What is Manual Lymph Drainage (MLD)?

Manual Lymph (or Lymphatic) Drainage is gentle and rhythmic bodywork that specifically targets and supports the lymphatic system (the master system of our immune function), but also has the wonderful side effects of regulating the nervous system and reducing pain.

What are the benefits?

Pain Relief

MLD with its light pressure and accelerated drainage of debris in the tissues has been shown to provide a stimulus for “gate-control”. Gate Control Theory is a medical theory suggesting that nerves can be stimulated to close the “gates” which normally allow pain signals to reach the brain.

Nervous System Regulation

The light pressure and repetitive nature of the strokes used in MLD decreases the sympathetic (fight, flight, freeze, or fawn) function of the nervous system and promotes a parasympathetic (rest and digest) response. Receiving MLD is incredibly relaxing and soothing and may put you into deliciously soft, dream-like states of consciousness.

Lymphatic Drainage and Immune System Support

This is the original benefit for which MLD was developed. During an MLD session, there is an increase in the amount of fluid that is pulled into the lymphatic system from the tissues. There is also an increase in the contraction frequency of the lymph vessels. Together, these mean that more fluid is being moved from your body’s tissues and processed by your lymphatic system for return to the circulatory system. Not only will you have less stagnant fluid congesting your body’s tissues, but your immune system will be able to filter those fluids for your body’s health.

Lymph Redirection

In the case of lymphedema or when scar tissue is present, specialized treatment routines are developed to redirect the flow of lymph fluid around blocked areas into healthy lymph vessels. If you are seeking specialized treatment for lymphedema or major scar tissue, please reach out to me (text or email anytime) so we can organize either a longer initial session or we can plan for the initial session in advance. In order to ensure your safety, I will want to make sure that all contraindications are accounted for and we have proper doctor or surgeon clearance or prescription, if needed.

What can I expect from a Manual Lymph Drainage session?

Like regular massage, this is a largely unclothed treatment where you will be under sheets and a blanket and only the portion of your body that is currently being treated will be undraped. Some short parts of the session will involve deep work in certain places to stimulate the lymph nodes. Most of the session will involve gentle, rhythmic techniques to encourage the uptake of fluid from your tissues and the movement of it back towards your circulatory system. The majority of people find this work deeply relaxing, and it is not unusual to go into that deliciously dreamy place between sleep and wakefulness. While the work does not address the muscles directly, many people find that even their muscles are more relaxed afterwords.

Who can receive Manual Lymph Drainage?

Nearly everyone!

There only strict no-go conditions are untreated congestive heart failure, untreated or acute deep vein thrombosis,

What conditions respond favorably to or are supported by Manual Lymph Drainage?

• Migraines

• Anxiety

• Fibromyalgia

• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

• Rheumatoid Arthritis

• Scleroderma

• PTSD

• Lymphedema

• Post-surgery recovery

• Scar tissue mitigation

• Neuropathy

• Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)

• Sinus headaches

• Tinnitus

• Cellulite

• Lyme Disease

• Inflammation

• Weakened immunity