MANUAL LYMPHATIC DRAINAGE

As a Certified Holistic Manual Lymphatic Drainage Practitioner who began practicing MLD in 2014, I am very excited about the increased popularity of this practice because of the unique benefits that everyone can enjoy.

The lymphatic system is a pretty marvelous part of our wellness. It removes excess fluids from tissue, identifies threats to our immune system, produces white blood cells and antibodies, removes cell debris, and replenishes our circulatory system with fluid. It’s critical to our health that this system functions properly. That’s where I come in…

Unlike the digestive and circulatory system, it relies on the contraction of the surrounding muscles to move fluid through the vessels. Build up of lymph fluid due to injury, surgery, sickness, or a sedentary lifestyle can cause a “kink” in its function and efficacy. When lymph fluid becomes stagnant or leaks back into the tissue it can become acidic or fibrosis and clog the lymphatic pathways. This can lead to a multitude of issues within the tissue and cause the immune system to weaken. Manual Lymphatic Drainage is an easy, gentle, and effective way to help your immune system stay efficient and strong.

I have worked with a wide variety of clientele who have benefited from MLD to help improve their conditions. The three main categories I see people for are pre-surgery, post-surgery + illness, and overall wellness maintenance. Below are session outlines to consider when booking. Please feel free to contact me directly if you are wondering what to book.

• Pre-Surgery: This prep is to set your body up for success by ensuring your immune system responses are in tip top shape. By working with the system prior to surgery it ensures the vessels, nodes, and drains are cleared so not only are healthy lymphocytes able to get to the area to repair the tissue but it also clears any existing edema for optimal accessibility for diagnostics and operation. Ideally, you should receive a handful of sessions 1-2 weeks before surgery, with the last one being 3 days before your surgery.

• Post-Surgery + Illness: These sessions should ideally happen as soon as you’re cleared by your doctor or at least 2 days after you’ve been on antibiotics or without a fever. With your immune system working overtime, it may need a little extra help to clear cellular debris to allow your lymphatic system to function property. Once you’re cleared by your doctor, MLD can clear edema, help with pain management to avoid opioids, prevent fibrosis tissue formation, adhesions, scars, seromans, and improve range of motion, bruising, bowl movements, swelling, and aide in muscle recovery. Sessions can happen everyday as long as needed.

• Overall Wellness Maintenance: Individual needs, lifestyles, and circumstances will dictate the frequency of maintenance sessions you should receive. Typically, maintenance sessions are booked every 1 to 4 weeks.

Some Indications for MLD are: Edema Reduction, Alopecia, Acne, Rosacea, Eczema, Trigeminal Neuralgia, Bell’s Palsy, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Crones Disease, Fibromyalgia, General Pain Reduction Management, Sleep Disruption, Earache/Sinusitis, Respiratory Distress, Bruising Reduction Burns, Scars, Glaucoma, Headaches, Migraines, Physical Trauma (sports or other), Alzheimer’s, Concussions, Parkinson’s, Pre Surgery Prep, Post Surgery Healing, Scar Prevention, and General Bloating. Please consult your physician as needed.

Contraindications can be: Active Infection (must be on antibiotics for at least 2 days), Heart, Liver, Kidney Failure, DVT, High Risk Pregnancy, Unidentified Skin Issues, and Flu or Fever. If you are under the care of a physician, you will need a clearance note. Consult your doctor for waiting period after Injectables/Botox.

MLD can also be used for physical sculpting for events such as body building competitions but the physical changes are NOT long lived or permanent in anyway.