Lymphatic Drainage Massage

MANUAL LYMPHATIC DRAINAGE (MLD) THERAPIST

What is Lymphatic Drainage, and How Does it Work?

Lymphatic drainage is a type of massage therapy that helps improve the lymphatic system’s functioning. It involves gentle, rhythmic strokes and pressure applied to specific areas of the body to help stimulate lymph flow and encourage the elimination of toxins from the body.

Manual lymph drainage (MLD) massage is one of the most popular forms of lymphatic drainage, as it uses light pressure and long, circular strokes to move toxins out of tissues and into the bloodstream for elimination.

Manual lymph drainage (MLD) massage is a gentle yet powerful therapy. It uses light pressure and long circular strokes to stimulate the lymphatic system, which helps move toxins out of the tissues and into the bloodstream. This massage therapy can be highly beneficial for people suffering from inflammation, water retention, muscle ache, fatigue, and other health issues. In addition, MLD can help reduce swelling, boost immune system function, and improve overall health.

The blood plasma provides oxygen and nutrients to our cell tissue, then returns to our bloodstream, leaving a small percentage of fluid behind. This fluid, known as lymph, is colorless to slightly yellow in appearance and includes the toxins that blood plasma accumulates on its trip to the various cell tissues.

Lymphatic veins, connected to hundreds of lymph nodes all over our body, convey the lymph to the lymph nodes for filtering. Additionally, the lymphatic system produces white blood cells that fight infection and produce antibodies. It is also responsible for transporting these cells throughout the body. So it is the lymphatic system that keeps us healthy.

The lymphatic system doesn’t have a pump in our body like the heart in our circulatory system. Instead, the movement of lymph depends on the contraction of the surrounding muscles and the valves that prohibit the lymph fluid from flowing in the opposite direction.

The Amazing Benefits of Using Lymphatic Drainage for Improved Health & Well-being

1. Reduced Inflammation And Joint Discomfort Or Pressure

Logic dictates that if your body is weighed down by toxic lymphatic fluid, you are likely to feel bloated, heavy, and stagnant, and other body systems are also overwhelmed.

Therefore, as you reduce this burden and get the lymph circulating, places that may have been experiencing fluid pressure alleviation, moreover, if there are places that tend to be inflamed (either locally or throughout the entire body), when the lymph can travel, the whole body performs better.

This means that functions that aid whatever is inflamed can focus on their jobs because they are not contributing to the SOS scenario of the lymphatic system!

A customer who has endured teeth and jaw pain for years noticed that this area deteriorated when she was more generally inflamed. Despite her at-home lymphatic regimens (dry brushing, some manual massage, and specialized herbal treatments), she experienced jaw relief after her first lymphatic drainage session. A few weeks later, a second therapy improved this. Unfortunately, several months have passed, and the jaw ache has not returned.

2. Enhanced Mood, Concentration, And Mental Clarity

While there are many scientific explanations for why lymphatic drainage affects mood and brain function, see below, it is reasonably evident that the therapy itself is a million times more intense than a regular massage. It goes beyond this by targeting a precise sequence of movements, orientations, pressure, etc., all designed to circulate lymph, resulting in brain advantages.

According to what we (and the science and wellness communities) are realizing, mental and emotional health are influenced by numerous aspects of a person’s physical health; therefore, it is not surprising that improving lymphatic health would improve the overall health of the body and thus facilitate an improvement in mood.

3. Enhanced immunity and alleviation from long-term COVID

You know that your lymph nodes frequently feel enlarged when you are ill. The word “swollen glands” indicates that your lymphatic system is filtering out poisons, infections, viruses, and other waste products.

When the lymphatic system functions properly, it efficiently filters and detoxifies the body. This permits us to preserve our health and well-being. However, because it lacks its own “pump” (like the heart in the circulatory system), it requires consistent muscular movement and physical exercise to function correctly. When idle, our lymphatic system may become slow, and the body may collect waste and poisons in the lymph nodes before storing them elsewhere.

