Manual Lymph Drainage

The lymphatic system is often overlooked, until we have a problem. Responsible for moving waste, filtering our system and transporting infection fighting immune cells, the lymphatic system is one of the most important systems in the human body.

Manual Lymph Drainage (MLD) massage is slow, methodical and highly effective. With correct techniques, a practitioner can stimulate the opening of the lymphatic system and increase lymph flow volume by as much as 20 times. Too much pressure can cause the initial lymphatic to collapse, therefore diminishing flow. 

MLD is an excellent modality for clients with edema, or anyone feeling tired or sluggish. It is also suitable for those recovering from a sports injury or a compromised immune system. A thorough assessment will help us determine if this type of massage is the best for you.

MLD is also wonderful to optimize breast health. These techniques have been shown to reduce breast tenderness and upper body pain, improve posture, increase energy, and for lactating mothers it may be useful to increase milk production and decrease symptoms of mastitis.

Breast health is very important for energy, posture and the removal of toxins. We have anywhere between 20 and 49 axillary lymph nodes per arm, which are responsible for draining 75% of breast lymph. During breast MLD, clients are appropriately draped and the therapist gently massages around the breast tissue and into the area of axillary lymph.