Manual Lymphatic Drainage | MLD
Pic 1. Founders of MLD
Pic 1.2 Dr Vodder teaching MLD
What is MLD?
Manual Lymphatic Drainage, also known as MLD, is an advanced therapeutic method that has been proven to stimulate the lymphatic system, founded by Dr Emil and Mrs Estrid Vodder in the early 1930s(Pic 1). It's used to help manage or improve the functions of lit by hands-on manipulation. It's done in a rhythmic manner and directed towards the lymph nodes which can be found in the inter-inguinal(inner thigh area), axial(armpits) and around the neck and jaw are(these are the major groupings). The word "manual lymphatic drainage" refers to the therapists doing it manually(hands-on) to help with drainage of the affected area which has accumulated foreign substances that it cannot dispose of, thus needing a therapist to, manually do it to achieve an improved function of the system. Currently, there is nothing else that can compares to MLD as it's been the gold standard since 1930sPic 1.2 ) in treating and managing the lymphatic system since it was first founded. MLD can be used as a way to help detox the body, decrease any form of swelling caused by an injury to the soft tissues(voluntarily or involuntarily, eg tattoo or an accident) or a malfunction of the lymphatic system by hands-on manual manipulation. MLD is based on scientific, physiological principles that have proven to encourage lymph flow. When performed correctly with the correct direction, speed and pressure, the treatment can help enhance recovery and facilitate drainage of the affected area(s). The skin is directly torqued and stretched by the therapist to help with facilitate this drainage process.
Manual Lymphatic Drainage, also known as MLD, is an advanced therapeutic method that has been proven to stimulate the lymphatic system, founded by Dr Emil and Mrs Estrid Vodder in the early 1930s(Pic 1). It's used to help manage or improve the functions of lit by hands-on manipulation. It's done in a rhythmic manner and directed towards the lymph nodes which can be found in the inter-inguinal(inner thigh area), axial(armpits) and around the neck and jaw are(these are the major groupings). The word "manual lymphatic drainage" refers to the therapists doing it manually(hands-on) to help with drainage of the affected area which has accumulated foreign substances that it cannot dispose of, thus needing a therapist to, manually do it to achieve an improved function of the system. Currently, there is nothing else that can compares to MLD as it's been the gold standard since 1930sPic 1.2 ) in treating and managing the lymphatic system since it was first founded. MLD can be used as a way to help detox the body, decrease any form of swelling caused by an injury to the soft tissues(voluntarily or involuntarily, eg tattoo or an accident) or a malfunction of the lymphatic system by hands-on manual manipulation. MLD is based on scientific, physiological principles that have proven to encourage lymph flow. When performed correctly with the correct direction, speed and pressure, the treatment can help enhance recovery and facilitate drainage of the affected area(s). The skin is directly torqued and stretched by the therapist to help with facilitate this drainage process.
Lymphatic system
What is the Lymphatic System?
The lymphatic system acts as a filtration, so to speak. Anytime you have a foreign substance in your body, they're the ones at work making sure that it gets rid of whatever is not supposed to be in there to make us feel sick or dis-eased(e.g such as a cancerous cell). It contains infection-fighting white blood cells called lymphocytes. They are also closely related to how our body's immune system feels. Think of the lymphatic system as a drain with a main dump site, each time a drain gets clogged up, not able to flow properly, there will be more waste by-products that get accumulated, that accumulation will cause a list of dis-ease due to the stagnation of the drain. We have about 500 to 700 lymph nodes (the number of nodes varies from individual to individual), and about 100 lymph can be found near your armpits and groin(these are considered the major groupings). When the nodes swell up, it's due to a build up of:
The lymphatic system acts as a filtration, so to speak. Anytime you have a foreign substance in your body, they're the ones at work making sure that it gets rid of whatever is not supposed to be in there to make us feel sick or dis-eased(e.g such as a cancerous cell). It contains infection-fighting white blood cells called lymphocytes. They are also closely related to how our body's immune system feels. Think of the lymphatic system as a drain with a main dump site, each time a drain gets clogged up, not able to flow properly, there will be more waste by-products that get accumulated, that accumulation will cause a list of dis-ease due to the stagnation of the drain. We have about 500 to 700 lymph nodes (the number of nodes varies from individual to individual), and about 100 lymph can be found near your armpits and groin(these are considered the major groupings). When the nodes swell up, it's due to a build up of:
- Bacteria
- Lymph fluid
- Foreign organisms | substance(s)
What MLD is not
If you don't have any lymphatic conditions, and just looking for a general lymphatic drainage for the body to detox itself via a therapist, you will be surprised by how much pressure is used. As it is, most people think MLD is a massage, it is not a massage. MLD is a manipulation of the lymphatic system to allow or help facilitate drainage of any foreign substances that might be in your body and making you fall sick often.
If you don't have any lymphatic conditions, and just looking for a general lymphatic drainage for the body to detox itself via a therapist, you will be surprised by how much pressure is used. As it is, most people think MLD is a massage, it is not a massage. MLD is a manipulation of the lymphatic system to allow or help facilitate drainage of any foreign substances that might be in your body and making you fall sick often.
Lymphedema usually stops at the toes
What causes Lymphedema?
Some of the causes for lymphedema can be attributed by (both direct and indirect, primary or secondary) the list below, which is a non exhaustive list:
Some of the causes for lymphedema can be attributed by (both direct and indirect, primary or secondary) the list below, which is a non exhaustive list:
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Altitude change
- Cancer
- Surgery
- Radiation for treatment of cancer cells
- Removal of lymph nodes
- Obesity
- Tattoo
- Accident
A toddler with lymphedema
Who can get/ will develop Lymphedema?
There isn't a way to predict what groups and age will get it, however, it can happen to both kids and adults. Best way to start taking notice is to observe if any swelling develops and how long it takes to go reside. If swelling persists, always seek a physician's advise as it may be something not of a lymphedema condition only.
There isn't a way to predict what groups and age will get it, however, it can happen to both kids and adults. Best way to start taking notice is to observe if any swelling develops and how long it takes to go reside. If swelling persists, always seek a physician's advise as it may be something not of a lymphedema condition only.
Which part of my body can lymphedema occur?
- Lower limbs(one or both sides)
- Upper limbs(one or both sides)
- Genitals (female & male)
What can i do to help the lymphatic system healthy and functioning?
Movements & exercise helps the lymphatic system to encourage flow by creating a pumping action. There are some specific movements that directly encourages direct stimulation such as:
Movements & exercise helps the lymphatic system to encourage flow by creating a pumping action. There are some specific movements that directly encourages direct stimulation such as:
- Walking
- Running
- Jumping
- Inversion
- Squats
- Pulling movements
- Pushing movements
- Deep diaphragmatic breathing
Complete De-Congestive Therapy (CDT)
Is there a cure for Lymphedema?
Unfortunately as of this writing, there is no cure for those affected by lymphedema, only management of the condition via movement/ exercise, compression and diet. MLD still stands as gold standard to treatment and managing lymphedema condition, and yes it is a lifelong conditions, so make sure you have a therapist to work with you on managing it.
Unfortunately as of this writing, there is no cure for those affected by lymphedema, only management of the condition via movement/ exercise, compression and diet. MLD still stands as gold standard to treatment and managing lymphedema condition, and yes it is a lifelong conditions, so make sure you have a therapist to work with you on managing it.
