LYMPHATIC DRAINAGE MASSAGE

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Lymphatic massage, sometimes called manual lymphatic drainage, is a specialized type of medical massage. It can help treat lymphedema, in which lymphatic fluid collects in certain areas of the body because it cannot drain away effectively. Lymphatic massage aims to improve the flow of lymph fluid, which should reduce swelling. Massage Therapy will make space for fluid to flow to those parts from more congested areas.

Lymph drainage massage has become a popular form of massage due to its potential health benefits. This specialized approach focuses on the lymphatic system, which is part of the immune system.  This type of massage aims to help the body maintain proper blood circulation, body fluid balance, and immune functions.

Lymphedema happens when your tissues retain fluid left behind after your cardiovascular system sends blood to your tissues and organs.

The remaining fluid is called lymph. Normally, your lymphatic system collects your lymph and returns it to your heart via a network of lymph vessels and lymph nodes. When something disrupts your lymphatic system’s process, lymph collects in your arms and legs, making them swell.

A massage therapist uses lymphatic drainage massage techniques to move lymph from your tissues to your lymph nodes, which eases the swelling in your tissues.

The lymphatic system contains vessels and nodes with lymph, a mixture of proteins, water, waste products, and immune system elements. Located throughout the body, lymph nodes filter all this debris.

The largest nodes are in the neck, groin, and armpits. They all work together to make sure “clean” lymph is transported back to the veins that carry blood toward the heart.

Manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) can be an effective treatment modality and offer many benefits for those both preparing for or recovering from surgery.

Before Surgery: 

Receiving MLD treatment before surgery helps to prepare the area of the body about to undergo an operation. It does this by stimulating the lymph vessels of the lymphatic system to remove cellular waste products, bacteria, viruses, excess proteins, excess fluid, and any other unwanted substances from the spaces between your cells, essentially cleaning the tissues. The lymph vessels then move the unwanted substances to lymph nodes, which are cleaned and filtered by the immune system.

Three or more consecutive treatments before surgery yield the best results, but one or two treatments are still beneficial.

After Surgery:

And then comes the swelling after surgery… While some swelling is very normal and a necessary part of the inflammatory healing process, excessive or prolonged swelling can become problematic, leading to longer healing times, and increased pain can adversely affect scar formation, causing unwanted adhesions and decreased range of motion.

Because MLD is such a gentle treatment, it can be received within days of surgery. Three or more consecutive (weekly) treatments are necessary to reduce inflammation. Once the swelling has gone down, it is time to reduce scar tissue with a series of Myofascial Release treatments.

We do not do incisional drainage. Incisional drainage is a modality commonly done the first week after cosmetic surgery, and is common in Florida and California. This drainage forces fluid out of incisions made by surgery. Manual Lymphatic Drainage promotes the return of fluid from tissues and lymphatic vessels back into the circulatory system where it can be safely eliminated by our bodies natural processes.  For post-op clients: we cannot treat you until all drains have been removed.

 Aside from lymphedema, lymphatic drainage massage can help treat several health problems. Some conditions can benefit more from the massage than others.

• ‌Rheumatoid arthritis. If you have rheumatoid arthritis, you may experience poor lymph flow as the disease progresses. Along with tissue swelling, pain in the joints increases, joints lose their function, and the skin changes color. Lymph drainage massage can help ease these later-stage rheumatoid arthritis symptoms.‌
• Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI). Chronic venous insufficiency is when the valves or walls of the veins that are in the legs don’t work correctly. This makes it hard for the blood to flow back to the heart from the legs.‌ Lymphatic drainage massage can help increase the speed of blood flow in people with CVI. Massage Therapy can make the femoral artery — the large artery in the thigh — perform better immediately after the session. It’s unclear how long this impact lasts or whether the massage provides long-term relief from pain and swelling. Further research in this area would help bring more light to the effectiveness of this massage technique on CVI.‌
• Fibromyalgia. Lymph drainage massage may help people with fibromyalgia. This condition causes inflammation of the skin nerves, discoloration of the skin, and tissue swelling. The massage has been shown to be better than connective tissue massage in treating depression, stiffness, and improving quality of life for those living with fibromyalgia. 

Massage available in 30, 45, 60, or 90 minute sessions.