The term Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) has been coming up far more often on social media these days, but a lot of people still have no idea what it is and how it can benefit them. I’ve had many clients come in that are interested in the treatment, but have no idea what they are asking for and what benefits could come out of it. There are also quite a few misconceptions floating around. Some people believe it’s a quick fix for weight loss, that it “flushes out toxins” in a dramatic or immediate way, or that it’s only useful after surgery or for specific medical conditions. Others assume it’s just a standard massage with firmer pressure, when in reality it uses very gentle, specific techniques. In order to understand all the benefits, I’ve put together this handy guide to understand what the lymphatic system is and how manual lymphatic drainage can benefit you.
What is the Lymphatic System?
To start, the lymphatic system is a series of vessels, nodes, and capillaries that run throughout the body. It removes excess fluid from tissues, transport waste and toxins, and helps us fight infection by moving white blood cells. While the circulatory system is closed and has the heart to help move blood around, the lymphatic system moves throughout the body through muscle contraction, breathing and very subtle vessel movements. When the system gets overwhelmed, because of injury, illness, surgery, etc., fluid can build up which leads to swelling and inflammation.
How is Manual Lymphatic Drainage performed?
This is where my role comes in! Lymphatic vessels are very shallow within the body, lying close to the surface of the skin, which means manual lymphatic drainage needs a very gentle approach in order to work properly. If one were to use heavy pressure, this could have the opposite impact by compressing the vessels and slowing lymphatic flow. The application is more often described as “skin stretching” as we are trying to allow the nodes to fill up and empty properly. The system only flows in one direction, making it very important for those light strokes to be precise and moving in the correct direction. The flow of lymph changes throughout the body, so direction of strokes will change during treatment.
Why is Lymphatic Drainage beneficial?
There are many benefits to lymphatic drainage including:
- Reduces fluid retention & swelling
- Decreases puffiness
- Supports circulation of blood and movement of lymphatic fluid
- Supports post-surgical recovery
- Minimizes inflammation
- Promotes healing
- Promotes relaxation & stress reduction
- Calms the nervous system
- Encourages overall well-being
- Enhances immune function
- Supports detoxification
- Helps remove waste and toxins
- Improves skin health
- Reduces congestion
- Promotes a clearer, brighter complexion
MLD can be helpful for many different conditions.
It can help treat:
- Fibromyalgia
- Arthritis
- Migraines
- Chronic pain
- Inflammatory conditions
- Digestive issues
- Circulatory issues
- Neurological disorders.
Best part? I can treat all the above!
There are also some conditions that are not safe to treat including: kidney problems, major heart problems thyroid issues, and chemotherapy. If you are interested in the treatment but have a concern about a condition you may have, check with your healthcare provider to see if it is safe. Or book a complimentary Meet + Greet with me and we can discuss this together!
The point of Manual Lymphatic Drainage is to assist the body, we aren’t trying to force anything during treatment, just give the lymphatic system a bit of support. Overall, MLD can be beneficial for many people, even if you just need some “me time’ and be able to fully relax.
This is just a very simplified and broken-down look into MLD and what it can do for you. If you have more questions or concerns, I’d love to chat! Either during your next treatment or by booking a Meet & Greet with me!
