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Step 1
Begin every lymphatic drainage session with the trunk of the body, more specifically, the stomach. Begin by applying gentle downward pressure with your entire palm under the left ribcage, working down and in towards the navel. Always press five times with the same gentle motion before moving on to the next position.
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Step 2
Move your palm just above the left hipbone, pressing gently down and in towards the navel. Again, repeat five times. Repeat the same movements above the right hipbone and below the right ribcage.
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Step 3
Center your palms around the navel and apply gentle downward pressure and ask your client to take a long, slow deep breath in, pushing slightly against your palms. On the exhale, press a bit deeper into the stomach. If you feel a pulse, you are pushing too hard.
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Step 4
Work the axillary glands by reaching your arms across your client's chest and placing your palms firmly on the side of the ribcage. The pinky finger of your upper hand should be about one inch from the crease in the armpit. Apply gentle pressure in towards the ribs and then begin a circular motion, moving down towards the table, up towards the armpit, towards the ceiling and then towards the feet. Make five circles and then repeat on the opposite side.
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Step 5
Hold your hands along the side of the neck with the same gentle pressure and make five more circles in the same direction as you did with the axillaries. From the neck, move to the "pit" just above the collarbone and repeat the circular motion, tucking your fingers underneath the collarbone.
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Step 6
Complete the lymphatic drainage of the trunk of the body by moving down to the thigh. Place your palm high up on the inner thigh, about 4 inches from the crease in the leg. Apply gentle pressure working up towards the trunk. Complete five motions and repeat on the opposite side of the body. Repeat the trunk series once and end at the stomach.
