Manual lymphatic drainage

Manual lymphatic drainage literally means: “Manual = with the hands” and “Drainage = draining/removing” of excess fluid. Through manual lymphatic drainage, the damaged or inactive lymphatic vessels in your body can be reactivated, allowing their function to be restored.

What is manual lymphatic drainage?

Manual lymphatic drainage is a specialized massage technique in which specific hand movements activate and stimulate the mobility of the lymphatic system. By means of soft, rhythmic pumping movements in the edema area, the drainage of lymph fluid via the lymphatic vessels increases.

 Does Manual Lymph Drainage Hurt?

Manual lymphatic drainage is usually performed while you are lying on a massage table. It is a very light technique that is completely painless The practitioner will begin by massaging the lymph nodes in the neck and will then massage the lymph nodes and lymphatic vessels in areas of the body where fluid has accumulated.

How does lymphatic drainage work?

This massage technique is aimed at stimulating the drainage of lymph fluid (oedema) and promoting the function of unaffected lymphatic vessels (glands).

How often manual lymphatic drainage?

That depends on the problem you want to solve. You will always have an effect with 1 single treatment, but for example after a surgical procedure you will have to treat more often to guide the process and accelerate wound healing.

Contraindications

• When treatment is absolutely not permitted:
• Serious illnesses (cancer, tuberculosis)
• Fever
• Acute inflammations

With the above contraindications there is a risk that pathogens can be introduced into the bloodstream through Manual Lymphatic Drainage.

• Acute thrombosis
• Heart disease

When is treatment sometimes or only locally allowed?

• Low blood pressure
• Overactive thyroid
• Heart disease/heart complaints
• After thrombosis
• Menstruation
• Asthma