Health · Fitness & Nutrition · 8 hrs ago
Experts say lymphatic walking has no proven added benefit for healthy people
Lymphatic walking is a social media exercise trend that uses exaggerated steps, arm swings, deep breathing and body tapping.
A science correspondent tried it for about a month, walking for around 20 minutes at a time, several times a day.
Muscle movement helps fluid travel through the lymphatic system, which helps protect the body from infection.
But a University of Leeds physiology lecturer said there is no evidence the special routine benefits healthy people’s lymphatic systems.
The correspondent felt more active, but could not tell whether the routine changed fluid retention.
Ordinary walking, dancing or lifting weights can also support movement, and the expert said these activities work just as well for the lymphatic system.
“Lymphatic walking” is a social media trend promoted as a way to improve circulation, reduce puffiness and boost energy and mood.
Experts say there is no evidence that the special routine benefits the lymphatic system more than ordinary movement for healthy people.
The routine combines exaggerated walking movements with arm swinging, body tapping and deep breathing.
University of Leeds lecturer Hannah Campbell says muscles help move fluid through the lymphatic system, but other forms of movement work just as well.
An Independent science correspondent tried the routine nearly daily for about a month and said it felt like more of a workout than an average walk.
- Who
- The trend’s participants include social media users; experts including University of Leeds lecturer Hannah Campbell have discussed its effects.
- What
- Lymphatic walking” is a walking routine involving exaggerated movements, arm swinging, body tapping and deep breathing. Experts say it has no proven added lymphatic benefit for healthy people.
- When
- The Independent article was published on 15 October 2026. The correspondent tried the routine for about a month.
- Where
- The correspondent tried it largely in public in New York City.
- Why
- The trend is intended to improve circulation, fight puffiness, boost energy and elevate mood.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Hannah Campbell wrote about the trend in The Conversation.
The Independent correspondent tried lymphatic walking nearly daily, walking for about 20 minutes at a time several times a day.
The Independent published its article about the trend and the correspondent’s experience.
- Trial duration
- About a month
- Typical session
- About 20 minutes
- Trial frequency
- Several times a day, nearly daily
- Trial location
- New York City
- Expert
- Hannah Campbell, University of Leeds lecturer in applied human physiology
What people are saying
In terms of generally healthy individuals, there is no evidence to support this special type of lymphatic movement or lymphatic walking
Going for walks, lifting weights, dancing. It's about trying to be more active, or just generally move more