Manual Lymphatic Drainage
What is it?
First let’s discuss the lymphatic system. (Know all this already? Skip to the bottom for a description of Manual Lymph Drainage)
What does the it do? Simplified, the lymphatic system protects our bodies from infection and disease.
How does it work? The lymphatic system is comprised of vessels just like the cardiovascular system. However, there are some important differences. The cardiovascular system has the heart to pump the blood through the vessels. The lymphatic system has no pump. The cardiovascular system is closed; the lymphatic system is open. The lymphatic vessels are also much smaller. They are about the size of a hair. These vessels are transparent and embedded in the skin.
When our blood flows through the cardiovascular system, about 80-90% of that fluid returns to the heart. The remaining 10% leaves the blood vessels and enters the space (interstitium) between tissue (muscles, skin, organs). The lymphatic vessels pick up fluid (now called lymph) from the interstitium. The lymph is brought to lymph nodes where it is filtered and returned to the blood stream.
How does it protect us? During filtration in the lymph nodes (of which we have about 600-700 around the body), the immune response is activated to combat things such as allergens - dust, dirt, fungal spores - things that entered through inhalation, digestion or injury.
If there is no pump, how does the lymph move through the vessels?
Who could benefit from Manual Lymph Drainage (MLD)? Everyone can benefit from MLD as it stimulates the immune system. This can help with things such as fighting colds (as long as there is no fever) and detoxing. There are also times when our bodies may not be in optimal health and the first 4 items above are not sufficiently moving the lymph. This is when MLD may help in getting the body back on track.
Conditions that can benefit from MLD are:
What can I expect in a Manual Lymph Drainage (MLD) Session? MLD is a very light modality that addresses the superficial lymphatic system. As these vessels are embedded in the skin, the pressure is only enough to lightly stretch the skin. The stretches are slow and mechanical to aid the absorption of fluid into the lymph vessels.
MLD can be combined with massage therapy or used alone. Dependent on the client and their case, they may start with just 20 minutes of MLD and work up to more so as to not overload the system too quickly. This is especially important in conditions such as Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome where the client may feel sluggish for 1-2 days post treatment.
First let’s discuss the lymphatic system. (Know all this already? Skip to the bottom for a description of Manual Lymph Drainage)
What does the it do? Simplified, the lymphatic system protects our bodies from infection and disease.
How does it work? The lymphatic system is comprised of vessels just like the cardiovascular system. However, there are some important differences. The cardiovascular system has the heart to pump the blood through the vessels. The lymphatic system has no pump. The cardiovascular system is closed; the lymphatic system is open. The lymphatic vessels are also much smaller. They are about the size of a hair. These vessels are transparent and embedded in the skin.
When our blood flows through the cardiovascular system, about 80-90% of that fluid returns to the heart. The remaining 10% leaves the blood vessels and enters the space (interstitium) between tissue (muscles, skin, organs). The lymphatic vessels pick up fluid (now called lymph) from the interstitium. The lymph is brought to lymph nodes where it is filtered and returned to the blood stream.
How does it protect us? During filtration in the lymph nodes (of which we have about 600-700 around the body), the immune response is activated to combat things such as allergens - dust, dirt, fungal spores - things that entered through inhalation, digestion or injury.
If there is no pump, how does the lymph move through the vessels?
- Increased Muscle Contraction (exercise)
- Increased Respiration (deep belly breathing)
- Increased Arterial Pulsation
- Gut Action or Peristalsis (digestion)
- Manual Lymph Drainage
- Compression
Who could benefit from Manual Lymph Drainage (MLD)? Everyone can benefit from MLD as it stimulates the immune system. This can help with things such as fighting colds (as long as there is no fever) and detoxing. There are also times when our bodies may not be in optimal health and the first 4 items above are not sufficiently moving the lymph. This is when MLD may help in getting the body back on track.
Conditions that can benefit from MLD are:
- Lymphedema
- Lipedema
- Pregnancy (swelling in the legs and feet)
- Orthopedic traumas, surgeries, wounds that need healing
- Arthritis
- Fibromyalgia
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
- Lyme Disease
- Venous Insufficiency
- Dermatological Conditions: Acne, Scars, Cellulite, Stretch Marks
What can I expect in a Manual Lymph Drainage (MLD) Session? MLD is a very light modality that addresses the superficial lymphatic system. As these vessels are embedded in the skin, the pressure is only enough to lightly stretch the skin. The stretches are slow and mechanical to aid the absorption of fluid into the lymph vessels.
MLD can be combined with massage therapy or used alone. Dependent on the client and their case, they may start with just 20 minutes of MLD and work up to more so as to not overload the system too quickly. This is especially important in conditions such as Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome where the client may feel sluggish for 1-2 days post treatment.