The lymphatic system is one of our body’s major systems, front line in our body’s ability to fight disease and infection, and remove toxins. The lymphatic fluid contains immune cells that circulate around the body to mop up toxins and transport them to the lymph nodes (glands). In the glands these toxins are broken down and lymph fluid is filtered so it can continue to circulate around the body and collect more toxins. Toxins may include viruses, bacteria, pollution, food additives, drugs and general metabolic waste, meaning a healthy lymphatic system is vital for your immunity.
Unlike the circulatory system in your body, where the heart pumps blood, your lymphatic system doesn’t have a pump and uses muscle contraction to move the lymphatic fluid, so MLD is very helpful for people with limited mobility. This is quite a slow-moving and often sluggish process, so lymphatic drainage is something that almost everyone can benefit from.
Our bodies contain almost twice as much lymphatic fluid as blood and during a 24 hour period, thousands of litres of blood are pumped through the heart, while only 2 litres of lymphatic fluid are moved through the body. In the 24 hours after a full body lymphatic drainage massage, 20 litres of lymphatic fluid will circulate through the heart.
What is Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD)?
MLD is a very specific massage technique- it involves clearing the lymph nodes located throughout the body and directing the lymphatic fluid towards these nodes, so the fluid can be filtered and refreshed. The fluid can then continue to circulate and effectively clean up more toxins.
The sequence needs to be performed in a very specific order for MLD to be effective. The pressure used is very light and quite opposite to a myotherapy treatment or normal massage, as 75% of the lymphatic fluid is located just under your skin. It is very different to any muscular massage you will experience.
What does MLD help with?
· Increasing the body’s ability to rejuvenate
· Increased immunity
· Increased rate of toxin removal (detox)
· Increased rate at which vital immune cells are transported to where they are needed, and increasing healing time, especially after injury, illness or surgery
· Fluid retention
· Lymphodema
· Sinusitis/hay fever
· Breast surgery & mastitis
· Migraines
· Pain relief & anti-inflammatory effects
· Digestive disorders & IBS
· Carpel tunnel syndrome
· Pre & post-surgery (increased healing and decreased scar tissue formation)
· Post sporting injury (the fluid that swells around injured joints is excess lymphatic fluid)
· Chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia
· Oedema during pregnancy
Is there anyone that MLD isn’t suited for?
MLD is not an appropriate treatment if you are currently experiencing any of the following:
· Malignant tumours
· At the beginning of a cold or flu (however it is very effective in aiding recovery once things are settling down)!
· Acute bronchitis or chronic bronchitis where infection is present
· Asthma due to heart problems
· Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
· Within 72 hours of a long plane flight (risk of DVT)
· Arteriosclerosis
· Undiagnosed abdominal pain
· Hyperthyroidism
MLD treatments are 90 minutes for a full body and can be booked online at https://pinnacle-naturopathy.cliniko.com/bookings or call 3264 3351 or SMS 0468 462 780.
A note about breast cancer:
· Lymphatic drainage is beneficial for women who have had several lymph nodes removed as a part of mastectomy surgery.
· If you have had all of your lymph nodes removed from under one arm, you may need to see a specialist who can re-train your lymphatic fluid to drain to other lymph nodes instead. It’s amazing what our bodies can learn to do!
· If you are currently in remission but are receiving chemotherapy, MLD can be very beneficial. However MLD is not an appropriate treatment with all types of chemotherapy, so it is vital that you speak to your doctor first.