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C h e c k o u t A B M P 's l a t e s t n e w s a n d b l o g p o s t s . Av a i l a b l e a t w w w. a b m p . c o m . 71 massage done on the skin and fascia by directly affecting physiological systems that aid in getting rid of edema and edematous conditions. Because we are directly tapping into the client's physiological systems, both acupressure and essential oils prolong the effects of lymphatic drainage massage. When choosing essential oils, therapists should make selections based on the guiding goals for choosing acupressure points. Depending on what health issues are most important to address, the therapist may choose a variety of oils. In massage therapy, it's usually inflammation accompanied by pain that gets addressed first. A GLOBAL APPROACH TO LYMPHATIC DRAINAGE MASSAGE Resources Flaws, B. Sticking to the Point—A Step-by-Step Approach to TCM Acupuncture Therapy. 2nd ed. Boulder: Blue Poppy Press, 2007. Hui-chan, Y., and H. Fu-ru. Golden Needle Wang Le-Ting. Boulder: Blue Poppy Press, 1997. Jwing-Ming, Y. Chinese QiGong Massage. Jamaica Plain, MA: YMAA Publications Center, 1992. Kasseroller, R. Compendium for Dr. Vodder's Manual Lymphatic Drainage. Heidelberg, Germany: Heidelberg and Haug Press, 1998. Lawless, J. B. The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils. New York: Noble Books, 1995. Lee, M. Insights of a Senior Acupuncturist. Boulder: Blue Poppy Press, 1992. Travell, J., and D. Simon. Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction: The Trigger Point Manual—The Lower Extremities. Baltimore: Williams and Wilkins, 1992. Schnaubelt, K. Advanced Aromatherapy: The Science of Essential Oil Therapy. Rochester, VT: Healing Arts Press, 1998. Selye, H. "Stress and Distress." Science 122 (October 1955): 629–31. Shutes, J., and C. Weaver. Aromatherapy for Bodyworkers. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall Health, 2008. Utilize lymphatic massage, with essential oils, toward the two thoracic ducts. A good protocol to follow, then, would be to use lavender and chamomile for pain and inflammation; grapefruit for detoxifying the lymphatic flow; cypress for increasing general circulation; and peppermint for boosting the immune system. These oils can be applied in layers by using two drops each on the acupressure point after applying a general massage oil first, like jojoba oil, which can act as a carrier oil; do not place the pure oils directly on the skin. Alternatively, therapists can mix these oils in an 8-ounce bottle containing jojoba oil or any other carrier oil. The therapist can either select one each of the previously mentioned oils or several oils of each category. A typical formula for a lymphatic session would look like this: 14–16 drops each of lavender, grapefruit, cypress, and peppermint. If, however, the emphasis is on anti-inflammation and pain control, then the therapist could choose a combination of 14–16 drops each of lavender and chamomile, 8–10 drops of cypress and peppermint, and 5–6 drops of grapefruit. The application with the essential oils alone can be one of simply rubbing them on the site of pain and/or the acupressure points by rotating the finger of application counterclockwise with very light pressure for about a minute (Image 7). If premixed with a carrier oil, then the therapist again applies the mixture lightly with long stripping strokes, starting proximally to the major lymph nodes and then working distally. Because of the complex and chronic issues inherent in clients with lymphatic disorders, a multilevel approach consisting of essential oils, acupressure, and lymphatic drainage massage is necessary for successfully treating the client holistically. Try applying these principles to help edema- ridden clients regain their health. Notes 1. Miriam Lee, Insights of a Senior Acupuncturist (Boulder: Blue Poppy Press, 1992). 2. Yu Hui-chan and Han Fu-ru, Golden Needle Wang Le-Ting (Boulder: Blue Poppy Press, 1997). 3. Hans Selye, "Stress and Distress," Science 122 (October 1955): 625–31. 4. Janet Travell and David Simon, Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction: The Trigger Point Manual—The Lower Extremities (Baltimore: Williams and Wilkins, 1992): 429–32. 5. Kurt Schnaubelt, Advanced Aromatherapy: The Science of Essential Oil Therapy (Rochester, VT: Healing Arts Press, 1998). Wolfgang Luckmann is an acupuncture physician and massage therapist who teaches workshops all across the country—most are based in traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurvedic philosophy. In 2015, he was inducted into the Massage Therapy Hall of Fame. For more information, visit www.wolfgangluckmann.com. 7