What is Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD)?

Written By Caitlyn Mannherz

It was nearly a century ago that Manual Lymph Drainage, better known as MLD, was developed by the renowned Dr. Vodder. Refined and researched, the technique was discovered to hold benefits for health and beauty and has been the modality of choice in European Clinics of Lymphology and elite spas.

The Vodder Method of Manual Lymphatic Drainage Massage (MLD) is a scientific hands on treatment that uses gentle strokes can be compared to a light massage. The technique is directed at the delicate lymph vessels just below the skin. The goal of MLD is to increase lymph flow, whereas massage is focused on muscles. While both have therapeutic benefits which are equal in importance they are different in performance. Therefor, a client or patient can expect the pain free, relaxing benefits that Vodder-style MLD has to offer.

Benefits

Your lymphatic system is key to healing, regenerating tissues, and removing toxins from the body. When the body has experienced stress, such as fighting off illness, healing from an infection, or experiencing emotional stress, the lymphatic system can slow down. Manual lymphatic massage helps “re-start” the system of moving lymph through the body and can provide a variety of benefits, including:

  • More efficient and faster healing from illness, injury, or surgery

  • Bruise and Pain reduction

  • Reduces scar formation by boosting healing responses

  • Removes excess water and metabolic waste from the tissues in the body

  • Reduces swelling and fluid retention

  • Improves skin quality and provides a more vibrant appearance

  • Supports relaxation and relieves stress

This extremely beneficial massage detoxes and cleanses the body of toxins and cellular debris, builds up and enhances the immune system, and assists the body in rapid recover from lymphedema (swelling), cosmetic surgery, tummy tuck, liposuction, breast augmentation, Brazilian butt-lift, face-lift, mastectomy, breast explant detoxification, orthopedic surgeries, post cancer detox, post chemotherapy detox, injuries, chronic degenerative diseases, and autoimmune illness.

How Does MLD Work?

First, let’s look at the lymphatic system and what it does to better understand how the massage works. The lymphatic system is the system of tissues, vessels, and organs that work in conjunction to maintain fluid levels in our body, support immune function, and keep blood circulating. The system carries lymph, a clear fluid that contains proteins, waste, fat cells, and metabolized cells through the body which is filtered through the lymph nodes. Waste is removed from the body as clean lymph circulates back through. When the lymphatic system isn’t moving lymph through the body properly, excess fluid in the body builds up, causing edema and creating a puffy, uncomfortable look and feel.

Lymphatic drainage massage was developed to treat lymphedema, a condition of accumulated fluid within the body that often develops after removing lymph nodes. A trained massage therapist can manually massage the body in a way to push lymph through the body, breaking up areas of swelling and reducing excess fluid in the body. Naturally, the process is done with muscle movement, breathing, healthy diet and adequate hydration.

Why Is Lymphatic Massage Important After Cosmetic Surgery?


One of the side effects of cosmetic surgery is swelling. This is a normal inflammatory response and a part of the healing process as fluid rushes to the area to nourish it with white blood cells. Body procedures, particularly tummy tucks and liposuction, often cause additional swelling as excess fluid and fat cells will harden within a few weeks of surgery.
Lymphatic massage helps to move the fluid that’s built up and allows it to move back into the lymphatic passages where excess waste and fluid can be flushed from the body. This prevents fibrosis, which is the development of thick, fibrous scar tissue under the skin as well as reduces swelling and bruising. Many doctors highly recommend lymphatic drainage after surgery for both their patients’ comfort as well as to help them get the best possible results after their procedure.

Best Surgical Recovery Results…

Patients who are undergoing surgery have best recovery results when receiving 5-10 post op MLD massages, depending on swelling, starting 3-7 days after surgery.  

Generally full post-operative recovery takes 9-12 months. With MLD recovery takes 6-12 weeks. This is a SIGNIFICANT reduction in recovery time.

Conditions That Improve With MLD

Autoimmune

Lupus, Srjohns, Lyme Disease, Epstein Barr Virus, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Alopecia, Gastrointestinal Issues, Chrohn’s Disease, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Hashimotos, Graves Disease, Addison’s Disease, Allergies, Eczema, Psoriasis, Glaucoma, Chronic Fatigue, & Adrenal Fatigue.

Neurological & Neuromuscular

Strokes, Parkinsons, Multiple Sclerosis, Diabetic Neuropathy, Peripheral Neuropathy, Trigeminal Neuralgia, Bells Palsy, Alzheimers (the plaque on the brain is lymph fluid that has hardened and congealed)

MLD pulls fluid away from nerve endings so nerves can properly speak to the muscles and get better movement and less pain.

Acute & Chronic

ENT Conditions (Acute & Chronic), Ear aches, Migraines & Headaches, Sinusitis & Congestion, Burns ( most beneficial in acute stage of burns), Concussions, Inflammation from injury, Diabetes 1 & 2

Caitlyn Mannherz