Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) is a slow, rhythmic hands-on treatment that directly targets the Lymphatic System. By following the pathways of lymphatic vessels, MLD promotes fluid circulation, calms the nervous system, and provides pain relief. MLD is used in the management of lymphedema, a chronic condition caused by an obstruction of the lymphatic system resulting in excessive fibrotic edema in the skin.
Nurturing Wellness Naturally
Through gentle and rhythmic movements, Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) facilitates natural healing processes, boosts lymphatic circulation, and bolsters immune function. MLD effectively reduces inflammation, aids in detoxification, and alleviates symptoms across various conditions, fostering comprehensive well-being.
MLD benefits
Detoxify: Promoting lymph absorption to create a healthy environment for your cells.
Circulate: Boosting lymphatic fluid transport to your cardiovascular system
Relax: Soothing your nervous system to reduce stress, anxiety and promote better sleep
Comfort: Helps to alleviate pain from chronic conditions to pain experienced from a surgery or trauma
Support: Optimizing lymphatic flow when disruption to lymphatic function has occurred.
Protect: Strengthening immunity to keep you healthy.
Many people are now incorporating MLD into their wellness routine for natural healing benefits. By understanding the role of your lymphatic system and how best to support it, you have the ability to create a healthy lifestyle.
Conditions Addressed by Manual Lymph Drainage
MLD therapy provides relief and support for a variety of conditions:
Neurological and Pain Syndromes: Whiplash trauma, CRPS/RSD, Fibromyalgia, Migraine/Headache, and more.
Post-Procedure Recovery: Dental Procedures, Post-Surgical Edema, sprains, and Hematoma management.
Chronic Conditions: Rheumatoid Arthritis, Fibrocystic Breast Disease, and Lyme Disease, Chronic Fatigue,
Common Discomforts: Sinus Infections, Sprains, Tinnitus, Whiplash, and general fatigue.
Your lymphatic system is a collection of organs and vessels that play a key role in the following functions:
MAINTENANCE OF FLUID IN OUR TISSUES
Have you ever wondered where swelling (edema) in our skin or body parts comes from? Blood is continuously circulating around our body to provide nourishment for every cell in the body. As a result of that blood circulating, water leaves our blood vessels and ends up in the spaces between our cells (interstitium) under the skin. If we didn’t have a vast network of lymphatic vessels to remove this water, we would constantly have edema. Edema is the medical term to describe the build up of fluid (swelling). Unlike our cardiovascular system, the lymphatic system does not have a pump to move this fluid so our lymphatic system needs some help in the form of movement, exercise and MLD.
HELPS US TO ABSORB FATS AND FAT-SOLUBLE VITAMINS IN THE DIGESTIVE TRACT
We have a collection of lymph vessels in our digestive tract that are responsible for absorbing large lipid (fat) molecules and with those molecules are the fat soluble vitamins that are essential for human health such as vitamin A, D, E and K.
PLAYS A CRUCIAL ROLE IN OUR IMMUNE RESPONSE
Circulating in our lymphatic vessels is lymphatic fluid that contains the water collected from the interstitium and our army of immune fighting cells. Some of these cells are also found in the many lymphatic organs such as our thymus gland, spleen and lymph nodes.
Each of these functions plays a huge role in the wellness and heath of the human body and for many years, it has not received the level of study it so rightfully deserves. Over the past several decades, the awareness around the importance of the lymphatic system has increased creating a surge in research and studies on its role and function in health and disease.
Many people are looking into the variety of health benefits associated with a healthy, functional lymphatic system.
A Holistic Tradition
History around the study of the Lymphatic System
Up until the mid 20th Century, the lymphatic system was considered to be a vital part of the cardiovascular system, performing the essential role of returning fluid from the body’s tissues and organs back to the heart, alongside the venous system. In the later part of the 20th century, more research revealed that certain organs of the body, particularly the lymph nodes, performed a crucial role in defending the body from harmful pathogens, removing of foreign particles, including dead and malignant cells.
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Hippocrates first described the lymphatic vessel as “white blood” and coined the word “chyle”. Chyle is a white milky fluid that contains fats and fat-soluble vitamins following the absorption of fats in the digestive tract.
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Jean Pecquet, a French scientist, was famous for his discovery of the lacteals, major lymph collectors responsible for the absorption of fats and fat-soluble vitamins in the small intestine, and that the thoracic duct, the largest lymph vessel in the body, leads into the left subclavian vein.
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Olaus Rudbeck, a Swedish scientist, also known for his pioneering work in the study of the lymphatic system, discovered the pathway of lymph fluid leading from the tissues, into the lymph vessels then back to the thoracic duct into the cardiovascular system.
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Dr Emil Vodder, a pioneering figure in lymphatic health, introduced the world to Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD), also known as the Vodder Technique. In the 1920s, Dr. Vodder and his wife Estrid embarked on a journey of natural healing in southern France, focusing on the treatment of swollen lymph nodes caused by respiratory infections. Their innovative approach led to remarkable results. In 1935, Dr. Vodder publicly shared his groundbreaking findings, marking a new era in the use of lymphatic drainage for various health conditions and diseases.
During the past decade, research into the development, structure and function of the lymphatic system has accelerated which provides us with a more thorough understanding of the role the lymphatics has in health and disease as well as the formation of the lymphatic system in embryo and the growth of the lymphatics in an adult.
With increased research and studies into the movement and development of cancer cells, therapists no longer need to avoid massage or MLD on patients with active cancer or have a history of cancer. When we consider how much physical activity, deep breathing and respiration affects the lymphatic system, there is no need to be concerned that MLD can actively move cancer cells. Therefore, MLD is an indicated modality to use on cancer patients both during and post treatments.
MLD is a safe and helpful modality for this client population, especially when their lymphatic system has been compromised from surgery or radiation to lymph nodes.
A certified MLD therapist, has received the essential education to understand the impact of the side effects of cancer treatment and is therefore able to support the cancer patient safely and effectively by encouraging healing and recovery at all stages of their disease.