Call Now: 0431317801
Book Online
Book Online
Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD)
What is your Lymphatic System?
Your Lymphatic System your body's waste removal system. Your cardiovascular system delivers oxygen and nutrient to your cells, your lymphatic system collects the cellular waste and any foreign pathogens (bacteria, virus, mould, toxins, chemicals and pollutants) targeted for removal by your immune system. They are closely interconnected and work together to keep you healthy. The structure of the lymphatics is like a honey comb webbing right throughout the body that collects blood plasma that has been deposited in our tissues to feed the cells . It cleans the fluid via the lymph nodes which act is filters adn it uses the proteins in the fluid either for tissue repair or in defence mechanisms by the immune system before returning it to your bloodstream when this cycle continues. Many of your lymphatic organs and tissue are also part of your immune system.
Unlike our blood which has a heart to pump it around the body, your lymph system relies on muscular movement (exercise & breathing), tissue pressure (osmosis), valves to stop back flow and the pulsation of nearby veins and arteries to return it to your neck where it re-enters your bloodstream. Movement is essential for a health lymphatic flow. Stagnant flow places unnecessary stress on our body.
Unlike our blood which has a heart to pump it around the body, your lymph system relies on muscular movement (exercise & breathing), tissue pressure (osmosis), valves to stop back flow and the pulsation of nearby veins and arteries to return it to your neck where it re-enters your bloodstream. Movement is essential for a health lymphatic flow. Stagnant flow places unnecessary stress on our body.
Why is MLD important?
MLD has the affect of turbo charging your lymphatic system, accelerating and facilitating it's flow and cleaning function. With a sedentary lifestyle, often our lymphatic system can need help, as the lymphatic flow slows down, especially if a large burden is placed upon it with poor lifestyle choices. With a slow or stagnant flow, it increase the amount of time waste and biological 'junk' is present in the body. Your overall health, diet, lifestyle and exercise determine the load and amount of stress you place on your body's cellular waste removal system. Removal of waste and cellular debris is very important for staying healthy & for healing.
Benefits of MLD
· Pain free - gentle technique
· Only light pressure is used - the superficial lymph system is just below the skin
· Very relaxing
· Encourages deep REM sleep
· Stimulates body’s flushing and cleaning systems
· Working superficial layers stimulates deeper tissue fluid exchange
· Works a lot on our autonomous nervous system –all those automatic functions such as breathing, blood pressure, temperature, digestion and elimination.
· No oil is used
· Only light pressure is used - the superficial lymph system is just below the skin
· Very relaxing
· Encourages deep REM sleep
· Stimulates body’s flushing and cleaning systems
· Working superficial layers stimulates deeper tissue fluid exchange
· Works a lot on our autonomous nervous system –all those automatic functions such as breathing, blood pressure, temperature, digestion and elimination.
· No oil is used
Effects of MLD
· MLD effects & supports all our other body systems. Ie. Nervous, muscular, immune, digestive and elimination.
· Reduces pain by sedating sensory nerve fibres
· Acts as a relaxant
· Reduces pain effect on skeletal muscles
· Eliminates metabolic waste and toxins
· Greater fluid exchange creates higher urinary output & bowel activity
· Reduces pain by sedating sensory nerve fibres
· Acts as a relaxant
· Reduces pain effect on skeletal muscles
· Eliminates metabolic waste and toxins
· Greater fluid exchange creates higher urinary output & bowel activity
MLD treats;
· All stress conditions
· Oedema during pregnancy, after Caesar section, post-acute mastitis
· Sporting injuries – used with first aid almost immediately after accident/injury
· Scars– after skin burns, removal of tattoos, post surgery
· After surgery – improves lymphatic flow and alleviates congestion in trauma zone
· Nerve disorders – M.S, down syndrome, stroke, migraine
· Dermatoid/Skin disorders – acne, scleroederma, psoriasis, eczema, shingles
· Breathing disorders-bronchitis, asthma, allergies , emphysema
· Constipation
· Supplementary help for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Ross River fever.
· Primary Lymphoedema– lymphatic insufficiency
· Secondary Lymphoedema – post-op, post chemo, after radiation
· Oedema during pregnancy, after Caesar section, post-acute mastitis
· Sporting injuries – used with first aid almost immediately after accident/injury
· Scars– after skin burns, removal of tattoos, post surgery
· After surgery – improves lymphatic flow and alleviates congestion in trauma zone
· Nerve disorders – M.S, down syndrome, stroke, migraine
· Dermatoid/Skin disorders – acne, scleroederma, psoriasis, eczema, shingles
· Breathing disorders-bronchitis, asthma, allergies , emphysema
· Constipation
· Supplementary help for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Ross River fever.
· Primary Lymphoedema– lymphatic insufficiency
· Secondary Lymphoedema – post-op, post chemo, after radiation
Contraindicated for;
Absolute contraindications are when MLD should not be used or there are conditions where it can be used, but require special consideration. Contraindications include acute conditions (sudden onset, short duration and rapid progression) as lymph system already busy fighting. Eg. Fever, acute bronchitis, acute venous diseases. Once past acute stage, MLD is an excellent therapy to aid the lymph system and recovery.