Lymphatic Drainage Massage

Lymphatic drainage is method of massage that helps remove waste and toxins from the body. The therapy helps the lymphatic system to fight infections and is beneficial for pain relief, migraines and lymphoedema. Lymphatic drainage and can also improve skin texture, speed up scar tissue and improve stretch marks.

In This Article

History	How Does It Work?
A Typical Appointment	Treatment Time / Cost / Number Of Sessions
Is It Right For You?

History

The history of Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) dates back to the early 20th century and the therapy's origins derive from the work of Canadian osteopath Frederic Millard and a Danish massage therapist and philosophy doctor Emil Vodder. Frederic Millard first used the term 'lymphatic drainage' when he proposed an osteopathic technique that involved palpating the lymph glands to diagnose disease.
Dr Emil Vodder and his wife Estrid pioneered 'lymphology' medicine while working in the French Riviera. When treating people with chronic sinusitis and diffuse acne, Vodder observed patients had swollen nymph nodes and was inspired to try and help drain the lymph fluid.
Taking Frederic Millard's work and research on the structure of the lymphatic system, the Vodders then developed careful hand techniques to cause movement in the lymph nodes helping to cleanse the lymphatic fluid system. By 1936, and after four years of research, the Vodders introduced their technique in Paris.

At the time, the medical profession frowned on tampering with the lymphatic system due to a lack of knowledge and understanding. However, by the 1960s lymphatic drainage established credibility due to a comprehensive study by German physician Dr. Johannes Askonik. His successful tests on 20,000 patients helped to verify the credibility of MLD by measuring its efficiency and finding its indications and contra-indications.

Manual Lymphatic Drainage is now a recognised technique used throughout the world by physiotherapists, chiropractors, nurses and massage therapists. Practitioners typically use Dr. Vodder's Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) method although you may be treated using the Veltheim Method of Lymphatic Drainage (VMLD) developed in 2004 by Dr John Veltheim or the Leduc, Földi, Casley-Smith or Asdonk methods.

How Does It Work?

The lymphatic system is a vital part of our body's immune system carrying a fluid (known as lymph) which helps the body's defence against infection. By filtering and removing toxins, excess water, bacteria and metabolic waste from the body, the lymphatic system helps with our fight against infection.

The lymphatic system is a network of vessels connected by lymph nodes (or glands). The main lymph node groups can be found and felt in the armpits, groin and neck. The nodes act as filters for the lymph which travels around the vessels. Lymph moves around the vessels by the contraction of tiny muscular units. This function can be hindered by factors such as infection, stress, fatigue, lack of physical activity and age.

When the lymphatic system fails to function properly, toxins can build up within the body's tissue causing swelling, infection or disease. Lymphatic Drainage uses very light hand movements, pressure and long rhythmic strokes to move the lymph toward the lymph nodes where the body can filter and dispose of waste more easily.

Lymphatic Drainage helps to improve the flow of lymph giving a powerful effect to health and wellbeing. It is beneficial for the fight against infection, healing, recovery from illness, pain relief, migraine treatment, treating cellulite and reducing water retention. It is especially effective for the treatment of lymphoedema (swelling - typically in the arms or legs due to an impaired lymphatic system).

Lymphatic Drainage is also beneficial for improving the skin's texture by reducing swelling, cleaning pores and speeding up scar tissue (in particular the improvement of stretch marks after childbirth).

A Typical Appointment

Be prepared
It is advisable to choose a Lymphatic Drainage practitioner who is a member of, or is accredited by, an association or professional body. This ensures your session is carried out in a suitable environment and by someone who has received formal training and ongoing development. Members are also bound to a code of ethics and practice. The main organisations are listed at the foot of this article.

On finding a practitioner, ask about their expertise with Lymphatic Drainage and testimonials from previous clients. Also ask them to explain which Lymphatic Drainage method they use and its benefits compared to other methods.

To get the full benefit of your treatment, give yourself plenty of time to arrive at your appointment and avoid rushing about before or afterwards. Before your session it is advisable to avoid alcohol or eating a large meal – drink plenty of water before and after to help flush the toxins from your body.

