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Manual Lymphatic Drainage Massage
What is it?
Manual lymphatic drainage (afterwards called MLD) massage is a gentle therapy that works on the lymphatic system in the body.
How your Lymphatic System Works.
The lymphatic system is the waste disposal system of the body. As blood flows through your body it picks up nutrients and deposits any toxins into the lymph fluid in the body's tissues. deposits any toxins into the lymph fluid in the body’s tissues. The lymphatic system uses the lymph nodes to clean up the lymph fluid, taking the toxins out. Once the lymph fluid is cleaned, it is eventually passed back into the blood system. The toxins (viruses, bacteria, cancer cells, dead cells, and other waste products) that have been removed are passed through the body and then they exit through our waste products (urine).
How Manual Lymphatic Massage can improve the Lymphatic system.
Lymph nodes have white blood cells in them which helps to fight bacteria and disease. The lymph nodes are gateway filaments where the lymph fluid is taken out of the body’s tissues. Lymph fluid is thick and slow moving, and can get stuck in these tissues leading to swellings of arms or legs, etc. This can sometimes lead to infections if not removed quickly enough. The purpose of the MLD is to gently stretch the lymph nodes so the gateway opens and allows the lymph fluid to be sucked quickly through. A full MLD massage can significantly speed up the lymphatic system.
There are around 700 lymph nodes in the body. 70% of the lymph system is just under the surface of the skin. The other 30% are deep inside the body. The reason this is such a gentle massage is that in order to stretch and open the lymph nodes only very light pressure is needed. If pressure is too heavy, it squashes the lymph nodes and the gateway will not open. The majority of lymph nodes are around the neck, in the armpits, and in the inguinal area (in the groin area).
The problems it can be used to help.
MLD massage stimulates the parasympathetic system which is responsible for producing relaxation and calmness. This stimulation also relaxes the body and lowers the heartbeat. In this way it boosts the immune system and the cleaning/drainage of waste products helps the immune system fight infection. Also, MLD can be used for relaxation, de-stressing the body and mind, post-injury and post-surgery where there is swelling. Further details are as follows:
· A shorter massage on the face alone can be used by anyone who has a puffy face, headaches, and sinus problems, bags under the eyes or just to clear a woolly head. It can also be used to clear blotchy skin or spots.
· Anyone suffering with a swollen limb, such as one or both legs retaining fluid, etc., can have just these limbs massaged to help the fluid drain, thereby reducing pain and increasing mobility.
· Helping post-operative healing with MLD: a MLD massage can help post-operative surgery whether it is cosmetic or orthopaedic surgery. Studies have shown that it help healing and can almost halve the healing time. Surgeons can often recommend treatment every couple of days starting immediately after the operation. During the healing process MLD can also help scars to be more seamless, by preventing lymph fluid from building up below incisions or sitting in interstitial space.
· Helping with fatigue/exhaustion/and insomnia with MLD: Anyone feeling tired all the while, having trouble sleeping properly, or exhausted and stressed from work or home life problems can benefit from a package of MLD treatment. As this massage has a cumulative effect I suggest a package of 8 treatments (having 2 treatments week 1 and 2, followed by a weekly treatment for 4 weeks).
· Helping provide relaxation and lower anxiety levels of stressed clients using MLD: MLD massage is incredibly relaxing. It also reduces anxiety levels and stress levels by bringing down the heart rate, bringing the adrenals down; speeding up the lymphatic system, improving sleep and boosting the immune system. As this massage has a cumulative effect I suggest a package of 8 treatments (having 2 treatments week 1 and 2, followed by a weekly treatment for 4 weeks).
· Helping treat chronic inflammation with MLD: people with rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome or other types of chronic pain, can all benefit from MLD massage. The massage can reduce swellings, which in turn reduces pain. As pressure of lymph fluid decreases around nerves, pain and discomfort is relieved, and therefore, less pain medication is required. By relaxing the client, reducing stress levels and reducing pain levels has a big benefit for people in this group. Also, boosting the immune system helps the client moving forward as well. A package of 8 treatments is the most beneficial for people in this group.
When can MLD be used
MLD massage can be used at any time, even after surgery. It can run along-side other treatments and does not affect medication. While it is recommended that a series of MLD massage will give
the maximum effect, individual sessions can be booked if preferred, and can still be beneficial.
Potential benefits after treatment?
After treatment clients can expect some of the following:
· A more efficient lymphatic system.
· A relaxed body (Generally limbs can feel lighter and there may be a reduction in
the appearance of cellulite).
· Reduction of swellings· Reduction of pain
· Lower anxiety levels
· Energy levels boosted
· Improved skin tone and clearer skin
· Eyes can look brighter
· Immune system boosted.
Price List
Full body massage (1.5 hrs) @ £65.00 / appointment
Package of 8 treatments (buy 7 and have 1 free) @ £455.00 l/sum
Face and neck MLD (1 hr) @ £40.00 per appointment
MLD massage on 1 or 2 limbs only (1 hr) @ £40.00 per appointment
Site Content
Therapies offered
Bowen therapy
Reiki Therapy
Manual Lymphatic Drainage Massage
Scar work
Client testimonials
Helen Clymer1 review from google
• I have been suffering awful pain since a fall and Physiotherapy wasn’t helping in the way I had hoped it would. I just felt locked and stuck.
Upon my first visit to Barbara I explained my situation and was informed that the treatment she offered in her opinion would help and I should feel some relief from the pain and symptoms. I took her advice and had an initial set of treatments, I could not believe the benefits that I experienced not only with the pain but with my bodily movement and ease of a flowing walk. I did not realise I was as bad as I was. Thank you Barbara you have been such a game changer with your treatments. I look forward to my next visit and further improvements. You are so friendly and totally honest with what you can and cannot help with and I truly appreciate that too. Thank you!
Price List
Bowen Therapy £40.00 appointment time 1 hr approx.
Reiki Therapy £40.00 appointment time 50 mins approx.
Scar tissue £40.00 appointment time 1 hr approx.
Manual Lymphatic Drainage Massage Menu
Fully body Massage £65.00 appointment time 90 mins approx.
package 8 appointments for cost of 7 = £455.00 l/sum
Face and neck massage £40.00 appointment time 1 hr approx.
one or two limbs i.e. arm or leg £40.00
appointment time 1 hr approx.