The Big 6: My Daily Lymphatic Drainage Routine (4.5 Weeks In)
I want to be upfront: I am not a lymphatic drainage expert. I am a founder, a mom, and a woman in perimenopause who stumbled onto something that is genuinely moving fluid I thought was just permanent. It is not.
Before I get into the steps, credit where it is due.
Their channel introduced me to the concept of the Big 6. I found their process, adapted it into a version that works for me daily, and am sharing my version here. Watch their reel first — it makes the sequence click immediately.
Watch this once and the order makes sense. Then use my written breakdown below as your daily reference.
What is the lymphatic system (the quick version)
Your lymphatic system is your body's internal drainage network. Unlike blood, which has the heart to pump it around, lymph fluid has no dedicated pump. It moves through muscle movement, breathing, and manual stimulation. When it gets sluggish - which happens during hormonal shifts, sedentary stretches, or periods of high inflammation - fluid pools.
That is where the puffiness comes from. The armpit. The bra line. The lower belly that feels congested even when you have not eaten anything. Not permanent. Stagnant.
The Big 6 refers to the six major lymph node clusters in the body. The idea is to drain them in sequence - clearing the path first so the fluid actually has somewhere to go when you work up from the lower nodes.
Why this matters more during perimenopause (and PMS)
Estrogen dominance - common in perimenopause and during the luteal phase of your cycle - can slow lymphatic flow. So can chronic low-grade inflammation, which rises when hormones are fluctuating. If you have noticed that your puffiness gets worse at certain points in your cycle, this is likely why.
Daily lymphatic work is not a cure. But it gives stagnant fluid somewhere to go, which makes a real difference in how your body feels and looks - especially in those stubborn spots that diet and exercise alone do not seem to touch.
The 7-Step Sequence I Follow Every Morning
No oils, no tools, no appointment needed. Just your fingers and about 5 minutes. I do this before I eat or drink anything, while still in bed or standing in the bathroom.
Each location gets the same three movements, in order: rub, tap, circles — 10 times each. Watch the reel above first, then use this as your reference while you build the habit.
What I have noticed at 4.5 weeks
Weeks 1–2: Nothing dramatic. Kept going.
Week 3: The underarm and bra-line puff started to visibly shift. First time I noticed my bra fitting differently.
Week 4+: Lower belly feels less congested in the mornings. Overall my body feels less like it is holding on to things. I have not changed anything else in my routine.
I do this every morning before I eat or drink anything. It takes about 1-2 minutes and has become as automatic as brushing my teeth. If I miss a day, I notice - not dramatically, but enough that I go back.
If you try it, give it at least three weeks before you judge it. Week one you are just learning the sequence. Week two you are building the habit. Week three is when something tends to shift.
How this connects to Neeshi
Your lymphatic system and your hormones talk to each other more than most people realize. Estrogen dominance - common in perimenopause and in the luteal phase of your cycle - is one of the things that slows lymphatic drainage. Chronic inflammation does the same.
The flax lignans, magnesium-rich cacao, and steady fats in Neeshi help address those underlying drivers. So the lymph work and the daily spoonful are not two separate things. They compound. One clears the path, the other gives your body the raw materials to stay balanced.
If you are not already on the daily ritual, start here.
The Neeshi Daily Ritual
One spoonful of Dark Cacao Spread, every day. Real food for your hormones — from your first period to menopause.
Start the Ritual · $2.50/dayI am not a doctor or certified lymphatic therapist. This is my personal routine, shared because you asked. If you have a health condition, are pregnant, or are managing a diagnosis, please check with your provider before adding any new body practice. Original Big 6 framework credit: @stopchasingpain on Instagram/YouTube.