Manual Lymphatic Drainage: What it is, how it works, Benefits, Contraindications, and Post Treatment

What is Manual Lymphatic Drainage?

Manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) is a superficial technique to encourage the natural drainage of the lymph, which carries waste products away from the tissues back toward the heart.  The lymphatic system depends on intrinsic contractions of the smooth muscle cells in the walls of lymph vessels and the movement of, to propel lymph through the vessels to lymph nodes and then to the lymph ducts which return lymph to the cardiovascular system.  Manual lymph drainage uses a specific amount of pressure and rhythmic circular movements to stimulate lymph flow.  Lymph vessels are as thin as a strand of silk so the pressure we use is feather light, barely moving the skin.  This technique is easy on your body and the incredible effect for your clients’ body.

How the Lymphatic System Works

The lymphatic system is made up of lymph, lymph vessels, lymph nodes and four organs-the tonsils, the spleen, the thymus gland and Peyer’s patches.  (Peyer’s patches are small masses of lymphatic tissue found throughout the ileum region of the small intestine).

As blood flows around the body under pressure, it leaks out (in a controlled way) liquid.  This liquid is primarily water but also contains proteins, electrolytes and nutrients.  As it is secreted by cells it enters into the interstitial spaces, which is the spaces, between individual cells in the tissues.  Once the fluid is out of the bloodstream and in the tissue spaces, it is called interstitial fluid or lymph.  In the average adult, every day nearly 20 liters of fluids are released in the interstitial spaces.  This accounts for around 11% of all body fluid.

The role of the lymph is to both deliver nutrition to cells and take away waste products.

As we move, our muscles contract and force the lymph- into lymphatic capillaries which collect the lymph and as these capillaries combine to make larger vessels it is carried to the lymphatic ducts.

Interconnecting lymphatic ducts eventually dump it into the subclavian veins via one of two principal vessels, the right lymphatic duct and the left lymphatic duct (also known as thoracic duct).  These veins are close to the clavicle or collar bone.

The right lymphatic duct collects lymph form the upper right side of the body and empties it into the right subclavian vein.  The thoracic duct receives lymph from the rest of the body and empties it into the left subclavian vein.

MLD Benefits

Healing after Surgery

When you think of someone who’s just had surgery, what do you think are the symptoms they typically experience?

Maybe you have first-hand experience of what it feels like to come out of surgery.  I know I do.

You have pain and most likely swelling.  One of the worst feelings (other than the pain from the surgical procedure) is the discomfort and tightness you feel from the excess fluid or swelling.  This swelling is referred to as edema.

A great non-invasive and relaxing way to reduce edema is MLD.  One of the huge perks to a MLD massage is that it can be performed within days post-surgery.  Its gentle technique does not disrupt the tissue around the surgical site so it does not impede healing.  In actual fact, MLD can actually improve the healing environment of the tissue allowing for a faster recovery.  Lymph fluid transports white blood cells (immune cells) and helps to remove waste from the body.  By helping to move the lymph fluid to its proper drainage areas, we’re ultimately helping to transport immune cells and ensure that waste from the surgical site is being removed.

It’s amazing that our bodies have the ability to heal but what the body uses to fill those gaps, scar tissue, can really cause some problems.  Scar tissue does not lay itself down in a uniformed way.  It is a mishmash of collagen fibers that can cause pain and actually reduce range of motion due to the lack of elasticity.  Scar tissue can also disrupt and block lymph flow which can then lead to increased edema.

Improved Immune System

The immune system is tied to the lymphatic system.  In fact, if flow of lymphatic materials slows, the immune system weakens.  Lymph drainage can improve the function and increase the production of antibodies that fight off infections as well as reduce systemic inflammation.

Relaxation

Lymph drainage is especially relaxing because the slow, methodical rhythm and pressure and repetitive motions allows for the brain to relax and elicit the parasympathetic nervous system to slow heart rate, increase glandular activity, reduce pain and promote general vitality and well-being.

Decongestive Effects

Any swelling of the body, except for cardiac or renal edema, can be treated with MLD.  The lymph system is a “one-way street” to transport cellular waste from the tissue and dispose back into the

Circulatory System.  We will be focusing on the face, neck and decollete, that drains into the axillary nodes.

Other benefits:

·        Softens and mobilizes congestion and sebum

·        Warms tissue to prepare for product absorption

·        Clears upper and lower sinus cavities to improve breathing

·        Calms and relaxes the Central Nervous Systems

·        Relaxes eye muscle fatigue due to strain, poor vision, bad lighting and glasses

·        Stimulates the lymphatic system to decrease puffiness and remove toxins

·        Accelerates cellular metabolism for collagen and elastin synthesis

·        Clears blocked energy channels

·        Brings nutrient and oxygen enriched blood cells to the skin

MLD is used for varying pathologies, what is referred to as therapy strokes, which is adapted to the condition of the particular tissue and may be combined with exercise.  Treating the lymph nodes and vessels down the neck to the point where the two main lymph ducts enter the venous angles on the right and left side (connection of the jugular and subclavian veins).  This is called “clearing the chain lymph nodes down to the terminus”.

For MLD to be effective, it is essential to competently apply the specialized technique and to adjust therapy sessions to the symptoms of the individual patient.  Compared with other massages, MLD has unusual session lengths.  A typical MLD session requires 30 to 45 minutes but may be extended to one and a half hours depending on the condition treated.

Contraindications:

Despite the great variety of applications for MLD, there are a number of hard/soft contraindications:

DO NOT PERFORM MLD

·        Any thrombosis at risk of causing embolism is an absolute contraindication (deep veins)

·        Any metastatic or systemic malignant condition

·        Congestive heart or renal failure

·        Acute infections

·        Undiagnosed lumps

·        Open sores or lesions

·        Under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol

·        Active Lupus

PROCEED WITH CAUTION

·        Edema following carcinoma treatment

·        Thyroid Dysfunction

·        Chronic inflammation

·        Bronchial asthma

·        Hypotension (low BP)

·        Diabetes

·        Known allergies

·        Reactive eczema

·        Inflamed rosacea

·        Blood thinner

·        Acne

·     Edema caused by cardiac decompensation:  these should not be drained manually, as this may exacerbate cardiac decompensation.

Post Treatment

You just stimulated the body’s most powerful system of detoxification, it is very important to stay hydrated to keep the lymphatic system flowing.

Feeling your body as “light and fluffy”

Brain fog

Increased odorous urination

Increased odorous bowel movements

Deeper and more restful sleep

Hunger or cravings for fats

Thirst

Tiredness, wanting to rest or nap

Sinus drainage

Ear drainage

Reduction in swelling

Decrease in headaches

Although there is no scientific evidence for the immunological benefits of MLD, it is well known from experience that MLD reinforces the body’s own mechanisms for resisting illness.  This may be due to the fact that proper lymphatic circulation improves delivery of antigens to the lymph nodes, from where the antibodies formed by the lymph node cells are rapidly distributed by the lymphatic and vascular system to areas of the body where they are needed.