Top 5 Benefits of Manual Lymphatic Drainage

James Fowler Physical TherapyBack & Neck, Health & Wellness, Massage Therapy, Pain & Pain Management1 Comment

Author: Adrianna Aguilar

Every week or so, you see local sanitation trucks pass the streets around your home or work. These trucks, although sometimes loud and perhaps annoying, are essential to ensuring that waste does not accumulate over time on the sidewalks or roads you traverse each day. The same goes for the cells in your body. The Lymph System serves as the sanitation trucks of the body, picking up waste and fluid products in and around the sidewalks and roads of your cells. Unlike the sanitation trucks that simply take waste away, the Lymph System not only takes the waste away but cleans the surrounding space. It is composed of a large system of vessels with points called lymph nodes that filter lymph fluid and store lymphocytes. Lymphocytes, though small cells, are responsible for eliminating toxins and abnormal cells in the body. (1)

Just as sidewalks look and work better for folks to pass when clean, so does your body work better when the Lymph System is working efficiently and well. It is the main component of the Immune System; thus when it flows at a healthy rate, the body can defend itself against viruses or illness. Conversely, when the system is compromised or is blocked by waste, the body is more likely to fall ill and feel fatigued. (1)

Manual Lymph Drainage, MLD®, developed in Europe by Dr. Emil and Estrid Vodder, is a safe, effective, and gentle approach to cleansing the body’s tissues and preventing waste buildups that cause tiredness and fatigue. Lymphatic drainage supports the entire lymph system, and it helps to improve mental and physical health. (2) In addition, it assists the system in removing metabolic wastes, excess water, toxins, bacteria, large protein molecules and foreign substances from the tissues. With this support, the body can benefit from lymphatic drainage in the following 5 ways (to name a handful):

  1. Surgical: Post-cancerous surgeries, Pre or Post all Surgeries, Varicose veins, Post-Liposuction
  2. Musculoskeletal: Sprains and strains, Rheumatoid arthritis and tendonitis
  3. Various conditions: Sinusitis, Fibromyalgia, Toxic poisoning, IBS, Acne
  4. Metabolic problems: Fatigue, Sleep disorders, Stress
  5. Post Trauma: Minimize Scars, Shorten the healing period

James Fowler Physical Therapy (2)

What are Other Benefits of Manual Lymph Drainage (MLD)?

Manual Lymphatic Drainage Massages, or MLDs, are good for the body and have proven to benefit many individuals. Here are just some of the immediate effects that you may feel after your massage. You may notice reduced swelling and reduced pain. Note, once swelling has reduced, you may experience pain levels that increase temporarily, then decrease after. MLDs are known to also reduce stress; coupled with pain reduction, many find that there is an improvement in the quality of their sleep and rest time. Last, but not least, MLDs have shown to also improve digestive health and various skin conditions. It is for its many benefits that we have established that the effects of manual lymphatic drainage massages can increase your overall wellbeing.

Here at James Fowler Physical Therapy you can work with our resident Lymphatic Drainage Specialist, Claire Posada, to find if MLD® is an option for you to decrease waste in your cells and increase efficiency and immunity within the body. Call us today to schedule an appointment!

 

  1. “The Benefits of Lymphatic Massage” (https://www.massagetherapy.com/articles/benefits-lymphatic-massage) Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals, 2019.
  2. “Lymphatic Drainage” (https://jamesfowlerpt.com/massage-therapy/lymphatic-drainage/) James Fowler Physical Therapy. 2019.

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