WHAT
IS MANUAL LYMPHATIC DRAINAGE (MLD)?
Manual
Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) is the best-kept secret of the health and beauty scene.
It is a very gentle, subtle, repetitive form of tissue manipulation, based on pumping and
scooping movements, which encourage lymph to flow more freely around the body.
This renews, nourishes, strengthens and regenerates the cells, removes waste
products and relaxes the nervous system.
The History
Dr.
Emil Vodder in France developed manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) in the 1930s. He
noticed that people who are suffering from chronic catarrh and sinus infections
tend to have swollen lymph nodes (glands) and much against the medical practice
of the time, started to work upon these lymph nodes. He described this as MLD.
Since Vodder’s pioneering work, MLD has spread worldwide and has become a
popular therapy in many European hospitals and clinics.
The Lymphatic System
The
Lymphatic system is a vast network of tubes. It collects the tissue fluids,
removes and destroys the toxic substances and resists the spread of illness throughout the body.
The Lymph
The
lymph is colourless fluid similar to the blood. Its main functions are:
 | To break down harmful substances (waste products, viruses, bacteria, cancer cells) by pushing the lymph towards the lymphatic channels. |
| To transport nutrients, vitamins, hormones and enzymes throughout the body. |
|
To
strengthen the body’s immune system by producing white blood cells. |
|
To eliminate excess fluid from the tissues by gentle pumping movements. |
The Nodes (Glands)
The
lymph nodes are cleansing stations, situated along the course of lymphatic
pathways, which swell up when the body is ill. The nodes filter out and destroy
toxic material collected from the body via the lymph. During the course of any
infection, the nodes become enlarged, often painful and inflamed. The nodes are
located in the neck, the armpits, abdomen and the groin; they most commonly
swell up in the course of an illness.
The Benefits of MLD
|
Is both preventative and remedial by enhancing the immune system |
|
Alleviates many conditions: |
- It is the most effective component for the control of primary and secondary
Lymphoedema and assists in conditions arising from venous insufficiency ( see heading for
- Chronic
sinusitis, chest infection, nasal congestion, catarrh
- Arthritic swelling, pain and inflammation
|
Relieves fluid congestion: |
- Puffy eyes and
face
- Swollen knees
and ankles
- Maternity
swelling
- Post-operative swelling such as fractures, hip and knee replacement
|
Excellent for post plastic surgery (face, neck, abdomen, thighs etc), by speeding up healing, pain reduction, bruising and swelling |
|
Aids Cellulite reduction (see heading for Cellulite and MLD) |
|
Relieves the stress by calming down the Central Nervous System |
The MLD Therapy
The first visit will be an explanation of how lymphatic system works. The following areas will be addressed: medical history, current symptoms, diet, exercise and lifestyle. Based on this information the frequency and duration of the treatment sessions will be discussed. Most conditions need nutritional guidelines with specific diet plan to achieve the best results.
As a medically recognised registered
MLD therapist some UK private
insurance companies do cover certain medical conditions. The matter will be
discussed upon your first visit.