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Lymphatic Drainage Therapy

 

Manual Lymphatic Drainage Massage (MLD) is a massage technique that helps to reduce swelling and improve aesthetic results by decreasing congestion of the tissue. “The therapist will massage extra fluid towards the lymphatic tissue so that it is more quickly absorbed by the body.  After liposuction, Smart-lipo, Cool Sculpting or other cosmetic surgery procedure, you may notice a hardness or lumpiness to the areas treated with liposuction, Smart-lipo, or Cool Sculpting especially in the abdominal area and even more, so if combined with other body contouring procedures (such as fat injections for what is popularly known as the Brazilian Butt Lift) This is normal right after your procedure. This post-surgical lymphedema is caused by inflammation and trauma from the cannula (an instrument that sucks out the fat) moving under the skin. Channels are formed by the cannula that can fill up with fluid and the tissue also becomes swollen.  Manual Lymph Massage helps to move the fluid by gently pumping it back into the lymph vessels. Reducing the swelling can reduce discomfort. Without Lymph Massage (LDT or MLD) the inflammation can evolve into fibrosis (a permanent hardening of the tissue) or a seroma (pocket of serum) can form. Many doctors prescribe Lymph Drainage Therapy after liposuction or other plastic surgery procedures to make sure their patients get the best possible results from their procedure. It’s recommended that patients who underwent surgeries, begin with MLD within 24 hours after surgery. The first week it is recommended that sessions be daily or every other day, if possible.  The second week, every other day, reducing in frequency after that. Some patients get 1-5 treatments post-operatively and that is enough, especially if the only area of liposuction was the legs, knees, or flanks. People getting liposuction to the abdomen often find they require up to 10 sessions.  Occasionally a client will need more than 12, especially if they had "Smart-lipo". 

Therapeutic ultrasound is often used by therapists to reduce pain, increase circulation and increase the mobility of soft tissues. Additionally, the application of ultrasound can be helpful in the reduction of inflammation, reducing pain, and healing of injuries and wounds. 

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