Manual Lymphatic Drainage MLD – Specialist Manual Lymphatic Drainage Therapy

We all have a small amount of fluid (lymph) in our body tissues. This fluid leaves our blood system to provide water and nourishment to the tissues. Most of this fluid is collected by a system of drainage tubes, similar to blood vessels, called the lymphatic system.

What is MLD treatment?

Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) is very gentle, ‘light touch’ form of massage based on light, rhythmical, very precise hand movements, which works to help re-circulate body fluids and stimulate functioning of the immune system.

MLD encourage the extra lymph fluid to move away from the swollen area so it can drain normally.

MLD also improves lymph fluid drainage through the healthy lymph vessels, which helps control swelling and speeding up body cleansing from unwanted particles.

Breathing techniques are also an important part of this treatment

What Are The Benefits Of MLD Treatment?

As well as being and excellent way of enhancement for your general well being and general body detox treatment MLD can prove beneficial in the correction of numerous conditions:

Lymphoedema
Lipoedema
Perimenopausal and Menopausal fluid retention
Pre and post cosmetic surgeries
Pre and post other surgeries
Helps with cellulite and fat reduction
Reduction of subcutaneous oedema
Skin condition
Deep relaxation to aid insomnia

Pain relief
Musculoskeletal injuries
Digestive
Depression, anxiety and stress
Detox effect
Sinus congestion
Immune system
Fibromyalgia

What are the main reasons or conditions for MLD treatment?

Lymphoedema

MLD is to redirect lymph fluid away from swollen areas towards the healthy lymphatic free from swelling and then drain back into the circulation. It is particularly useful when swelling involves areas of the body where compression garments cannot easily be worn, such as the armpit, breast, chest, back, abdomen, genitals head and neck. MLD can help to reduce hardness of the tissues (fibrosis) and can improve the condition of scars. It is also known to help reduce pain/discomfort caused by lymphoedema

Lipoedema

MLD treatment helps decongesting fluid from the tissue surrounded by lipoedema tissue.

The treatment therefore improve symptoms of lipoedema such as Volume reduction, pain, sensitivity and feeling of heaviness caused by accumulation of fat tissue

It’s particularly recommended for patents who are sensitive to touch or experience pain when touched. Usually other type of massages are not tolerated

Pre and post cosmetic and any other type surgeries

Most reputable surgeons and doctors recommend soothing MLD pre and post surgical procedure’s to accelerat healing and reduce recovery time.after cosmetic and medical surgery.

MLD gently reduce swelling and bruising while accelerating the body’s healing processes, promoting tissue regeneration, reducing the risk of scar tissue, hardening, fibrosis formation and helping speed your recovery. It’s also relaxing and helps with pain reduction

Cellulite and fat reduction

MLD supports with cellulite reduction and improvement of appearance. Contribute to the smoothing of dimpled skin.

Treatment also aims to break down fat cells. With manual drainage treatment fat cells are transported via lymphatic out of the tissue and than out of the body, with some people reporting that it’s helped them to lose weight faster.

Reduction of subcutaneous oedema (tissue swelling)

Swelling pregnancy related, hormonal issues, puffy eyes, renal, vascular, hepatic dysfunction related, Lymphatic drainage massage can help increase the speed of blood flow in people with CVI.

Skin condition

Improves texture and appearance, gives skin radiance by removing toxins from the superficial tissue, Supports skin anti-aging. Hydrates the skin and helps to revitalize it, considerably reducing wrinkles and stretch marks.
Could help to improve eczemas, acnes

Deep relaxation to aid insomnia, depression, anxiety and stress

Has direct effect on the parasympathetic system generates a relaxing effect.
Eases tension in the body. MLD has a deeply relaxing and calming effect on the nervous system, helping to gently relieve stress and tension which makes them perfect for anyone who has been having trouble sleeping

Detox effect

MLD could be also used as a gentle type of detox therapy. By stimulating lymphatic and eliminating waste particles from the body we achieve overall decongestion and cleansing of the body tissue and promote general well being and healthy functioning.

Sinus congestion

Manual drainage has shown to give relief to sinus and catarrh congestion but also caused by allergies and cold. Working on lymphatic in head and neck area will encourage fluid to drain and create decongestion reducing pressure in your nose and head

Immune system

MLD works in conjunction with the immune system.
Manual lymph drainage enables the body’s defence system to react well. It can moves allergens, irritants, viruses, bacteria and other foreign invaders more quickly to a lymph node where antibodies can break them down and render them harmless.

Fibromyalgia

Chronic fatigue syndrome – helps to reduce symptoms. This condition causes inflammation of the skin nerves, discoloration of the skin, and tissue swelling. The MLD has been shown to be better than connective tissue massage in treating depression, stiffness, and improving quality of life for those living with fibromyalgia.

Pain relief

MLD can have a pain-relieving and calming effect on the whole nervous system. During treatment touch receptors in the skin send messages to the brain, which in return block messages sent by pain receptors. That way pain sensation is reduced or removed

Musculoskeletal injuries

Speeds up recovery from fracture, sprains, strains, torn ligaments & sports injuries – promote healing and aid with pain relief

Digestive

MLD over the abdominal area improves your gastrointestinal health, chronic constipation, bloating, cramps and anxious digestive disorders, IBS etc
Aids bowel to contract, stretch and loose allow your bowel to eliminate what is blocking it.

The MLD Treatment – what to expect

The first visit to a trained MLDUK practitioner will include a consultation during which the therapist will recommend required number of session and frequency of future sessions.

Each session will last proximately one hour. Where appropriate the therapist will work in conjunction with your medical practitioner.

At an MLD session you will be asked to remove some of your clothing and lie down on the treatment bed where you will be covered in towels to keep you warm and protect the modesty and dignity.

As no oils or powders are used it is completely safe even for those with sensitive skin.

Contraindications

Absolute Contraindications:

Acute inflammation – caused by bacteria, viruses and poisons are contraindicated. Tissues will be red, hot, and painful with congestion accompanied by fever. Lymphatic drainage will push these substances into the lymph channels before the body has a chance to eliminate them. This way one can spread the toxic substances throughout the body. It is best to wait a few days until the condition is not acute and the body has had a chance to clean up the area.
Active Malignant tumours and treatment – there is a fear of spreading the cancer.
Thrombosis – can lead to free floating blood clots in the circulatory system.
Major heart problems – if the heart is not fully functioning, oedema can be lymphodynamic due to a lack of venous return. Pumping more fluid in the heart it may stress it more than the actual condition.

Relative Indications or Precautions:

Kidney Problems

Check with the physician before treating.

Bronchial Asthma

This can stimulate the vagus nerve bringing on an attack.

Thyroid Problems

No treatment around the throat.

Chemotherapy

Fear of increasing the dosage by draining the interstitial spaces.

First Three Months of Pregnancy

Fear of miscarriage.

Removed Spleen

Recommend Shorter Session First.

Are there any side effects to the treatment?

There are usually no bad side effects and it is perfectly safe to eat before and after a MLD treatment. It helps to drink some water after your treatment and you may need to go to the toilet more often, as the re-energised lymphatic system starts to recycle excess fluid and waste. After an MLD treatment, you should feel more relaxed and clear headed!