What is a Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) massage?
Lymphatic massage, also known as manual lymphatic drainage (MLD), is a specialized form of therapeutic massage. It's often done for detoxification and to help boost the immune system, but doctors frequently recommend it to help speed recovery by reducing post-surgical swelling, particularly after procedures like liposuction and tummy tucks. It can also help speed up your results after a nonsurgical body contouring procedure.
This massage therapy technique uses very light pressure to encourage drainage of the lymph fluid that accumulates after trauma to the lymphatic system. Practitioners typically use the Vodder method, developed in the 1930s by married doctors Emil and Estrid Vodder.
The gentle, rhythmic movements of the massage follow the direction of lymph flow. The massage therapist sends leaked lymphatic fluid toward nearby lymph nodes. Then the nodes empty it into the bloodstream.
Lymphatic massage can be especially important after a mastectomy that includes lymph node removal (often from the armpits), to reduce the risk of breast cancer recurrence. Losing those lymph nodes can lead to lymphedema, swelling that can develop in the arms, hands, chest, or torso. Many mastectomy patients are taught to perform massage at home on a daily basis to prevent potentially debilitating fluid build-up.
Who can benefit from LDM?
Lymphatic drainage massage helps remove waste and toxins from the bodily tissues. This helps to:
• Boosts immune system
• Detoxifies your body from drugs and other chemicals by draining fat, unwanted fluids, toxins and other waste products from your cells.
• Lymphatic massage may be necessary to return the body to a natural state of flow so that healing from multiple infections, inflammation, medications, elevated toxic burden, and heavy metal poisoning can occur more quickly.
• Faster and better post surgery recovery from many cosmetic procedures.
• Increases ones’ ability to sleep.
• Alleviates pain.
Lymphatic drainage is a technique thought to treat a wide variety of health conditions characterized by tissue swelling, including:
o Chronic venous insufficiency
o Fibromyalgia
o Menopause
o Orthopedic surgery
o Osteoarthritis
o Post-mastectomy lymphedema
o Rheumatoid arthritis
o Systemic sclerosis
• Lymphatic drainage is also sometimes used to treat peripheral edema, the generalized swelling of tissues in the arms or legs not inherently associated with the lymphatic system.
Contact Lotuslight Wellness - Massage Therapy | Yoga | Wellness
To schedule an appointment with Licensed Massage Therapist, Yoga Instructor and Wellness Coach, Karmen M. Plasencia, LMT, CYT, B.A., please call (813) 468-5130.
I believe in the spirit that dwells in all of us that connects us to the divine nature of the universe. When we honor that sacred space within us, it empowers us to make the world a better place.
Providing massage services to patients in Tampa, Brandon, Carrollwood, Town N' Country, Bloomingdale, Northdale, Westchase, Palm River, Lutz, Wesley Chapel, Land O Lakes, Palm Harbor, St. Pete, Clearwater and the greater Central Florida area.