Manual Lymph Drainage
Manual Lymph Drainage
Do you suffer from tired, aching legs? Do your ankles ever swell up? Do you suffer from fluid retention? Do you have very tender breasts?
Then give yourself a tonic with LEAF’s Manual Lymph Drainage (MLD) massage, a proven technique for stimulating a sluggish lymphatic system and removing excess fluid from the body.
Every day, as we go about our normal activities, we generate by-products or toxins, which saturate the tissues and organs. These must be broken down and eliminated from the body if good health is to be maintained. Under normal functioning, the body uses exercise to activate this process, collecting and removing wastes via the lymphatic organs and vessels. Sometimes, however, this process can be compromised by lack of movement, or injury, or external influences such as extremely hot weather or long plane flights.
This is where lymph massage can be particularly useful to give the system the necessary boost. MLD is suitable for everyone, even those without fluid retention problems, and can be adapted to each individual’s needs.
Stimulating the lymphatic system may produce the following benefits:
- an increase in mobility
- reduced fluid retention in all areas of the body
- improved organ function
- reduced muscle tension
- relaxed nervous system
- improved immune response
Advanced Manual Lymph Drainage
Pre-surgery MLD will help the body to prepare for surgery by helping to eliminate toxins and to get the lymph moving, getting rid of debris and also increases blood flow and supports the immune system ready for surgery. It is recommended that people have pre-op MLD about a week prior to surgery with one to two treatments recommended.
Post-op MLD reduces pain, swelling and oedema as fluid builds up post surgery and surgery can supress the lymph system. Post-op assists with bruising as well as swelling and can help with reducing the risk of fibrosis, which can be picked up by the therapist during MLD treatment. It is also beneficial in the scar healing process. MLD also creates a calming effect on the client which will help with the overall healing process. MLD is beneficial starting within a day of surgery, but most post-ops receive this from their health care provider and with their go ahead, benefit from continuing with MLD from another practitioner.
In terms of cancer we know how to redirect the flow of lymph to healthy lymph nodes when people are suffering from lymphoedema through the removal of lymph nodes.
We understand when lymph needs to be redirected after surgeries like tummy tucks and breast reduction where the closest lymph nodes cannot be utilised.
Also, at home advice is provided and some exercises to help in between treatments.