Inform your therapist if you're pregnant (or think you might be) and let them know about any medications you take, allergies you suffer with or skin problems you may have. This information is vital and may affect your treatment program.

What to expect
Lymphatic Drainage is a hands-on massage treatment that will take place in a heated room – warmth improves and increases the lymphatic flow and also helps you relax. Treatment usually takes place on a massage table and you'll need to remove clothing. You will be draped in towels but if you feel uncomfortable with removing too much of your clothing let your therapist know.

The therapist will typically begin working from the feet upwards using long, rhythmic and gentle strokes as well as soft pumping movement within the direction of the nodes. Your first session may involve a full-body treatment which can take up to an hour while localised sessions take about 30-45 minutes.

After your session you may feel tired or exhausted and need to lie down. Try to keep your schedule for the rest of the day free and ease back into any physical activity slowly You may also feel thirsty after your session so you should ensure you drink plenty of water afterwards.

Treatment Time / Cost / Number Of Sessions

Your first session may last longer than follow-up sessions as your practitioner gains an understanding of your condition and asks questions about your medical history. If you have a full-body treatment this can take up to an hour or more while localised treatment (face/neck or neck/torso) can last anywhere from 30-60 minutes.

Cost of a Lymphatic Drainage session will vary depending on your location so check with your local practitioner before booking an appointment. Expect to pay £50 - £75 for a session.

The number of sessions you require will depend on your particular condition. Many people find a monthly session benefits their overall health while more chronic problems will require weekly sessions lasting a month or more.

Is It Right For You?

Lymphatic Drainage is a safe and effective therapy when carried out by a trained practitioner. Cleansing the body of toxins, and improving the lymphatic flow, can play an important part in maintaining a healthy immune system and is therefore beneficial to everyone even if you feel in good health.

Consult with your GP and Lymphatic Drainage practitioner about any problems or concerns you have as they are trained to recognise who should and shouldn't use the therapy.

Featured Lymphatic Drainage Massage Practitioners

Amanda Wilson Massage Therapy Hove East Sussex	Annie Hazledine Complementary Therapy Maidstone Kent
Carole Vallance Massage Therapy Friern Barnet London	Catherine Ismail Massage Therapy Barnet Hertfordshire
Chand Patel Reflexology Ear Candling Pinner and Harrow	Croydon Sports Injury Clinic Complementary Therapy South Croydon Surrey
Dena Schwartz Complementary Therapy Borehamwood Hertfordshire	Didi Raynova Reiki and Massage Therapy Walthamstow
Dipak Patel Complementary Therapy Kensington Central London	Eleanor Henderson Massage Therapy Ipswich Suffolk
Franki Napolitano Massage Therapy Basingstoke	Fruzsina Kolmont Massage Therapy Westminster Central London
Ian Cocklin Complementary Therapy Wallington Greater London	Justyna Tur Massage Therapy Notting Hill London
Karen Borthwick Massage Therapy Bury St Edmunds Suffolk	Kate Childers Complementary Therapy Ely Cambridgeshire
Kingston Natural Health Centre Kingston Upon Thames	Laura Stannard Medical Herbalist and Massage Therapist Crewe Cheshire
LBJ Aromatherapy Massage Therapy Enfield North London	Lesley Davies Massage Therapy Ringwood Hampshire
LUCERNE CLINIC Holistic Massage Kensington West London	Mariana Arando Massage Therapy East Finchley North London
Mariana Arando Massage Therapy East Finchley North London	Michelle Cunningham Aromatherapy Massage Therapy Aberdeen City
Mind Body Spirit Health Complementary Therapy Stowmarket Suffolk	My Monthly Massage Shepperton Surrey
Nicola Read Holistic Therapies Leckhampton Cheltenham	Pratik Visaria Osteopathy Dunstable Bedfordshire
Sarah Warren Complementary Therapy Leeds West Yorkshire	Superior Massage Covent Garden Central

	Lymphatic Drainage Articles Learn more by reading GoToSee's Health Articles		Lymphatic Drainage Health News Read GoToSee's Health News
	Lymphatic Drainage Colleges & Courses Find your nearest Colleges & Courses		Subscribe Subscribe to our Health Articles Click Here Subscirbe to our Health News Click Here