1. Massage accelerates the flow of lymph through out the body. This is important as the lymphatic is not a closed circuit like the cardiovascular system, which also has a pump
2. Pressure on the tissues aids absorption, so waste products are absorbed into the lymphatic system and eliminated from the system more quickly than they would normally be
3. 'Old' swellings, due to past injuries can be reduced
4. Massage strengthens the immune system by encouraging the growth of 'T' cells, which play a role in cell mediated immunuty
5. Effects of massage on the respiratory system aslo aid lymphatic drainage