphoedema and should be used alongside skincare, exercise and the use of compression garments. Your lymphoedema practitioner will instruct you on the technique, Ideally the routine should be completed once a day and should take around 15 minutes to complete. Do not perform the massage if you feel unwell or have an infection.
The instructions are outlined below
Sequence of Actions for Simple Lymphatic Drainage
| Steps | Sequence of Actions | Repetitions |
| 1 | Deep breathing exercises | 5 |
| 2 | Downward movement of skin just below ears with flat of fingers, stretching skin, then (keeping contact with skin) allowing skin to return to normal position. | 5 |
| 3 | Downward movement of skin at one point further down neck. | 5 |
| 4 | Gentle inward scooping movement with two finger tips in the hollows on both sides of the neck above the collar bones. | 5 |
| 5 | Repeat numbers 2, 3 and 4. | twice more |
| 6 | Circular, upward movement of skin in armpit on affected side. | 10 |
| 7 | Move flat of hand onto chest next armpit on the affected side. Stretch skin upwards towards armpit, release pressure, allowing skin to move back itself. Include all areas above the waist on the affected side. | 5 |
| 8 | Move hand to various positions down to waist level and repeat as for number 7. Always moving skin up towards the armpit. | 5 |
| 9 | Move hand to below the waist and repeat as for number 7, including top of leg if required. | 5 |
| 10 | Repeat numbers 6, 7, 8 and 9. | twice more |
| 11 | If both legs are swollen repeat whole sequence on the other side. | 3 |
| 12 | Repeat the deep breathing exercises. | 5 |