​

Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD)

Manual Lymphatic Drainage, or MLD, is a gentle yet powerful form of bodywork that is intended to stimulate and encourage the natural movement of the lymph, which carries waste products away from the tissues back towards the heart.  It is a technique based on gentle, rhythmic and constant movements that mimic the rhythm of the body’s lymphatic system.

Although lymphatic massage may not be as common as other types of massage modalities, the benefits that it provides are numerous.  If you are feeling a bit sluggish, experiencing mild to moderate swelling, recovering from an injury or surgery, or interested in optimizing your immune system MLD could be the therapeutic option for you.

Manual Lymphatic Drainage is also extremely effective in treating post-surgical swelling caused by liposuction, abdominoplasty, facelift, breast lift/reduction, and many, many other elective, reconstructive, and cosmetic surgeries.  This treatment is also extremely effective in reducing the lumps and bumps that can be associated with liposuction.

 This massage technique helps to reduce swelling and improve aesthetic results by decreasing congestion of the tissue. 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, arms, knees, or flanks. People getting liposuction to the abdomen often find they require up to 15 sessions.  Occasionally a client will need more than 20, especially if they had "Liposuction 360 or Tummy Tuck". 

Therapeutic ultrasound, the association between manual lymphatic drainage and the therapeutic ultrasound reduced the swelling and the tissue fibrosis and made pain disappear in liposuction and lipoabdominoplasty PO period. Ultrasound lymphatic massage leads to drainage of built-up fluids, this activates the lymphatic system, helps increase blood flow to the area which can quicken the healing process. In some patients, this may also minimize scar formation. Ultimately, it also can improve skin quality which benefits both the inward and outward healing of the incisions.

​

​​

​​