A lymphatic massage with a therapist in Sweden usually costs SEK 700–1,300 for 45–75 minutes, about the same as a classic massage, and can often be paid with the Swedish wellness allowance (friskvårdsbidrag). What you pay for is not strength but precision: very light pressure, the right order (lymph nodes closest to the heart first) and the right direction. A good therapist asks about your health before starting, explains what they are doing and says honestly that the effect on swelling is temporary unless you move and follow up at home. Here is what to expect, how to choose among the options in Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö, and how to extend the effect between visits with five minutes of lymphatic massage at home.
What you should get for your money
- Health questions first. Blood clots, heart failure, infection, cancer treatment, pregnancy and lymphoedema affect whether and how the treatment may be done. Do not stay with a therapist who does not ask.
- Light pressure. The lymph vessels lie just under the skin. If it feels like a deep-tissue massage, it is not lymphatic massage.
- The right order. Collarbones and neck, armpits and groin are opened before legs, abdomen and arms are treated; finishing by guiding the fluid there again.
- Time. Full body takes 60–75 minutes. A 25-minute "lymphatic massage" is one leg or the face, not the body.
- Advice for home. Water, movement, legs up, and ideally a simple technique you can repeat yourself.
What the treatment does and does not do, side effects and what to expect before and after are in What is lymphatic massage?
Price and the wellness allowance
| Treatment | Typical price (Oct 2026) | Wellness allowance? |
|---|---|---|
| Full-body lymphatic massage, 60–75 min | SEK 900–1,300 | Usually, up to SEK 1,000 per session if the employer approves |
| Legs or face, 30–45 min | SEK 500–800 | Usually |
| Cupping massage / lymphatic massage with cups, 45–60 min | SEK 700–1,100 | Usually |
| Pressotherapy (compression boots), 30–45 min | SEK 300–600 | Varies |
| Lymphoedema treatment with a therapist through healthcare | Patient fee | No, healthcare |
The Swedish Tax Agency's principle: massage that prevents soreness and stiffness is wellness, beauty and medical treatment is not. The employer decides; ask before you book. Prices above are approximate and vary with city, salon and length.
How to choose a therapist: six questions
- What training do you have in lymphatic massage or manual lymphatic drainage? (A certified massage therapist with further training, a lymphoedema therapist or a skin therapist with lymph training are reasonable answers.)
- How long is the treatment and which areas are included?
- Do you work with hands, cups or a machine, and why?
- How often do you recommend coming, and what should I do myself between sessions?
- What do you do if I have varicose veins, am pregnant or have recently had surgery?
- Is the treatment approved as wellness and will I get a receipt that works for the allowance?
Warning signs: promises of weight loss or "detox", firm pressure, no health screening, and treating swelling without asking about its cause. Read more in Lymphatic massage and weight loss.
Lymphatic massage in Stockholm
Stockholm has the largest selection: skin therapists in Östermalm and Södermalm doing facial lymphatic massage, massage clinics in the city centre and suburbs doing full body, and hotel spas offering lymphatic massage as part of a menu. Prices sit at the upper end of the table. If you are seeking treatment for lymphoedema after cancer, go through your GP or oncology clinic for a referral to a lymphoedema therapist, not a salon. Curam Recovery® classes and workshops are held regularly in the Stockholm area; current dates are on Curam Events.
Lymphatic massage in Gothenburg
In Gothenburg you find lymphatic massage at massage clinics in the centre, Linné and Majorna and at skin therapists and spas along the coast. Many therapists combine lymphatic massage with cupping or connective-tissue massage; ask what is included in the treatment you book. Prices are often slightly below Stockholm's.
Lymphatic massage in Malmö
Malmö and Lund have a growing selection of lymphatic massage at skin therapists, massage therapists and a few clinics that also offer pressotherapy. The proximity to Denmark means many salons have Danish-speaking clients and use the term lymfedrænage; it is the same treatment. Prices are in line with Gothenburg.
We do not list individual salons here. Therapists and salons working with Curam's cups and method are on Curam Spa & salons; if you are a therapist who wants to be listed, get in touch via the partner page.
Between visits: five minutes at home
The effect of a lymphatic massage lasts days, not weeks. What extends it is movement, water and a short routine of your own: stroke over collarbones, armpits and groin, breathe deeply five times, then glide an oiled silicone cup with light pressure from the ankles towards the backs of the knees and from the knees towards the groin. The Curam Dynamic Cup and the body oil are enough; the full technique is in Lymphatic massage at home. Many therapists themselves recommend cups for home use between visits, and Curam's cups are used by massage therapists in treatment, see Cupping for massage therapists.
When not to book lymphatic massage
With fever or infection, a suspected blood clot, untreated heart failure, acute kidney disease or ongoing cancer treatment without a doctor's clearance. If you have lymphoedema, treatment should be done by a lymphoedema therapist through healthcare, see Lymphoedema. Sudden swelling in one leg is a same-day healthcare matter, not a massage booking.
Frequently asked questions about lymphatic massage with a therapist
What does lymphatic massage cost?
About SEK 900–1,300 for full body and SEK 500–800 for legs or face in October 2026, with local variation. The wellness allowance often covers up to SEK 1,000 per session if the employer approves the treatment.
How often should you go?
As wellness: a series of 3–5 treatments one to two weeks apart, then as needed. The home routine in between determines how long the effect lasts.
Is lymphatic massage approved for the wellness allowance?
Usually, since it counts as massage that prevents stiffness and tension. The employer decides, and the treatment may cost at most SEK 1,000 per session to be tax-free.
Lymphatic massage or cupping massage?
Cupping massage with light suction in the direction of lymph flow is a form of lymphatic massage many therapists use for legs and back. Hands suit the face and neck better. Ask your therapist what they use and why; read more in Cupping massage.
How do I find a lymphoedema therapist?
For lymphoedema: through your GP or your cancer clinic. For wellness: search "lymfmassage" plus your city, read reviews, and ask the six questions above before booking.
Related guides
- Massage – types, effects and how to massage at home
- Lipoedema – symptoms, stages and what helps
- Naprapath, chiropractor, physiotherapist or osteopath – who should you see?
Written by Curam. Last updated 17 October 2026. Prices are approximate Swedish market levels in October 2026 and do not refer to Curam products. This is general information and does not replace medical care.
