Lymphatic massage therapy what is lymphatic massage lymphatic massage also called lymphatic drainage or manual lymph drainage is a technique developed in germany for treatment of lymphedema an accumulation of fluid that can occur after lymph nodes are removed during surgery most often a mastectomy for breast cancer lymphedema can also be present at birth or develop at puberty or during adulthood this type known as primary lymphedema can affect as many as four limbs andor other parts