This treatment is available for healthy clients wanting to reduce swelling. However if you have cancer or are recovering from surgery you must speak to your healthcare provider and make sure that the treatment is suitable. Only once you have been cleared by a medical professional can you have manual lymphatic drainage.

Manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) is a way of reducing swelling (lymphoedema) caused by fluid build up. Lymphoedema can sometimes develop due to cancer or cancer treatment. It is also highly effective for the treatment of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome /ME/Fibromyalgia and has been a pivotal point of recovery for Post or Long Covid. This treatment helps boost the immune system, eliminating toxins, bacteria, germs and excess fluid from the body. MLD is also very beneficial for post-surgical recovery (liposuction, lymph node removal, fibrosis).

FAQs

Who can have Manual Lymphatic Drainage?

Anyone can have manual lymphatic drainage (Manual Lymphatic Drainage), those who may benefit the most are people who want to boost their immune system, manage swelling, has lymphoedema/lipoedema, ME/CFS or want to try a deeply relaxing treatment.

It is a very relaxing and gentle treatment.

It is designed to be safe for individuals after cancer treatments, surgery, or injuries that damage lymph nodes. It can also be beneficial following cosmetic procedures or top surgery by increasing the speed of recovery, reducing inflammation, swelling, and the formation of scar tissue.

How does manual lymphatic drainage work?

When you have MLD, you feel a very light pressure. The skin-stretching movements are very light, slow, and rhythmic. This manually stimulates lymphatic flow and drainage.

The aim of MLD is to guide fluid from the swollen area into a place where the lymphatic system can drain it or where it works efficiently.

Your therapist will begin by treating unaffected lymph nodes. This frees up space for fluid from the affected area to drain into. It might seem strange to have skin movements on your e.g. chest and neck if you have lymphoedema in your arm. But it means that the fluid has somewhere to drain to when the therapist treats e.g. your arm.

They then work down the limb/ further away from the main drainage points to empty out those areas. And finally back to the main drainage nodes to clear lymph fluid away.

They will use some very light pressure and slow, rhythmic movements. Your therapist may ask you to do some breathing techniques during the treatment to help stimulate the lymph nodes in your diaphragm.

Is it painful?

Quite the opposite. The pressure used is extremely light and gentle. It should be pain free and is often deeply relaxing.

If you’ve recently had surgery or have chronic pain your therapist will check in with you to make sure it is not uncomfortable.

After having manual lymphatic drainage (MLD)

After the treatment you may feel lighter, more flexible and may need to pee more for the next day.

Make sure you drink lots of water so you don’t get dehydrated and to increase the effectiveness of treatment.

Your therapist can also show you how to do a simple version of MLD at home or between sessions. It is a type of self-massage called simple lymphatic drainage (SLD).

How many treatments will I need?

Lymphoedema/lipedema – This is a chronic conditions so Manual Lymphatic Drainage is not a cure but is key to managing symptoms and preventing complications. Your therapist can teach you how to do techniques at home.

Post cosmetic surgery – Always check with your surgeon that it is safe to have Manual Lymphatic Drainage. They may create a treatment schedule for you. It is usually recommended around 4-8 sessions straight after the surgery, then a maintenance phase, but it depends on the type of surgery and the individuals healing rate.

After Lymph node removals – Always check with your medical team that you are cleared to have Manual Lymphatic Drainage. They make create a treatment schedule for you as the number greatly depends on the individuals specific needs and varies person to person.

For managing symptoms of chronic conditions (ME/CFS, rheumatoid arthritis, sinus issues or fibromyalgia etc.) – That depends on how ti fits into your life and the length that you feel the benefits of each treatment. Some people get treatments during flare ups, whilst others get maintenance ones.