Lymphatic drainage massage is a special type of massage that reduces swelling and inflammation. Think of the lymphatic system as the body’s sewerage system, it carries fluid—which contains proteins, salts, water and white blood cells—throughout the body to the blood. As part of the immune system, lymph nodes help filter out foreign substances (like infections) before that fluid enters the central venous system.. It can help treat lymphedema as well as post-surgical swelling, edema, sinus congestion, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, lipedema and chronic venous insufficiency.