Manual Lymph Drainage (MLD) is a unique, gentle, non-invasive hands on technique used to encourage the extra lymph fluid (Lymphoedema) to move away from swollen areas. It also has a very powerful relaxing and calming effect on the nervous system. The gentle, rhythmic, pumping, massage movements follow the direction of lymph flow and produce rapid results of decreased swelling.
How is MLD preformed?
The RMT will first massage and clear the area they want the fluid to drain towards. You may ask yourself why are they massaging my chest and neck if I have lymphoedema in my arm? But it means that the fluid has somewhere to drain to when the RMT massage your swollen arm.
Usually preformed laying down unless you have lymphedema in your head and neck, you sit up.
When you have MLD you feel a very gentle pressure. It is not a deep massage. If it is too deep it won’t work because it flattens the small lymph vessels so that the fluid can’t drain. The movements are slow and rhythmic so the lymph vessels open up.
Depending on your condition you may have MLD treatments daily, or 3 times a week, for about 3 weeks. Your RMT will also take into account the amount of swelling you have.