If the body stores too many toxins, it can lead to various health problems. For example, the lymphatic system exchanges with the circulatory system – it will clean 2-4 L of blood every day, so if this isn’t happening due to a blockage or an infection, the body will have to work harder, OR it may not get done at all.

Is it able to accomplish its job if it’s overwhelmed with toxins and a virus or other hazard enters the picture? Maybe! How can we assist the lymphatic system in operating at maximum capacity? Help it pump! Manual and vacuum RF (machine-assisted radiofrequency) lymphatic drainage is one of the most effective methods for achieving this goal.

4. Boost in Energy Level

Like a massage, lymphatic drainage stimulates circulation, which can give an instant surge of energy! The difference with a regular massage in this context is that with lymphatic drainage, the treatment is moving and eliminating stagnant waste from the body that may, quite literally, be weighing you down and making you feel sluggish.

Your entire system must work harder and perform a little bit differently than it’s optimally designed. As a result, you may not feel as energized as when everything functions correctly!

Note: Lymphatic drainage treatments may also create a sense of “detox symptoms” before you reach this energized state. You will get this energized state on the other side of that flush as you work through what is released through loads of water, sweating, continuing to move, and resting. All bodies and experiences depend on the quantity of pollutants, level of lymphatic health, and general health, among other aspects typically influenced by lifestyle.

What Professional Treatments are Available for Lymphatic Drainage?

Professional Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) treatments are becoming increasingly popular for their ability to reduce swelling, improve circulation, and help the body heal. MLD is a gentle massage technique that stimulates the lymphatic system to remove toxins from the body and promote healing. It is often combined with other treatments, such as compression wraps or compression garments, to reduce swelling and improve circulation.

Professional MLD treatments can treat various conditions, including lymphedema, post-surgical edema, sports injuries, chronic pain, and more. By using professional MLD treatments and other therapies, patients can experience improved health outcomes and quality of life.

How to Choose the Right Practitioner for Your Needs

Choosing the right practitioner for your needs can be a daunting task. With so many practitioners, knowing who to trust and who is best suited for your needs can be difficult. To ensure you get the best possible service, it is essential to research and find the best practitioner for your specific needs. Here are some tips on how to choose the best practitioner for your needs:

1. Do Your Research: Take time to research different practitioners in your area and read reviews from past clients. This will give you an idea of which practitioners have a good reputation and provide quality services.

2. Ask Questions: Be bold when speaking with potential practitioners. This will help you better understand their experience and expertise in the field, as well as their qualifications and certifications.

3. Get Referrals: Ask friends or family members if they have any recommendations on good practitioners in your area that would fit your goals and lifestyle.

4. Get Licensed: If the practitioner is not licensed, ask them to provide you with the license information before you schedule your first appointment so that it can be referenced on your intake forms. If they still need an actual license, ask if they can provide support and guidance without one. (I highly recommend getting a massage license as an LMT if you pursue these as a career choice.)

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Lymphatic Drainage Massage

Lymphatic drainage massage, also known as manual lymphatic drainage, relieves swelling that happens when medical treatment or illness blocks your lymphatic system. Lymphatic drainage massage involves gently manipulating specific areas of your body to help lymph move to an area with working lymph vessels.

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Overview

What is a lymphatic drainage massage used for?

Lymphatic drainage massage, also known as manual lymphatic drainage, is a gentle form of massage used to relieve painful swelling in your arms and legs caused by lymphedema. Lymphedema often affects people recovering from breast cancer surgery.

Lymphedema happens when your tissues retain fluid left behind after your cardiovascular system sends blood to your tissues and organs.

The remaining fluid is called lymph. Normally, your lymphatic system collects your lymph and returns it to your heart via a network of lymph vessels and lymph nodes. When something disrupts your lymphatic system’s process, lymph collects in your arms and legs, making them swell.

A massage therapist uses lymphatic drainage massage techniques to move lymph from your tissues to your lymph nodes, which eases the swelling in your tissues.

Do lymphatic drainage massages work?

