Manual Lymphatic Drainage

What is Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD)?

MLD is a very gentle, relaxing and painless face and body treatment which focuses directly on improving the function of the Lymphatic System. It is a slow, rhythmical, pumping massage technique which encourages the healthy flow of lymph around the body.

Conditions which could benefit from MLD

Fluid Retention
Assistance with weight loss
Swellings from sprains/muscle injury/Sports Injuries
Arthritis
ME
MS
Sinusitis
Fatigue
Cellulite
Aches and pains
Headaches
Tension and Stress
Digestive problems
Lymphoedema **

Your Lymphatic System and its role in maintaining good health

The Lymphatic System consists of vessels, ducts and nodes and is part of your blood circulatory system. It is basically your internal cleaning system for the whole body as it is responsible for removing excess fluids, proteins and waste products from the connective tissue and taking it back to the blood stream to subsequently be removed by the elimination organs. During this complex transportation process, the lymph fluid is cleaned, concentrated and filtered by one of the many lymph nodes. The lymphatic system is also a major part of the Immune System as it filters out foreign pathogen “invaders” and destroys them. It works on a one way principle and unlike the blood circulatory system, it does not have a heart to pump it around the body. It relies totally on muscular and skeletal movement.

Is your Lymphatic System sluggish?

If the Lymphatic system works well, we feel well. When we feel tired, fatigued, run down and feeling generally unwell, it could mean that congestion within the lymphatic system has occurred. When there is congestion, waste products cannot be removed and new healthy nutrients that are vital to the human cell’s very existence cannot get there and so the cells work less efficiently.

The Lymphatic System could be described as a complex modern sewage treatment plant. It is vital for the maintenance of human life because if it fails to function correctly, excessive fluids and toxins build up causing the body pain, loss of energy, infection and disease. For example if we forget to clean out the filters and not keep the pipes clean in our heating and air conditioning systems, they will start to wear down and work less efficiently making it incapable of working at optimum performance. This is the same for the human body.

How Can MLD Help?

The effects of MLD are numerous and generally it affects the nervous system, so aiding pain relief and encouraging relaxation, smooth muscles, fluid movement in the connective tissue by stimulating the lymph vessels and possibly has an affect on the immune system (though this has not yet been proven).

Is MLD Compatible with other treatments?

MLD combines extremely well with other complementary and orthodox treatments. As with all complementary therapies, some conditions may require consent from your physician.

I combine MLD with essential oils that have an affinity with the Lymphatic system to get the best possible results, such as those which are diuretic, circulatory stimulants, antiviral, and lymphatic tonics.

** Lymphoedema

Lymphoedema is the name given to localized swelling, usually in the arms or legs, that occurs as a result of an impaired lymphatic system. This impairment can occur following surgery, radiotherapy, injury or even infection and sometimes simply because of the make up of your genes. Lymphoedema can occur in anyone- men, women and children. If any of the lymph vessels or nodes are damaged and cannot function, MLD treatments move this fluid to working vessels, draining the fluid away enabling the swelling to decrease.