Manual Lymphatic Drainage Massage for Wellness

What is lymphatic massage?

Lymphatic massage is a gentle, light pressure massage that works with the lymphatic system rather than muscles. The lymphatic system assists with removing cellular wastes from the body. When the lymphatic system isn't functioning at its peak, one may experience swelling, inflammation, impaired immune function, tightness and pain. Lymphatic massage, specifically Manual Lymphatic Drainage massage developed by Dr. Vodder is the most studied and documented type of massage to see benefits.

What issues can lymphatic massage help with?

Auto-Immune Conditions

I've worked with a variety of condition, please contact me if you have questions, as all clients have different symptoms and concerns. Some types of conditions I've worked with: scleroderma (1), fibromyalgia (2), multiple sclerosis, Rheumatoid arthritis (3), Lupus, Hashimoto’s, Long COVID, Crohn's, IBS, IBD, and Chronic Fatigue.

MLD involves gentle, rhythmic pressure that improves lymphatic flow, which may help reduce tissue inflammation in autoimmune conditions (4). It is usually comfortable to receive, even during a flare-up. We recommend 3 sessions within a month to gage the benefits for your body. MLD will not cure your condition but can be a powerful tool to lessen symptoms and improve quality of life.

Swollen Lymph Nodes

Lymph nodes can be sluggish or stay swollen for extended periods of time, or flare up here and there. If you've seen your doctor and they've ruled out serious concerns, MLD can help encourage drainage of the nodes. This can give you relief from the tightness or discomfort that may be present. Amber, our massage therapist, has this issue and its how she first learned about MLD. We recommend 2-3 sessions to begin, most clients notice some relief in the first session. Repeat sessions are usually necessary with stubborn nodes. MLD is not a cure, it's more of a long term maintenance. Clients come in when a flare-up, such as, after illness or long flights.

Pregnancy and Post Partum Recovery

During pregnancy, we require a doctor's approval before MLD sessions. Email me for any assistance.

Perineal tears or trauma have been shown to benefit from MLD (5). For this situation, the genital area would NOT be directly massaged, only the nearby lymph nodes. Swollen legs and feet are a common complaint during and after pregnacy. Studies have shown MLD to be a helpful and safe (6).

Scars from a C-section can benefit from MLD and other post-surgery techniques that I use, such as cupping and scar tissue massage. (7)

MLD is a gentle and deeply relaxing technique. It can produce a sense of calm that can be nourishing to those pregnant, postpartum, or who have experienced loss.

Chronic Low-Level Inflammation

Short term inflammation is how our body protects itself. The lymphatic system sends out cells that encourage our immune response. However, our modern life throws lots of inflammatory things our way. Sometimes our bodies have trouble keeping up with all of it. I often see clients who deal with chronic low levels of systemic (whole body) inflammation from habits, diet, alcohol/drug use, smoking, lack of movement, weight gain, stress, other illnesses, exposure to pollution/toxins and more. Symptoms can include bloating, digestive issues, anxiety, headaches, fatigue/insomnia, unease, aches and pain, frequent infections, puffiness, stiffness, and more (8). I suggest clients start with 2 MLD sessions a month and assess how the sessions have helped them afterward.

Sinus Issues & Allergies

Living in Central Texas, you most likely have some sinus issues. MLD may be very helpful for helping drain sinuses and relieve pressure that may be causing headaches and brain fog. I recommend 2-4 sessions the first month, and then sessions as needed.

MLD will not cure sinus issues, but can be a natural way to manage symptoms and get relief.

Detox & Weight Management

Lymphatic massage, often mentioned as Brazilian Lymphatic Massage, is often shown on social media to be body contouring service. These photos are usually taken in a way to over-deliver results and any actually 'toning' is very temporary, lasting 1-2 days. Brazilian Lymphatic Massage is a much more vigorous massage than we offer and has no clinical evidence of aiding lymphatic flow.

For clients starting or working on a weight loss, wellness, and/or lifestyle change, lymphatic massage can be a helpful ally. MLD can help with lingering inflammation and swelling that may be preventing your body from adjusting to healthy choices with diet and exercise. For clients doing a detox, I use Arvigo abdominal massage techniques for digestive organs and constipation that are very effective.

Swollen Legs & Feet

Standing for long periods of time, health conditions, weight gain, diet, lack of movement, pregnancy, travel, and more can cause uncomfortable swelling in the legs and feet. MLD may help with stimulating lymph nodes and increasing flow of fluid in the lower extremities.

I recommend starting with 1-2 sessions within a 3 week period, along with increase in movement. I'll also share some yoga poses that will help aid in lymph flow to the legs and feet.

Stress & Anxiety

MLD is a very relaxing, rhythmic and nurturing type of massage. Clients often fall asleep, or stay in that 'in-between space' of asleep and awake.

Studies have shown that MLD decreases cortisol, increases alpha waves, is consistently seen as relaxing and positive for clients (9,10).

Bloating & Digestive Issues

Conditions like IBS, Crohn's Disease, Constipation, or general inflammation of the gut, can see benefit from MLD and Arvigo abdominal techniques. We suggest clients receive 2 session in one month and assess how they felt following the massages. We can teach self-massage for clients looking to take a more hands-on approach.

Exercise Recovery

Manual Lymphatic Drainage's big benefit is moving stagnant lymphatic fluid that is causing inflammation. After a big event, such as a marathon, athletes have often pushed themselves to a point where the body may be injured or perceiving itself to be injured. This may look like soreness, aches, difficulty moving, redness, fatigue, and more. MLD may help encourage the inflammatory response to circulate and keep cellular waste moving so fresh cells can get to work. We recommend a MLD session 3 days before a big event (to help prevent and have you in peak form) AND within 3 days after. But anytime will be helpful, we just see the best results with that timing.