Lymphatic drainage
how is it done?
Manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) or massage is a relaxing and gentle treatment that is performed with light pressure, strokes and pumping techniques. It is a full body massage given with essential oil. The massage itself always starts with you sitting and then lying on your back. A lymphatic massage includes massage of face, neck, shoulders, back, décolleté, arms, hands, abdomen, legs and feet. At the end, you will have some time to rest and relax.
On the first visit, you will fill in a health declaration form that we will talk about, as well as your expectations and goals for the treatment. The case history can take up to 10 to 20 minutes. You can get advice on self-care, diet and lifestyle routines to improve your lymphatic flow. Then you will receive your lymphatic drainage that can take 60-70 minutes, so in total the first visit can take up to 1,5 hours. Depending on how chronic your situation it can take up to 3 follow-up visits before you might experience a bigger change in your body. The follow- up visits may take about 90-100 minutes. During the treatment you will be in your underwear and your body will be covered with towels and/ or a blanket, because the treatment can cause your to feel cold. That is a sign that the lymphatic flow is stimulated.
What Can I Expect From Manual Lymphatic Drainage?
Lymphatic massage is a deeply relaxing treatment that releases tension from body and mind. The treatment is therefore very beneficial to reduce stress and it promotes a good night’s sleep. It can be highly effective to improve symptoms of anxiety and depression. Given regularly, lymphatic drainage can prevent infections and common colds. The technique helps relieve congestion by loosening mucus in sinuses and lungs. It promotes a good and healthy digestion.
If the cause of having headaches or migraines comes from poor blood or/and lymphatic flow, lymphatic drainage can be very helpful to reduce the symptoms. MLD is beneficial for anyone with rheumatic conditions, body aches and other pain syndromes, such as fibromyalgia. It is an excellent treatment to reduce swelling or oedema in arms, hands, legs, and feet. It improves the blood flow to the extremities and helps against cold and numb hands and feet.
Lymphatic massage reduces postoperative swelling after breast surgery and burn scars. If you are not sure please always talk to your doctor. This massage treatment is very suitable during pregnancy (week 12 to 28) and for breastfeeding women. It is a favourable massage technique for people having type 2 diabetes. Although most people feel that they need a “muscle massage”, a soft lymphatic massage can provide much more relaxation in the muscle tissues than a medical massage and is highly recommended for tense, tired and sore muscles.
What happens in the body during MLD?
Nowadays, we live in a stressful world, where we often walk around in a tense body. As a consequence the lymph flow gets impaired. The muscles’ energy and nutrient deposits are very limited and therefore dependent on good blood circulation. It is the blood circulation that supplies the muscles with nutrients and oxygen. The blood is responsible for the transport of acidic metabolic products and toxins out of our system. An increased acidity irritates pain receptors and the pain makes you even more tense. This leads to a further impairment of circulation and a vicious circle begins.
For more chronic lymphatic conditions I recommend 2 to 3 treatments within 1 or 2 months. Unfortunately there are no short-cuts! Regular self-care routines, dietary and lifestyle adjustments may be necessary to get the best result. A more in-depth health consultation can be booked here.
However, treatments can be customised to make them more affordably. It is possible to get a satisfying result after only one treatment. As an Osteopath I work with the lymphatic system in a different way to support it. In an osteopathic treatment I do mobilise the upper body’s outer and inner structures and I work with the breathing system and lymphatic drainage points by using mild articulation techniques. Both treatment modalities complement each other very well.
What Effects or Side effects does lymphatic drainage has?
Directly after the massage treatment, you may feel more cold in general and during the massage you can experience ”cold showers”. Most people feel very relaxed and sleepy afterwards. The visit to the toilet can become more frequent and some experience a change in the smell and/or color of the urine.
Lymphatic drainage can be a physical and mental “cleanse” and you may get a headache and/or loose stool. Nothing to worry about as the symptoms will disappear again. In few people, the treatment can trigger sensitive or negative thoughts and feelings. Feel free to contact me after the massage if you have questions or concerns about the side effects.
Benefits of
lymphatic massage
- Strengthening of the immune system
- Improvement of sleep
- Reduction of physical and mental stress
- Stimulation of the body’s own production of cortisol, insulin, oxytocin and endorphins
- Increase of body awareness
- Removal of toxins and increase of Lymphatic circulation
- Pain relieve
- Alleviation of Anxiety
- Digestion improvement
- Boost of lymphatic flow
Is there any difference between
lymphatic massage and lymphatic drainage?
Lymphatic massage and lymphatic drainage are only different terms to describe the same massage treatment. The technique follows the natural direction of lymph flow and makes it easier for metabolic by-products and toxins to leave the body. It has been developed since it was presented at a health fair in Paris by Dr. Vodder in 1936, and it has become a successful treatment modality in conventional and alternative medicine. In order to help the lymph fluid to flow freely towards the major drainage points in the body, it is performed with soft touch, circular movements and pumping techniques and that includes the face as well. Be informed that different massage therapists perform it differently. Some use more oil, some less. Others massage the front and back body with the client lying, others will asked you to sit first and then lie down.
Are there any
Contraindications?
Lymphatic drainage should NOT be performed if you have:
- Cancer (malignant tumours) or during cytotoxic therapy
- Fever or acute symptoms of common cold (you should wait at least 2 weeks)
- Acute inflammation (swelling, heat & pain)
- Early and late stage of pregnancy
- Haemophilia (inherited bleeding disorder)
Prices
First visit
A first visit can take up to 70 to 80 minutes. You will get a treatment after taking your case history.
SEK 990
Follow up
Follow-up visits can only be booked after a first visit. A follow-up visit takes between 60 to 70 minutes.
SEK 990
Trigger point treatment
& Lymphatic drainage
The package includes a 30 min cupping massage and a 60 min Lymphatic massage. The people who need a muscle treatment as well.
SEK 3.960
Chronic treatment package
Buy 4, get 5 - save 25%
This package includes 5 treatments for the price of 4. All treatments should be taken within 5 months.
SEK 3.580