Manual Lymphatic Drainage
Treatment to enhance the flow of lymphatic fluid within the body.
Your lymphatic system helps eliminate your body's waste. A healthy active lymphatic system uses the natural movements of smooth muscle to do this. MLD is a very gentle manual treatment which improves the function of the lymphatic system throughout the body. Pumping and light skin drag techniques are used to slowly and gently clear major lymph nodes and move fluid in a specific pathway.
MLD effectively reduces traumatic and post-surgical edema and can provide symptomatic relief of migraine headaches, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, reflex sympathetic dystrophy, stress, fatigue, and other conditions involving edema, inflammation, injury, pain, and autoimmune disorders. MLD also induces general relaxation and detoxification.
Signs of when the body is full/congested: a limb may feel heavy, a hand or foot may feel stiff , a watch or sock may leave an imprint on the skin. Congested/full areas may feel or look swollen.
Following a treatment, a limb may feel lighter, looser, visibly smaller ( look less swollen), and, as fluid leaves the body, you may actually lose a few pounds of water weight.
If possible, it is best to hydrate well 24 hours before the session, shower but only put on a minimal amount of lotion & deodorant. (armpits, stomach and inguinal areas are all usually addressed during a full treatment)
Examine the Anatomy of the Lymphatic System. The Lymphatic System moves in one direction, slowly, towards the heart, through muscle contraction, breathe, and MLD. The Lymphatic System "lives" side by side the Circulatory System.
Take a Look at this Helpful Link to Understand More: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/21199-lymphatic-system