Lymphatic Drainage
Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) – Vodder Technique
Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) is a unique, specialized treatment technique that promotes lymph to drain out of a limb into an area that drains normally. Manual Lymphatic Drainage uses very light pressure. The gentle, “light touch” is a rhythmical movement called “Vodder technique” that is the most recognized therapy used worldwide and practiced by therapists certified in Vodder technique. Too much pressure may cause lymphangiospasm and hyperemia.
The lymph system is part of your body’s immune system and helps fight infection. Your cells create waste and the lymph is responsible for carrying that waste to be excreted from the body. There is no pump for the lymph system like there is for the blood, so it must be manually stimulated through massage, deep breathing or movement.
Manual Lymphatic Drainage encourages the movement of lymph fluids around the body.
Some lymphatic drainage effects in the body:
- The lymphatic system removes metabolic waste from the circulatory system
- Increase reabsorption of nutrients and promotes drainage of fluids accumulated in the body.
- Decrease fibrotic tissue (scar tissue)
- Increases blood flow in deep and superficial veins
- Immune system stimulation
- It has a soothing relaxing effect
- It has an analgesic (pain relief) effect
- Clears away infection and keeps your body fluids in balance
- Relieves fluid congestion: swollen ankles, tired puffy eyes and swollen legs due to pregnancy
- Is an effective component of managing lymphoedema (which may occur after cancer treatment) and assists in conditions arising from venous insufficiency
- Minimizes or reduces stretch marks
- Can help to speed healing after cosmetic surgery
MLD may help with conditions such as:
- Cellulite
- Edema
- Postoperative edema or traumas
- Chronic fatigue syndrome
- Migraines
- Fibromyalgia
- Sinus congestion
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Scleroderma
- Chronic venous insufficiency
- Insomnia
- Stress
- Digestive problems
- Arthritis
- Palliative care: Provision of comfort and pain relief when other therapies are no longer appropriate.
Absolute Contraindication:
- Acute deep vein thrombosis
- Cardiac edema
- Chronic heart failure
- Acute inflammation/infections caused by pathogenic germs (bacteria, fungi, viruses)
- Acute renal failure
- Fever caused by infections
- Acute bronchitis