Manual Lymphatic Drainage

Service Description

Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) is a technique utilizing light, relaxing strokes to manually move lymph throughout the body. Why Is This Important? Your Lymphatic System (aka the backbone of your Immune System) is the least studied system in the human body in Western medicine, but is responsible for the quintessential processes that keep your body healthy. The Lymphatic System is comprised of your lymph nodes and vessels, spleen, thyroid, gallbladder, appendix, tonsils, thymus, and even your red bone marrow. The nodes and vessels that route lymph throughout your body live just below the skin, intertwined with fascia and your blood vessels. This network works in tandem to: - Create white blood cells (these produce antibodies and defend against bacteria, viruses, etc) - Filter your blood - Collect, filter, and return fluid from your tissues back into your circulatory system As a result, when there is a disruption to the flow within this system, clients are often left with very few answers despite a growing list of interrelated complications. What is MLD? Massage therapists trained in MLD act as a "manual override" to your body's Lymphatic System in order to kickstart and reroute lymph fluid with their own hands- thereby reestablishing a healthy lymph flow. The most common symptom of a compromised Lymphatic System is localized swelling (edema and lymphedema) in any area of the body. This swelling creates enough pressure to make skin feel tight, or even stretch to accommodate the fluid buildup, and prevents full use of the muscles in the area. Who Would Benefit From MLD? Anyone can benefit from adding lymphatic drainage into their selfcare routine as even changes in our diet and exercise routine can throw off lymphatic flow (ever wonder why your face/body looks puffy after eating a bunch of fried food or a night of drinking?). However, many people with the following not only benefit from MLD, but REQUIRE it to maintain a functional lymph flow: - Major surgery (including joint replacements, hysterectomy, c-sections) - Reconstructive & cosmetic surgery (repairs, body modifications) - Cancer treatments (tissue removal, node removal, chemo, radiation, mastectomy) - Excessive scar tissue (including excessive tattoos, broken bones, burns) This session focuses on renewing lymphatic flow to multiple areas of the body and incorporates heat, cupping, scar tissue release, myofascial release, orthopedic, and SMRT techniques to do so. No deep tissue or swedish.