What is
Lymphatic Massage?
Manual Lymphatic Drainage (Lymphatic Massage) is the traditional method of moving lymph in order to drain swollen areas of the body and return the excess fluid to the circulatory system so it may be excreted from the body.
Lymphatic work can help unclog lymph nodes, give you an amazing detox in one hour, and help you recover faster from surgery.
Manual Lymphatic Drainage is the “gold standard” in lymphatic drainage for Post-Operative Recovery, Lymphedema, and Lipedema, and is a great way to detox your system.
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Video of Manual Lymphatic Drainage
Ever wondered what Lymphatic Massage looks like? Watch the video below for a demonstration.
The video above gives a brief demonstration of
Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) for the upper body.
Is MLD the Same as “Lymphatic Massage”?
Many massage therapists, and especially large chain massage places, advertise “Lymphatic Massage.”
It is even used here on the Pain & Swelling Solutions website because more people tend to search for the term “Lymphatic Massage” better than they do “Manual Lymphatic Drainage.” It simply markets better – more people find it on google.
Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) is often referred to as “Lymphatic Massage” or “Lymph Massage” in everyday language. On the whole there is little harm in using this terminology to refer to MLD when explaining to a friend what you are having done.
However, there is a very big difference when you go to choose a practitioner. The training someone has who is offering “Lymphatic Massage” can vary wildly.
So How Do You Know
If You are Getting
Real Lymphatic Drainage?
In short, you need to know the qualifications of your practitioner.
A massage therapist who took the basic required classes to become a massage therapist may have read a paragraph in a book that vaguely explained the notion of lymphatic work.
They may have even had a short demo by an instructor of how to do a lighter version of Swedish massage and they may have been told that was “lymphatic massage.” (It’s not. See “What Technically is the Difference Between Manual Lymph Drainage and Lymphatic Massage?” below.)
A Certified Lymphedema Therapist (CLT), on the other hand, has been through a minimum of 135 hours of training on Manual Lymphatic Drainage, the anatomy and physiology of the lymphatic system, medical complications and adaptations regarding lymphatic drainage, compression bandaging techniques, and compression garments.
Most Certified Lymphedema Therapists (CLT’s) are Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, or physicians. There are only a handful of massage therapists who hold this credential, but they have had the same training and have passed the same rigorous exam.
So, as you are looking around to see where you can get a “lymphatic massage”/Manual Lymphatic Drainage, don’t just look at the advertising. Look at the person’s credentials. You may view my credentials here.
This is especially important for people who are getting therapy for post-surgical swelling, Lymphedema (chronic, unresolving swelling), Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI), Lipedema (a genetic disorder of the fat cells), are recovering from breast cancer surgery, or other medical condition.
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What Technically is the Difference
Between Manual Lymph Drainage
and Lymphatic Massage?
Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) is a technique that is very specific in direction, stroke, and pressure in order to effectively move fluid out of a swollen area.
Lymphatic Massage implies that the therapist glides over the skin with oil. True Manual Lymphatic Drainage actually stretches skin gently and does not use any type of lubricant.
A “light massage” is NOT the same as Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD).
How Does MLD Work?
Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) is a very specific manual technique that is used to open lymphatic vessels in swollen tissues. Fluid then flows into the vessels and is routed along very specific pathways to return lymph to the circulatory system.
The process works by first opening the ducts where lymph empties into the circulatory system at the superior vena cava (a big vein) next to the heart. This is the equivalent of unclogging a pipe where the water backed up in the sink is then sucked down the drain.
For more information on How the Lymphatic System Works, check out this animated video I made to explain it.
What is Neuro Lymphatic Therapy?
A newer type of lymphatic therapy that has been developed in recent years is called Neuro Lymphatic Therapy.
The brain contains its own special type of lymphatic vessels and has a slightly different name: the glymphatic system.
When it is functioning well, the brain purges the cerebrospinal fluid each night carrying away plaques and tangles that can lead to Alzheimer’s. As we age, the vessels in the brain tend to degrade so that fluid doesn’t move as easily. Likewise, when we are sleep deprived, our brains do not undergo this critical dumping of fluid which drains into the main lymphatic system.
Getting Lymphatic Massage (Manual Lymphatic Drainage) helps to speed up this process. The most effective technique for this is Electrolymphatic Therapy (ELT). Most adults can undergo this specialized therapy for the neuro lymphatic system (or glymphatic system). Pregnancy, implanted electrical (not metal) devices, and history of seizures are contraindicated for ELT.
Getting your lymph moving again can help
you recover from surgery quicker, detox,
and improve your immune function.