Healthcare providers are still studying whether lymphatic drainage massages make a difference. Some studies show people age 60 and below benefitted by having lymphatic drainage massages.

Procedure Details

How are lymphatic drainage massages done?

A lymphatic drainage massage is a two-step process:

• Clearing: This step releases lymphatic fluid in your tissues.
• Reabsorption: This step moves your lymphatic fluid to your lymph nodes.

Are there other ways to remove lymphatic fluid from my tissues?

Some people benefit from a mechanical process. In this process, you put a sleeve on the swollen arm or leg. The sleeve is attached to a pneumatic pump that pulsates and helps your lymph to drain from your tissues to your lymph nodes.

Risks / Benefits

What are some conditions that can benefit from lymphatic drainage massage?

Lymphatic drainage massages are often used to relieve lymphedema following breast cancer surgery. Other conditions that benefit from lymphatic drainage massages are:

• Rheumatoid arthritis: This is ongoing arthritis in your joints causing joint pain, swelling and stiffness.
• Fibromyalgia: This condition causes chronic muscle and joint pain.
• Chronic venous insufficiency: This happens when your leg veins aren’t working effectively, making it hard for your blood to return to your heart from your legs.
• Lipedema: This happens when excess fat accumulates in your lower body, blocking your lymphatic pathway and causing lymphedema.

Are there any risks associated with lymphatic drainage massage?

Generally speaking, lymphatic drainage massage is a safe treatment to relieve lymphedema. There are some conditions and circumstances where lymphatic drainage massage is not recommended:

• You have a heart condition.
• You have kidney failure.
• You have blood clots.
• You have an infection.

Talk to your healthcare provider if you’re concerned your physical health might be affected by lymphatic drainage massage.

Recovery and Outlook

Will lymphatic drainage massages make my lymphedema go away?

You might not see immediate results from lymphatic drainage massages. If you have several sessions without result, ask your healthcare provider about alternative treatments.

How can I drain my lymphatic system myself?

Talk to your healthcare provider about learning lymphatic draining massage techniques. They will have information to help you decide if you would benefit from doing lymphatic draining massage yourself or by working with a trained massage therapist.

What happens if I’m feeling sick after a lymphatic drainage massage?

Few people have negative reactions to lymphatic drainage massage. Some people, however, complain of headaches, nausea and fatigue. When that happens, you should ask your healthcare provider about managing your side effects.

When to Call the Doctor

When should I see my healthcare provider if I’m doing a lymphatic drainage massage?

You should call your provider if your lymphedema appears to be getting worse.

A note from Cleveland Clinic

Lymphedema causes swelling and raises your risk of infection. It’s an unfortunate and uncomfortable outcome of some treatments for cancer and other illnesses. Lymphatic drainage massage is one way to relieve your lymphedema symptoms. Ask your healthcare provider if a lymphatic drainage massage might be helpful.

Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 09/02/2021.

References

• Li L, Yuan L, Chen X, Wang Q, Tian J, Yang K, Zhou E. Current Treatments for Breast Cancer-Related Lymphoedema: A Systematic Review. (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28030915/) Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. Accessed 9/29/2021.
• Liang M, Chen Q, Peng K, Deng L, He L. Manual lymphatic drainage for lymphedema in patients after breast cancer surgery: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trial (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33285693/) s. Medicine (Baltimore). Accessed 9/29/2021.
• Mortimer, P and Rockson, S. New developments in clinical aspects of lymphatic disease. (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3938261/) J Clin Invest. Accessed 9/29/2021.

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Cleveland Clinic Cancer Center provides world-class care to patients with cancer and is at the forefront of new and emerging clinical, translational and basic cancer research.

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Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) is an advanced therapy in which the practitioner uses a range of specialised and gentle rhythmic pumping techniques to move the skin in the direction of the lymph flow.

Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) is an advanced therapy in which the practitioner uses a range of specialised and gentle rhythmic pumping techniques to move the skin in the direction of the lymph flow. This stimulates the lymphatic vessels which carry substances vital to the defence of the body and removes waste products.

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