Lymphatic Drainage

Heard about lymphatic drainage, but don’t really know what it is? If so, you have come to the right place.

What is the lymphatic system?

The lymphatic system is your body’s cleaning and defence crew. It’s a network of tiny tubes (called lymph vessels), nodes (like little filters), and organs (including the spleen and tonsils) that help keep you healthy. It moves a clear fluid called lymph, which carries waste, toxins, and extra fluid away from your tissues and back into your bloodstream (and eventually passed out of the body). The lymphatic system also helps fight infections by carrying white blood cells to attack germs. So basically, it keeps your body’s fluids in balance and helps you stay healthy by supporting your immune system.

What can cause the lymphatic system to be sluggish?

There are many things that can impact the effectiveness of our lymphatic system to do it’s job. They include:

• Surgery
• Injury
• Infection
• Chronic inflammation
• Certain medical conditions
• Obesity
• Daily stress
• Fatigue
• Trapped emotions or trauma
• Lack of hydration
• Consuming too many processed foods
• Exposure to environmental toxins, and
• Lack of movement.

What is Lymphatic Drainage?

Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) is a gentle, soothing massage technique designed to stimulate a sluggish lymphatic system. On its own, the lymphatic system can move 1.5-2 litres of fluid around our body once per day. However, after an MLD treatment, the body can move 15-30 litres a day, speeding up the removal of toxins as well as also speeding up healing. Additionally, it has been found that after just one MLD treatment, our bodies produce more than 20% extra immune system cells, directly improving the strength of our immune system.

How does Lymphatic Drainage differ from a Remedial Massage?

As much of the lymphatic system that we are targeting lies just under the skin, MLD uses very little pressure and adopts a slow rhythmic manner, in a specific order to stimulate the flow of lymph. The massage can therefore can be extremely relaxing and rejuvenating. There are no painful trigger points targeted in this type of treatment!

While all forms of massage have a beneficial affect on the lymphatic system, a MLD treatment is more effectual not only due to the type of pressure used, but also because it follows a specific sequence and direction that promotes the effective drainage of the lymph.

Think of your lymphatic system like the plumbing in your house. The lymph vessels are like narrow pipes running all through your body, carrying “waste water” (aka lymph fluid) away from your tissues and toward the “drains” — your lymph nodes. Now imagine there’s a blockage in the pipes. If you just try to push more fluid into already full or clogged areas, it backs up and causes swelling — just like a blocked sink. That’s why, in MLD, we always start by clearing the central drains first — near the collarbones — before moving to the outer areas like the arms, legs, or face. We also make sure we are not pushing fluid the wrong way down a one way pipe!

By working in the correct sequence and direction, we gently open up the system so fluid can move freely again — reducing puffiness, easing tension, and giving your body the feeling that it has had a spring clean.

What are the benefits of having a Lymphatic Drainage treatment?

If you’re feeling puffy, sluggish, or in need of a wellness boost, MLD can help you feel lighter, more energised, and refreshed from the inside out.

Benefits of MLD include:

• Reduction in swelling and water retention
• Assisting post-surgical recovery time
• Boosting immune function and detoxification
• Improving skin clarity and tone
• Relieving fatigue and promoting deep relaxation
• Reducing sinus congestion and brain fog
• Reducing musculoskeletal pain
• Helping to manage lymphoedema and chronic inflammation, and
• Boosting your energy levels.

Whether you’re recovering, resetting, or just looking to feel your best, MLD is a beautiful way to support your body and mind naturally.

If you think you may benefit from an MLD treatment, you can book in using my online booking link below, or feel free to discuss this treatment option with me at your next visit.