Manual lymphatic drainage is a very gentle massage technique used to stimulate the flow of lymphatic fluid (‘lymph’) – around your body. Using specific slow, light strokes, manual lymphatic drainage works on the connective tissues immediately below the skin (not the deeper muscles like remedial massage).
By promoting fluid circulation and decongesting the lymph nodes, manual lymphatic drainage helps boost the immune system and detoxify the body.
Made up of lymphatic vessels and nodes, your lymph system is your body’s first line of defence against disease and infection.
The lymph nodes contain a large proportion of your white blood cells, which fight disease and infection. As the lymph is filtered through the nodes, the immune cells identify any toxins, such as viruses and bacteria. Your body can then fight off infection and ‘remember’ those toxins the next time they appear.
The lymphatic system is also responsible for removing other toxins from your body. Lymphatic fluid picks up toxins such as food additives and preservatives and filters them out for removal from the body.
Having a healthy lymph system is vitally important to your wellbeing. Manual lymphatic drainage is a treatment designed specifically to help maintain a well flowing lymphatic system that protects your health and immunity.
The primary result from manual lymphatic drainage is an increase in the lymph flow, which can reduce swelling and oedema. A full body manual lymphatic drainage treatment can increase the flow of lymph through the heart from two litres per day to over 25 litres per day!
Depending on the condition you are seeking treatment for, other benefits generally include:
- Detoxification
- Pain reduction (by sedation of the sensory nerve endings)
- Relaxation
- Reduction in healing time post-surgery or post-injury. (lymphatic drainage massage is gentle enough to be used immediately after surgery or injury).
