- Published
If she's ever feeling bloated, Abbey Alexandra has a go-to routine, using body oil and a wooden roller to perform stomach massages.
asserted
Alexandra → publish → massages
She shares before-and-after videos on TikTok, saying she feels the process leaves her depuffed and defined: "You definitely feel a lot better after, they are relaxing."
asserted
they → share → her
The technique is a form of lymphatic drainage massage, adapted from a medical treatment and shared as a beauty trend.
asserted
technique → adapt → trend
Celebrity fans include Maya Jama, who shares her clinic sessions, and actress Hailey Bieber, who told Time magazine: "I swear by them."
asserted
I → include → them
Whether there is a physical change - or any need for one - is debatable, but fans of the massages claim they help "flatten" and "debloat" and give a "snatched waist" and "sculpted abs".
uncertain
they → be → waist
But what's actually happening to their bodies?
asserted
what → happen → bodies
What do the videos show?
asserted
videos → show → What
Many videos on social media promoting lymphatic massage show a woman either standing sideways, facing the front or perhaps lying down with her stomach showing a slight - and very normal - curve outwards.
asserted
stomach → promote → curve
Then begins the methodical massage in circular motions seemingly draining fluid away.
asserted
massage → begin → fluid
By the end, her stomach appears flatter - if a little red.
asserted
stomach → appear → end
But social media body trends should always be viewed with scepticism, says Dr Ella Guest, senior research fellow and health psychologist at the Centre for Appearance Research based at the University of the West of England.
asserted
Guest → view → England
"These images might be altered using photo-editing tools or filters, people standing in particular poses, use of lighting, lots could even be AI-generated," she says.
"
uncertain
she → alter → lighting
I think stopping to reflect on what you see and questioning whether it looks realistic, or if it's very aligned with beauty standards, can be useful.
asserted
it → think → standards
Remember, if something looks too good to be true, it probably is.
asserted
it → remember → ?
The lymphatic system is a network of channels and glands throughout the body that helps fight infection and remove excess fluid, according to the NHS.
uncertain
that → help → NHS
Dr Xand van Tulleken tells Morning Live that the lymphatic system helps remove excess fluid from tissues and supports the immune system.
"
asserted
system → tell → system
When it is not working properly, it can contribute to swelling, which can be a condition called lymphoedema.
asserted
which → work → swelling
This commonly affects people who have cancers that involve the lymph system or who've had treatment involving the lymph nodes.
asserted
who → affect → nodes
It causes swelling in any part of the body, but usually develops in the arms or legs.
asserted
It → cause → arms
"In simple terms, the lymphatic system helps keep your body's fluid levels balanced, cleans up waste, and supports your defences against illness," says van Tulleken.
asserted
Tulleken → keep → illness
What's the massage doing?
asserted
massage → do → What
Dr Xand says manual lymphatic drainage is one of a range of treatments used by medical professionals "if your lymphatic system isn't working as it should".
asserted
it → say → professionals
He describes it as using "light pressure" and "strategic massage techniques" to "clear" your lymphatic system.
"They'll coax excess lymph fluid from your swollen tissues toward your lymph nodes, where the lymph can reabsorb," he says - adding lymph nodes are found in the armpits, neck and groin.
asserted
nodes → describe → armpits
He adds that these massages can be a "safe way" to relieve symptoms for conditions like lymphoedema but are not suitable for some people with pre-existing medical conditions.
asserted
massages → add → conditions
He stresses: "No one should get their health advice from Instagram - far safer to use the NHS website, or consult your GP."
asserted
one → stress → GP
Abbey, who has endometriosis which she says causes her to feel bloated, began doing her own massage routines twice a week aer seeing social media posts about lymphatic drainage.
asserted
her → have → drainage
"I started using my hands and then I bought some wooden tools as well.
asserted
I → start → tools
"After doing my routine, I personally feel less puffy and bloated, particularly around my stomach.
asserted
I → do → stomach
Visually, I notice that my stomach looks a little more defined and I also feel lighter and more comfortable."
asserted
I → notice → ?
Does it work?
asserted
it → work → ?
Dr Xand says there is "no need" for most people to perform lymphatic drainage treatments at home.
asserted
people → say → home
"There is very little high-quality evidence showing they provide meaningful or lasting benefits for healthy individuals, and it does not promote fat loss," he says.
asserted
he → be → loss
But he does note that lymphatic drainage massages can feel "relaxing" and some people "can notice a temporary reduction in swelling".
asserted
people → note → swelling
"For most healthy people, regular movement, exercise and staying hydrated are all that's needed to support normal lymphatic function," he says.
asserted
he → stay → function
"Unless someone has a diagnosed lymphatic condition, I don't think anyone needs routine lymphatic drainage treatments, despite the growing popularity of these practices on social media."
asserted
anyone → have → media
For Abbey, it's something she enjoys.
asserted
she → enjoy → Abbey
"I know the visual difference is temporary...
asserted
difference → know → ?
But I do like how I look and feel afterwards so it'll always be a part of my routine."
asserted
it → like → routine
However, Guest warns striving for a sculpted stomach could "feed into people's insecurities".
uncertain
striving → warn → insecurities
"We know that when we compare ourselves online and try to live up to these trends, we tend to scrutinise our appearance more and feel less satisfied with how we look," she says.
asserted
she → know → appearance
…and 1 more, not listed.
The Aporia
