Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD)
Lymphatic Massage Helps Treat Lymphedema

Manual lymphatic drainage, more commonly called MLD, is a gentle lymphatic massage technique used to clear up blockages in the lymphatic system allowing lymph to flow more freely.

The lymphatic system is a series of ducts, nodes and organs that balances the body's fluid levels. It also supplies the body with important immune cells. When this system becomes blocked, swelling the blocked area occurs. This swelling is called lymphedema.

MLD was created by Emil Vodder in the 1930's. Vodder was a doctor in philosophy, biology, and physiotherapy. He started out using the therapy to treat people with colds. He noticed that people with colds often had swollen lymph nodes. At the time doctor's were discouraged from tampering with the lymphatic system because it hadn't been studied extensively. Despite this taboo, Vodder began to study the system and developed a series of gentle sweeping stokes to push the lymph through capillaries just beneath the skin.

Now the therapy is used to treat pre and post-operative problems. It can be used to treat a variety of conditions.

manual lymphatic drainage

lymphedema
burns
fluid retention
lymph node removal
allergies
chronic fatigue syndrome
chronic mastitis
headaches
scar tissue
chronic sinusitis

During an Manual Lymphatic Drainage session the therapist massages the skin directly with no massage lotion or oil. Light strokes are used to stretch the walls of the lymphatic ducts.

Your therapist will teach you some self-massage techniques to use between therapy sessions. These techniques involve gently stroking your skin in the direction of your lymph nodes. You must be properly taught by a professional MLD therapist in order to do the self-massage techniques correctly.

You shouldn't get this type of massage if you have cellulitis or fever. If you get this type of massage you may experience an increased need to urinate after the massage that could continue for the rest of the day. This happens because fluid has been pushed to your kidneys during the massage and your kidneys turn that fluid into urine.

As with all massages, be sure to drink plenty of water after your manual lymphatic drainage session to replenish lost fluids.