Manual Lymphatic Drainage Therapy

What Is Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD)?

MLD is a specialized therapeutic technique that employs the Vodder Method to gently stimulate the lymphatic vessels located just beneath the surface of your skin. This precise touch technique significantly enhances the body’s natural ability to eliminate waste, dead cell particles, and fluid retention from tissues. By accelerating lymphatic flow, MLD effectively reduces pain, swelling, and bruising in injured areas, potentially shortening recovery times.

Surgeons often recommend MLD during the post-operative recovery phase to help prevent or minimize scar tissue formation. Additionally, MLD offers substantial benefits, such as the reduction of chronic swelling and water retention and pain relief from neuropathy, fibromyalgia, and arthritis. MLD also supports lymphatic detoxification, contributing to overall health and bolstering the immune system. 

Important absolute contraindications

Acute or chronic infectionsThrombosis or Blood ClotsCongestive Heart Failure (CHF)Malignant TumorsUncontrolled HypertensionPregnancy (First Trimester)Kidney DysfunctionDiabetes (with Peripheral Neuropathy)
+++++This service does not treat Lymphedema. It is recommended that you seek a Complete Decongestive Therapist. ++++

Before and after post-operative cosmetic surgery lymphatic sessions.

Post-Op MLD pricing

30-Minute session - Face, Head, or Limb Post- Op (Ex: Face, Leg, or Arm Only) - $50
60-Minute session- Post- Op 1-2 Sites (Ex: Tummy Tuck, Breast Augmentation, or BBL) - $100
90-Minute session - Post- Op 3 Sites (Ex: Brachioplasty, Tummy Tuck, and BBL) - $150

* Sessions typically start 5 days post- surgery and can continue for 6 to 8 weeks depending on the type of surgery, complications and your current BMI. 
* Sessions are usually 2 to 3 times a week. 

The Post Op MLD Experience

It’s essential to note that manual lymphatic drainage therapy is distinct from traditional massage therapy. Rather than using pressures to release restrictions in the muscle or fascia, MLD involves gentle touch to stretch the skin in order to address lymphatic system dysfunctions like swelling. Excessive pressure or overstimulation of soft tissues after an injury or surgical procedure can lead to increased pain, swelling, and bruising and may even damage lymphatic vessels.

You can expect a pain-free experience during your MLD session without using lotions or oils. Importantly, MLD does not involve pushing fluid from surgical incisions, a process known as incisional drainage, which carries significant risks of infection and damage to the surgical site and lymphatic vessels. Such a procedure requires a physician’s expertise and is beyond the scope of my practice.

Lymphatic stimulating massage

This powerful full body combination uses manual Lymphatic techniques in a gentle, rhythmic massage that aims to stimulate the lymphatic system and promote the flow of lymph fluid throughout the body. This type of massage is often used to detoxify the body and boost the immune system. Combining this with Swedish massage techniques of light flowing strokes, to relax muscles, improve circulation, and promote overall relaxation. Castor oil applied to the 
abdomen to enhance digestion.

 Very light to light pressures

Pricing 

60 minute session $ 80
90 minute session $110

Manual Lymphatic Drainage with Myofascial Release

                                                                                                            Image of Fascia around bone

The Benefits of Combining Therapies

This comprehensive full-body integrative session begins with stimulation of the major lymphatic nodes, followed by focused attention on restricted areas with little or no use of lotions or oils. Combining manual lymphatic drainage with fascial release and Ortho bionomy techniques during the session can effectively alleviate chronic tightness by reducing edema, increasing range of motion, promoting the removal of cellular debris and lactic acid. Pain cream may be applied at the end of the sessions when necessary. This integrative therapy is particularly effective for addressing body disfunction related to physical and mental traumas, Whiplash, Autoimmune or Myofascial Syndromes.

Light to firm pressures.

Pricing60 minutes- $9090 minutes- $120