What is Manual Lymph Drainage?

Manual Lymph Drainage (MLD) is an advanced therapy technique which has been proven medically in Europe. MLD is a gentle, rhythmical form of massage developed in the 1930's by Dr Emil Vodder from Denmark. This precise technique uses a hands-on method with a required amount of gentle pressure, working directly with the lymphatic system.

What is the Lymphatic System?

The lymphatic system is not only a major route for the absorption of nutrients from the digestion into the tissues and an important carrier of immune cells, it is also the body's metabolic waste-disposal system. Carrying away waste matter from the cells and tissues, and clearing away toxins - the by-product of fatigue and stress.

What are lymph nodes?

Throughout the body there are between 600-800 lymph nodes, approximately one third are in the neck. They vary in size from a pinhead to the size of small almond. Lymph nodes act as filtering stations and play an important role in the body's defence mechanisms, fighting infection by removing excess protein, dead or abnormal cells and bacteria.

What are the benefits of MLD?

This precise and gentle technique can accelerate the normal functioning of the lymphatic system, speeding up the waste removal system by cleansing the connective tissue of inflammatory material and waste products, therefore improving the elimination process.

The lymph fluid is drained towards the desired therapeutic areas throughout the body by a light scoop, pump and push technique. Thereby reducing oedema through the lymph vessels and blood capillaries.

MLD enhances the activity of the immune system, reduces pain, relaxes the muscles of the body and has a balancing effect on the nervous system.

This treatment can be useful in treating all kinds of conditions especially if it involves lymphostatic oedema. MLD is particularly beneficial in the treatment of lymphostatic oedema and is practised in the Royal Marsden Hospital, London.

What is lymphoedema?

Lymphoedema or swelling in the lymphatic system occurs when ever this drainage system doesn't work effectively and the waste and fluid gets 'bunged up' like a blocked sewer.

The body, however, always attempts to find an alternative route but if the body fails to set up another route to keep the waste flowing out, lymphoedema forms. This can result in long-term swelling of parts of the body - most commonly a limb.

There are many reasons why the lymphatic system may fail, there are two main groups: Primary lymphoedema can appear at birth, during puberty or later in life.

Usually there is a lack of lymphatic vessels; sometimes there are many, but they are very dilated and do not pump properly, sometimes a combination of both.

Secondary lymphoedema is related to damaged or blockage of lymph drainage routes following an infection, injury, surgery or radiotherapy in the treatment of cancer and many other medical conditions.

How can MLD help?

When the lymph system is in need of treatment the body shows signs of:

What other specific conditions can MLD help?

Jane receives numerous referrals from the medical profession for Manual Lymphatic Drainage treatment for patients who have undergone surgery, these include general surgery, amputations, cosmetic surgery, mastectomy, dentistry, etc. etc.

Can MLD help alleviate stress?

Yes. Stress is difficult to avoid and a part of modern life, affecting everyone from children to the elderly. When we are exposed to long-term stress we begin to feel fatigued, anxious and depressed.

Our nervous system is made up of the sympathetic nervous system, the day nerve which allows us to work, and the parasympathetic nervous system which renews our strength, helps to induce sleep, aiding digestion, repair and regeneration. When we are stressed the sympathetic nervous system becomes stronger and the parasympathetic nervous system becomes weaker causing an imbalance.

The nervous system becomes drained and the immune system depleted making us more susceptible to immune deficiency diseases. MLD has a calming and balancing effect on the nervous system. Prevention is better than cure.