Understanding Hand Lymphatics

By Dr. Claudia Aguirre

The Hands

There are over 7000 spoken languages currently being practiced around the world. But there is one singular language that most of humanity can understand - the language of our hands. Think about it: we wave hello, point directions and express ourselves through gestures that can cross every cultural boundary. And of course, each culture might have their own language of the hands 🤌🏼

Our hands are literally at the center of everything we do, yet we're still learning about how they actually work. And here's the thing—they're often the first to show us when something's off. Tired hands, achy fingers, stiffness after a long day at the computer, all signs of an imbalance system. To go beyond the speedy hand massage, incorporating simple lymphatic drainage into your hand-care routine can make a significant difference.

What Are Hand Lymphatics?

Lymphatics are basically your body's way of cleaning house, moving fluid and toxins out of your tissues. When it gets backed up, your hands feel heavy, stiff, and just... blah. The lymphatic system in the hands consists of a network of superficial and deep lymphatic vessels that begin as tiny blind-ended capillaries in the tissues. These vessels are responsible for collecting excess fluid, proteins, waste products, and immune cells from the interstitial spaces between cells. Unlike your circulatory system, which has the heart as a pump, lymph vessels rely on muscle contractions and manual manipulation to move fluid.

In 2005, a new method of lymphatic assessment was established and it was not until 2018 that the deep lymphatic details of the hands were described. The researchers illustrated five groups of deep lymph vessels of the hand. Each group originates in the palms of the hand and drains initially in different directions, then they turn courses in the figerwebs, from the palm to the top of the hands and run towards the wrist, draining into nearby lymph nodes.

Happy Hands

In your hands specifically, these lymphatic vessels form a complex web that:

Reduces Puffiness: Efficient lymph drainage prevents fluid accumulation that can make hands appear swollen.

Enhances Skin Texture: By removing waste products, lymphatic flow helps maintain smooth, even-textured skin on the hands.

Improves Circulation: Better lymph flow works synergistically with blood circulation, delivering nutrients more effectively to skin cells. Longer nails, here we come.

Accelerates Recovery: For those dealing with hand strain from repetitive motions, proper lymphatic drainage can also speed healing.

Manual intelligence

Just as much as our hands seem to have their own language, they are also incredibly important for our oral language development. Studies of cognitive development in children point to a close relationship between manual dexterity and language development. Babies often begin to express their desire by pointing, and this pointing can predict acquisition of single words. Similarly, babies will open their mouth in response to touching their palm (this is known as the Babcock reflex). Clearly, our hands play a larger role in our language development and perhaps our cognitive abilities than we have previously imagined. 

We’re only beginning to uncover the deep connections under the surface of our skin. Simple daily rituals like hand care aren't just physical routines—they can create positive effects that extend well into our mental and emotional wellbeing.

Fig. 1 Drawings of hand lymphatics by PC Sappey, 1874

Fig.2 Radiograph of the left hand. Five groups of the deep lymphatic vessel of the hand are highlighted in colors. CX Ma et al, 2021.

Read more about the hand-brain connection on opusmanus.org

Try this DIY Hand Lymphatic Drainage