Manual Lymph Drainage
Dr Vodder Method
To understand the lymphatic system… see the What is Lymph? page
MLD performed correctly on the top of the skin, has the greatest impact through all of the layers of your lymphatics. The light touch and stretch of the skin moves the attached anchoring filaments to open the initial lymph vessels and take up the maximum amount of lymph. This in turn creates a greater pressure on the vessel walls from expanding, with a reaction recoil of the cell to push the lymph into the next vessel, and down through the layers and so on…. Excessive downward pressure or weight on the skin would compress these delicate vessels, therefore decommissioning the pump action.
The Dr Vodder method dates back to the 1920-30’s (Austria & Germany) as the original manual lymph drainage technique, and beautifully perfected over the past (almost) 100 years. Hence why treatment in Germany and Austria is so much more advanced and well known.
It uses a very explicit 2-way stretch, that correlates closely with timing, pressure and direction, and is specific to each individual lymph pathway. Therefore, maximising the pump action, resulting in decongestion of swelling and inflammation in the tissues.
It should in no way resemble a muscular massage!! There should be no weight in the hands at all, only skin stretch!! There is however, reasons to adjust the technique for pressure when we are dealing with fibrosis, in particular for post surgery thickening and hardening, and in some cases for late stage lymphoedema.
This gentle touch is also a very relaxing and calming type of treatment. You’ll be surprised how effective it is for such a light touch.
What can manual lymph drainage massage (MLD) be used for
MLD can be used for so many things, it’s not just about swelling…
Firstly MLD should not be performed if the following conditions are present –
- Untreated malignant tumor
- Acute infections (new or just starting)
- Acute thrombosis (deep vein thrombosis)
- Acute phlebitis (superficial blood clots)
- Congenital heart failure
For all of the above, they are related to blood and lymph circulation and the impact an increase of circulation will have on these systems.
Therefore, each case is assessed based on not only lymphatic dysfunction but on a full medical history before treatment can begin.
From my clinical experience so far, I am finding MLD monumental in the treatment for so many conditions, especially those relating to inflammation.
Which makes perfect sense to me because the lymphatic system is the body’s natural disease fighting and cleaning out system.
Conditions I have treated, but not limited to:
- Fluid Retention
- Lymphoedema
- Lipoedema
- Chronic Venous Insufficiency / Phleboedema
- Cancer Related Oedema
- Pre surgery preparation
- Post Surgery recovery, scar and fibrosis
- Inflammatory & Autoimmune Diseases
- Gyneocology (endo, ademyosis, PCOS)
- Period Pain & irregularities
- IBS
- Constipation
- Unexplained abdominal pain
- Sinus congestion
- Migraines
- Vertigo
- Carpel Tunnel
- Post Sports Recovery
- Dementia
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Long Covid
- Mould Poisoning
- Restless Legs
- Chronic Fatigue
- Fibromyalgia
- Bruising
and I reckon there would be so much more…..
What to expect in your first appointment
What you can expect in your first appointment..
Your first visit will be an initial consult, full medical history, before photographs (if permitted & strictly confidential), measurements, and education on prevention and management, and to assess your needs for treatment in the clinic.
This can take up a large portion of the time available in a one hour appointment. Therefore, I recommend a 90 minute initial consult to allow time for some treatment as well.
Should your GP or referring oncologist / radiologist need to be updated, please provide details and permissions to share your treatment outcomes.
Treatment for your lymphatic conditions
Treatment for your lymphatic conditions
It is more important than ever to seek medical advice if you have developed any kind of abnormal swelling ………. there could be some serious health implications that needs to be addressed urgently.
However, once all your health checks have come back clear, it’s time to look at your lymphatics.
The goal of your treatment is observation, assessment and ultimately getting you the results tailored to your needs. This will require not only ensuring you attend your appointments, but also extra care and due diligence at home with what you learn to ensure the best possible outcomes.
Treatment for your condition may vary quite considerably. It depends on what stage your condition is in, what other co-morbidities or medications may be affecting your condition, and of course your budget.
Primarily we need to get to the source of the problem. Be it swelling and congestion, infection or wound management, scars impacting flow or injury to the network of vessels (minor or major).
Sal’s lymphatic treatment styles include:
- Dr Vodder manual (hands on) lymph drainage
- Decongestive therapy using bandages and/or pneumatic compression pump, compression and manual fibrosis and re-directional techniques
- Incremental measurements
- Wound Management for Chronic Oedema
- Low level laser therapy