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Manual Lymph Drainage

MLD is an increasingly popular, specialised, gentle and extremely effective form of massage, which utilises intrinsic features of the body’s lymphatic system.

Developed in the 1930s by Drs Estrid and Emil Vodder, MLD is a treatment for an extremely wide range of conditions and, as part of Combined Decongestive Therapy, is the treatment of choice for lymphoedema.   It is an authentically holistic treatment, the therapeutic benefits of which are supported by scientific research. The conditions for which MLD is used can be broadly divided into two categories, those in which it works with a healthily functioning lymphatic system, and those in which the lymphatic system is damaged

The lymphatic system plays a crucial role in protecting the body from infection, and also has a vital ‘safety valve function’, maintaining the correct balance of fluid throughout the tissues of the body.

The system normally functions at low capacity and is able to increase this when necessary, for example when heat, exercise or acute inflammation bring more fluid into the tissues.   Sometimes the volume of fluid is too great for the system to keep up with and oedema, or swelling, occurs.  When this balance changes, essential nutrients such as oxygen can no longer reach the tissues easily, and the removal of metabolic waste products is hindered, but if there is no serious underlying cause, and the lymphatic system is functioning healthily,  this will normally resolve itself.  

Nonetheless, even with a healthy lymphatic system there are times when oedema may affect us, for example pre-menstrual fluid retention and low grade inflammation such as rhinitis, or where we want the system to function more actively, for example with some skin conditions, or cellulite, and MLD can stimulate this. 

And, because every cell of the body contains and is surrounded by fluid, increases in the amount of this can affect every tissue.  It can for example, produce ‘puffy eyes’, but it can also cause back ache by pressing on nerves.  There are therefore many conditions which can be alleviated by MLD.

However, If for any reason the lymphatics are not functioning properly the subsequent oedema will result in additional problems caused by the presence of protein molecules in the retained fluid; eventually these cause the tissues to harden, which further affects the flow of lymph, detrimental changes occur to the skin and the risk of infection greatly increases.  It is the ‘protein rich’ quality of this oedema that characterises the condition lymphoedema, and distinguishes it from others.

Using MLD

Manual lymph drainage treatment is applied with particular focus on the part of the body requiring attention.  In addition to stimulating the lymphatic system, MLD also affects the autonomic nervous system, making a treatment extremely relaxing and soothing, and lowering blood pressure.  It also interrupts the transmission of pain signals to the brain, providing drug free relief.  MLD itself is painless and very gentle and it is quite normal for a client to fall asleep during an MLD session!

Here are some conditions which respond to MLD

• fluid retention, including discomfort during pregnancy
• swelling and pain following injury or surgery
• sinus problems
• hay fever
• ‘moon face’ from steroid use
• migraine
• backache
• acne and other skin conditions
• the appearance of scars and stretch marks

MLD can also ease effects of

• chronic fatigue syndrome
• multiple sclerosis
• rheumatoid arthritis
• cystic fibrosis

MLD for beauty

MLD has cosmetic uses, for example refining the appearance, and reducing ‘puffy’ eyes cellulite - In Europe it is a well established treatment for this condition a course of MLD before and after cosmetic surgery improves healing and reduces recovery time

MLD for sport

Everyone who participates in sports hopes to do so to the best of their abilities, to avoid injury and to maintain fitness. MLD can quickly reduce swelling and inflammation following minor injuries and therefore helps these heal quicker, and it greatly speeds up the removal of lactic acid from the tissues. In Europe MLD is used  as a maintenance treatment by high performance athletes.

For the athlete, one of the great advantages of using MLD is that it is completely drug free.

MLD is best taken as an intensive course of treatments, to gain most benefits from the therapy.

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