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What is Manual Lymphatic Drainage?
Manual lymphatic drainage is an specialised therapy technique developed in Europe by Dr. Emil and Estrid Vodder in the 1930's, and It is extensively used today to improve the inner workings of the lymphatic system. In using the lightest strokes, it can energise, release wastes and toxins, boosts the immune system, reduces fluid retention and improve circulation. |
Unlike the circulatory system, the lymphatic system has no pump and relies on body activity and muscular compressions for moving the lymphatic fluid around the body. When the Lymphatic System becomes blocked, due to fatigue, emotional shock, being overweight, illness and soft tissue trauma, fluid builds up and stagnates. This causes the entire system to become toxic, making us feel sluggish, tired and more susceptible to viral or contagious disease. By stimulating the system through MLD, it works more efficiently, by which in turn boosts the immune system, clear blockages, eliminates toxins, enables nutrients to across extracellular fluid to reach cells and homeostasis is maintained.
How does MLD work?
The lymphatic system consists of a network of lymphatic vessels, that collect clear fluid called lymph from the body, and transports and filters it out through the lymph nodes, before returning to the blood circulatory system via the lymphatic ducts. The capillaries, the smallest lymphatic vessels, that take in the fluid are very tiny and sensitive, so care needs to be taken when pushing the lymph fluid through them. Therefore, Manual lymphatic drainage is a very soft slow and specialised form of massage that utilises a very light gentle pressure, hardly any more than the weight of your hand resting on the skin, combined with the soft pumping motion in the direction towards the lymph nodes. This technique works by lightly stretching the walls of the lymph vessels in opening their valves in order to assist in the flow of lymph drainage. Because the lymphatic system flows in one direction only, it is important that the channels are free at the proximal end before sending fluid down the vessels, in order to reach and clear the fluid at the distal end.
MLD can be used either when there is a healthy working lymphatic system or when there is some interruption in the lymph system operating in a limb/s as in lymphedema. However, the two technique principles are different.
Normally, lymphatic massage consists essentially of strokes along the course of lymphatic vessels and nodes in order to assist the drainage. This technique is ineffective in the treatment of lymphedema and some lymphatic vessels and nodes are either blocked or absent and therefore non-functional and the path route needs to be modified or changed.
What is Lymphedema?
Oedema is the medical term for swelling, so lymphedema is the name given to describe a swelling, which is due to some abnormality, malfunction or obstruction of the lymphatic system. It can be primary, meaning congenital, i.e. absence of lymph vessels or secondary, meaning destruction, i.e. inflammation, trauma, surgery or removal of lymph nodes. If lymphatic vessels or nodes are absent, malformed, damaged, removed or overloaded, the lymphatic drainage can be adversely affected causing protein and fluid to accumulate and stagnate in the tissues. The affected limb can become grossly swollen, painful, heavy, unsightly and incapacitating, if left untreated.
How does MLD work?
The lymphatic system consists of a network of lymphatic vessels, that collect clear fluid called lymph from the body, and transports and filters it out through the lymph nodes, before returning to the blood circulatory system via the lymphatic ducts. The capillaries, the smallest lymphatic vessels, that take in the fluid are very tiny and sensitive, so care needs to be taken when pushing the lymph fluid through them. Therefore, Manual lymphatic drainage is a very soft slow and specialised form of massage that utilises a very light gentle pressure, hardly any more than the weight of your hand resting on the skin, combined with the soft pumping motion in the direction towards the lymph nodes. This technique works by lightly stretching the walls of the lymph vessels in opening their valves in order to assist in the flow of lymph drainage. Because the lymphatic system flows in one direction only, it is important that the channels are free at the proximal end before sending fluid down the vessels, in order to reach and clear the fluid at the distal end.
MLD can be used either when there is a healthy working lymphatic system or when there is some interruption in the lymph system operating in a limb/s as in lymphedema. However, the two technique principles are different.
Normally, lymphatic massage consists essentially of strokes along the course of lymphatic vessels and nodes in order to assist the drainage. This technique is ineffective in the treatment of lymphedema and some lymphatic vessels and nodes are either blocked or absent and therefore non-functional and the path route needs to be modified or changed.
What is Lymphedema?
Oedema is the medical term for swelling, so lymphedema is the name given to describe a swelling, which is due to some abnormality, malfunction or obstruction of the lymphatic system. It can be primary, meaning congenital, i.e. absence of lymph vessels or secondary, meaning destruction, i.e. inflammation, trauma, surgery or removal of lymph nodes. If lymphatic vessels or nodes are absent, malformed, damaged, removed or overloaded, the lymphatic drainage can be adversely affected causing protein and fluid to accumulate and stagnate in the tissues. The affected limb can become grossly swollen, painful, heavy, unsightly and incapacitating, if left untreated.
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Combined decongestive therapy - CDT
The generally known and most effective therapy in treating lymphedema is combined decongestive therapy, which consists of Manual Lymphatic Drainage, Compression Bandages, Respiratory Breathing, exercise and skin care. |
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