Let’s have a chat about Manual Lymphatic Drainage…

It sounds a bit dramatic, we’ll admit, but stick with us and we’ll explain what it is, what it does and how it can help keep you happy, healthy and living you best life!

Let’s start at the Lymphatic System

How familiar are you with the Lymphatic System? To be perfectly honest, it’s essentially your body’s sewage system, sounds kind of gross, right? But also, incredibly important.

Your lymphatic system is actually part of your immune system and complementary to the circulatory system which is a lesser-known fact. It’s an organ system in your vertebrates with a vast network of nodes, tissues and vessels all dedicated to carrying lymph fluid back towards the heart for re-circulation.

The Lymphatic System is responsible for maintaining fluid levels in the body tissue and removing fluid that leaks into the blood vessels, which is absolutely not where it’s supposed to be.

Through this process, it keeps your immune system in tip top shape and functioning normally, which we love!

So where does Manual Lymphatic Drainage come in?

Manual Lymphatic Drainage (or MLD) is a massage technique that uses gentle rhythmical touch to move excess lymph fluid along the lymph pathways.

These motions mimic the rhythm of the body’s lymphatic system to help keep everything healthy and functioning normally.

You’ll find that this kind of massage doesn’t feel like your regular massage. It is incredibly gentle and more of a brushing motion, but it can feel absolutely amazing if you have Lymphedema or some swelling across your back and shoulders.

At the end of the day a massage is a massage so MLD can also trigger your parasympathetic nervous system help elevate some of those stress hormones leaving you feeling relaxed and calm…

What are some other benefits you could see from MLD?

• Help strengthen the immune system
• Help reduce sinus congestion issues
• Decrease swelling AND speed up general wound healing
• Help you get a better night’s sleep
• Give you a short-term energy boost
• Assist with post-surgery healing
• Help prevent Lymphedema (Blockages in the lymphatic system)

Regardless of whether you experience conditions like Lymphedema or not, anyone can try Manual Lymphatic Drainage and experience its detoxification benefits. It is a subtle but powerful technique that not enough people know about.

So, if you’d like to learn more about Manual Lymphatic Drainage you can have a chat to one of our Myotherapists and maybe even book yourself in for a session!