Wooden serrated massage board - Small size 
Maderotherapy or lymphatic drainage: which should you choose?
Maderotherapy or lymphatic drainage These two massages are the talk of the town for a reason. They combine well-being, aesthetics and genuine circulatory comfort. Yet their promises, sensations and results differ significantly.
👉 In this comprehensive and honest guide, discover how to choose the method that's right for you, combine them intelligently and get visible results, without illusions.
⏱️ No time to read it all? Here are the essentials:
- Lymphatic drainage Deflates, lightens legs, visually refines. Fast results (24-72 hours), mainly linked to water and circulation.
- Wood therapy Smoothes cellulite, tones the skin and sculpts contours. Progressive results (4-6 weeks), requires regularity.
- 👉 The winning combo Start with drainage to relieve congestion, then move on to maderotherapy to reshape the body.
Contents
Why these techniques are so popular today
- 100% natural and non-invasive
- Visible results on the figure (decongestion, visual refinement, smoother skin)
- Activation of key physiological mechanisms: lymphatic return, microcirculation, tissue flexibility, etc.
- Deep nervous calming (less stress, better sleep, "relaxed" stomach)
Understanding your lymphatic system in 60 seconds
The lymph drains waste products, excess water and immune cells to the lymph nodes and then to the bloodstream.
When this flow slows down (sedentary lifestyle, hormonal cycles, travel, heat, post-op), we swell up, feel heavy and the skin looks less smooth.
💡 Stimulating this circuit encourages a "drier, more fluid" environment where the skin and tissues behave better.
Lymphatic drainage (classic and Brazilian): deflate, detoxify, soothe
The method
- Classic (Vodder) Very gentle, superficial and rhythmic manoeuvres. Therapeutic and relaxing version.
- Brazilian More dynamic, faster and firmer. Immediate effect on stomach and legs, feeling lighter.
What you can expect
- Rapid deflation (water, bloating, heavy legs)
- Visually slimmer waist, flatter stomach
- Brighter skin
- Post-trip or post-cycle recovery
- Post-op (with medical approval): helps reduce oedema
What it's not
❌ Not a fat burner. The effect is mainly related to decongestion and water loss.
Recommended rhythm
- Radiance boost: 1 session
- Silhouette cure: 1-2 / week for 3-4 weeks
- Maintenance: 1 / month
- Key periods: PMS, heatwave, travel, return to sport
Wood therapy: remodelling, smoothing, toning
The method
From anatomical wooden tools (rollers, mushrooms, suction cups, boards) to stimulate circulation, fascias and fluids.
What you can expect
- Progressively smoother orange-peel skin
- Sharper contours (waist, thighs, buttocks, arms)
- Improved skin tone
- Relaxing after-effect
What it's not
❌ Not a "break" in fat, but a tissue mobilisation and stimulates microcirculation.
Recommended rhythm
- Active phase: 1-2 / week for 4-6 weeks
- Interview: 1 / month or mini-sessions at home
Maderotherapy or lymphatic drainage: how do you choose?
✅ Opt for drainage if
- Water retention, heavy legs, swollen belly
- Returning from a flight or a hot spell
- You have just had surgery (with medical approval)
- You want a gentle, relaxing treatment
✅ Opt for maderotherapy if
- Visible cellulite with dimples
- You want to target specific areas
- You can tolerate a higher intensity
Spoiler: the winning duo
- Phase 1 (site first) 1-2 drainages/week for 2-3 weeks
- Phase 2 (sculpt) 1-2 maderotherapies/week for 4-6 weeks
- Care instructions Alternate drainage and madero depending on the season
What science says
- Drainage : proven effects on oedema and lymphoedema improves lymph flow and reduces heaviness. Aesthetic effects linked mainly to water.
- Wood therapy Cellulite: few studies, but plausible mechanisms (fascias, microcirculation). Results vary according to the type of cellulite and regularity.
Contraindications
Communes infection, fever, open wound, phlebitis, heart failure, cancer, acute inflammation.
Pregnancy/breastfeeding avoid the abdomen + seek medical advice.
Madero specific Varicose veins, fragile capillaries, anticoagulants, reactive skin.
What does a session look like?
Drainage (45-75 min)
- Unlocking lymph nodes
- Targeted manoeuvres
- Sensation: relaxation, calmed breathing, zero pain
Madero therapy (60-75 min)
- Gliding oil, tissue heating
- Tools zone by zone
- Sensation: it's "working" but ultimately soothing
Optimising your results: 10 micro-habits
- Mineralized water (30-35 ml/kg/day)
- Diaphragmatic breathing 3×/day
- 20-30 min walk after the session
- Limit salt, favour magnesium/potassium
- Warm showers + cool jets
- Loose-fitting clothes on the big day
- Fibre + lean protein diet
- Sleep before midnight
- Self-drainage 5-7 min
- Consistency > intensity
Ready-to-follow protocols
7-day light stomach plan
- Day 1: Drainage (Brazilian if preferred)
- D1-J7: 2L water/day, 30-minute walk, early dinner
- Day 4: Legs and stomach session
- Day 7: Self-drainage + Epsom salt bath
6 weeks smooth silhouette" plan
- S1-S2: 1 drainage/week
- S3-S6: 1-2 madero/week + lower body toning
- Every week: dry brushing, caffeine/peptide cream in the morning, nourishing oil in the evening
At home: simple and effective
- Dry brushing Time: 3-5 min
- Belly self-drainage gentle circles towards the groin
- Massage with Madero therapy tools : 8-10 min / zone, 3-4×/week
- Topicals : caffeine, escine, niacinamide, retinol body
Results: realistic but visible
- Immediate (24-72h) swelling, sharper contours
- Cumulative (4-8 weeks) Smooth texture, increased tone
- Variables sleep, hormones, sodium, regularity
Express FAQs
- Does it hurt? Drainage: no. Madero: sensitive but tolerable.
- Blue? Rare in drainage, adjust pressure in madero.
- Weight loss? No. Loss of water and cm: yes.
- Post-partum? Wait for medical clearance, avoid the abdomen.
Conclusion
👉 Drainage "clears the ground".
👉 Maderotherapy sculpts this now fluid terrain.
The choice between maderotherapy or lymphatic drainage is clear: together, they form a complementary duo that soothes, visually refines and reconciles with the mirror.
The secret? A step-by-step strategy, a consistent lifestyle and regularity.
Summary table
| Technical | Main objective | Intensity / sensation | Visible results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lymphatic drainage | Decongestion, lightness | Gentle to firm, very relaxing | Rapid (24-72 h) |
| Wood therapy | Smoothing, reshaping | Intense, sometimes sensitive | Progressive (4-6 weeks) |
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