Manual Lymphatic Drainage

What is lymphatic drainage?

It's a subtle and non-intrusive manual approach with a profound impact on the body. Acknowledged by both the medical and spa wellness sectors, this gentle touch physical therapy is analgesic and restorative. MLD induces profound relaxation and expedites cellular repair and regeneration.

What is the lymphatic system?

The lymphatic system, an extensive network of vessels, plays a crucial role in maintaining the balance of circulatory fluids. Its primary function is to transport excess water, proteins, pathogens, and waste from the connective tissue back to the bloodstream. Throughout this transportation process, the lymphatic system undergoes cleaning, filtering, and concentration, with numerous immune reactions taking place in the lymph nodes.

How does manual lymphatic drainage work?

Named for its primary goal of "drainage," MLD expedites the removal of metabolic wastes and pathogens stored in loose connective tissue by accelerating lymphatic flow. This process enables a more efficient transport of nutrients and oxygen to the cells.

Contraindications (can’t receive treatment):

• Acute infectious and inflammatory disease

• Fever

• Serious circulatory problems

• Major cardiac problems

• Hemorrhage

• Blood clots

• Malignant ailments, even an undiagnosed lump

• Cancer (must be in remission for more than 5 years - risk of spreading; NEED PHYSICIAN RELEASE)

Precautions:

• Kidney problems

• Bronchial asthma (can trigger an asthma attack)

• Thyroid problems

• Medications

• 1st Trimester pregnancy (risk of miscarriage)

• Removed spleen

Benefits:

• Analgesic (relieve pain)

• Decongestive

• Anti-inflammatory

• Restorative

• Induces a relaxation response that effectively combats physical stress

• Targets and inhibits the negative effect of stress and reduces inflammation

Effects:

• Sympatholytic

  • The body resets and repairs during rest periods or when the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) is engaged. MLD activates the PNS in 30 minutes or less, facilitating these rejuvenating effects.

• Analgesic (relieve pain)

  • Pain sends prolonged, slow signals throughout the body. MLD activates mechanoreceptors in the body, triggering much faster signals that effectively override or block the pain signal.

• Drainage

  • MLD enhances lymphangiomotoricity, reducing transit stretch time (the duration for nutrients to reach the cell). Additionally, MLD induces Thixotropy in the loose connective tissue, enabling it to transition between a gel and liquid state. When the tissue is more fluid, nutrients reach the cell more rapidly, and toxins are released faster, reducing the risk of infection after surgery and promoting detoxification.

Conditions that MLD can help (list isn’t exhaustive):

• Pre and post-cosmetic surgery 

• Venous insufficiency

• Inflammation

• Ulceration

• Poor circulation and fluid retention

• Sports injuries

• Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) or Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome (RSD)

• Burns

• Scarring

• Breast concerns