Lymphatic Drainage, Poole

Vodder Technique – Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD)

Vodder technique MLD is a gentle, flowing and rhythmic technique like no other bodywork/massage you will have had before. This treatment is not to be underestimated in its power, which can be applied to a wide range of physical conditions.

Manual Lymphatic drainage is used to primarily promote the optimal functioning of the lymphatic vessels that lead to the circulatory system. Manual Lymphatic Drainage techniques facilitate the removal of metabolic wastes, excess water, toxins, bacteria, large protein molecules and foreign substances from tissue via the initial lymph vessels and the venous capillaries. In addition, it relaxes the sympathetic nervous system, reduces pain and enhances the activity of the immune system.

MLD is an effective treatment for a variety of issues including oedema, skin disorders, headaches, sinus congestion, sprains, aches, stress and digestive disorders. It is highly recommended if you have had any form of surgery, cosmetic treatments especially, such as liposuction. MLD helps to reduce the risk of developing fibrosis (and something called seroma collection, this is where pockets of fluid called serum; pool in the dead spaces within tissues that were previously attached), thereby ensuring optimal results whilst supporting your body’s healing process.

Today’s modern society and a diet of fast and highly processed foods can also lead to stress on the lymphatic system with excess wastes and toxins. Add in lack of hydration, which most of us are guilty of, results in us living with a sluggish lymphatic system. This can cause more anaerobic metabolism to occur, with more waste products and less energy. The self-perpetuating cycle begins… and for these reasons anyone can benefit from lymph drainage to improve energy levels, increase cellular oxygenation, nourishment and build immunity.

Here are some of the conditions that MLD can help with:-

• Sinus problems and congestion
• Tinnitus
• Migraines
• Fibromyalgia
• Chronic Fatigue
• Digestive Problems
• Stress, Anxiety and Tension
• Pre & Post Surgery
• Pre & Post Cosmetic Surgery
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Edema

How MLD Improves your Lymphatic Drainage System

Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) increases the lymph flow dramatically in the first 6 hours post treatment, enabling your system to work harder at filtering out waste, dead cells, excess proteins and toxins as well as increasing the production of lymphocytes (White blood cells), heightening your body’s ability to fight infections.

Many of you may not realise that the lymphatic system plays a complex and crucial role within your immune system. The lymphatic system is made up of capillaries, vessels, lymph nodes, ducts, lymphoid organs, plus tissues such as Peyer’s Patch’s, tonsils, adenoids, spleen, bone marrow, appendix, and thymus gland. It works alongside the circulatory system to collect and drain excess bodily fluids from the tissues.

Your lymphatic system has many functions such as protecting your body from infection, maintaining the body’s fluid levels, absorbing fats and fat-soluble nutrients within the digestive system as well as removing cellular waste. MLD is effective in stimulating and clearing these toxins and cellular debris within the lymphatic system.

Lymphatic circulation does not have a pump like the heart to move the lymph (the interstitial fluid) around the body. It relies on pressure from such things as the arterial pressure of your blood pumping, negative pressure in the thorax (diaphragmic breathing), valves and muscular movement. This is why Manual Lymphatic Drainage is so important to your health on many levels to supporting an enhancing the body’s natural functions to aid in – detoxing, pain management, pre and post-surgery and digestion as well as supporting your stress and anxiety levels due to its calming nature on the nervous system.

Here are some of the general benefits from MLD:-

• Improves blood circulation
• Reduces inflammation
• Regulates the bodys water balance
• Protects against viruses and bacteria
• Lowers stress and blood pressure
• Reduces lymphatic problems
• Reduces muscle pain
• Helps with general healing and muscle fatigue

Pre & Post Surgery Care - What to Expect

Ideally, we would prefer to do a full consultation prior to your surgery. This will enable you to plan, having full knowledge and understanding of the treatment and ask any questions or discuss any concerns; however, a full consultation can still be done post-surgery. During the consultation we will work together creating the right treatment plan for you. We recommend starting MLD with 1 to 2 treatments within the 2 to 4 days prior to your surgery. This helps ensure your lymphatic system and tissues are at optimal health.

MLD movements are extremely relaxing and ideally performed as soon as you can post-surgery (as early as 24hrs) to assist and support your body's lymphatic system, reducing side effects, such as bruising, tenderness, swelling and promoting a speedy recovery following surgical procedures.

The number of (MLD) manual lymphatic drainage treatments post-surgery will depend on many things including what type of procedure you are having or have had, how many areas that are affected and need treating, as well as your general health and your lifestyle. However, you are looking at lease 6 – 10 treatments post-surgery. MLD should be seen as part of your initial post-operative care plan as any form of surgery is a controlled trauma to the body. It is a part of the lymphatic system’s job to promote healing by fighting any infection and reducing inflammation to the trauma site.

To achieve optimal results the treatments will develop as we work our way through your plan to include some gently stretching, lymphatic breathing techniques, with some scar work and massage techniques, each treatment will be unique to you and will accommodate to support the body’s needs for recovery.

Benefits – Post Surgery:-

• Reduces swelling
• Reduces Excess fluids
• Reduces Pain
• Reduces Bruising
• Reduces the development of fibrous tissues
• Prevents the build up of; bodily fluids in the tissues and organs.
• Speeds up recovery process

****Please note: We do not perform incisional drainage. This should ideally be performed by a trained medical practitioner. If you are considering MLD either pre or post-surgery, please talk to your surgeon about your plans. It is important you always follow your surgeon's advice. ***

How you may feel after having MLD

MLD is one of the most relaxing treatments and it’s very common to feel tired, even exhausted, post treatment. This is due to us speeding up the lymphatic system 10 fold for the next 6 hours and then over the following 6 hours it starts to regulate. It’s like your body is doing its own internal marathon hence you’d expect to feel very tired after.

As the body begins its self healing process post treatment, other temporary reactions you may potentially experience are:

• Frequent visits to the toilet
• Runny nose and /or cough
• A slight rash appearing as the skin rebalances itself.
• Temporary flare up of any existing condition which may be being previously suppressed
• Perspiration, as this is another way that the body can excrete waste.
• A change in sleep pattern. Either sleeping very deeply or you may experience difficulty in sleeping and experience vivid dreams.

These reactions are only temporary and should clear within 24-48 hours. They are a positive signal that your body has responded to the treatment and is regulating itself.

Reflexology Lymphatic Drainage (RLD)

Reflexology Lymphatic Drainage, or RLD, was created after many years of research and studies by Sally Kay, a reflexologist, researcher, and award winner. She has dedicated many years to working with cancer patients. After seeing the effects of reflexology on the patients, she created a specific way of using reflexology to help reduce lymphoedema on the arms caused by the removal of lymph nodes after surgery for breast cancer. She conducted very thorough research with amazing results and data.

RLD is a gentle technique that focuses on the lymphatic system reflexes located on the feet (and hands) to cause an effect on the lymphatic system to help it work optimally. Reflexology Lymph Drainage has helped many people over the years. It does not only aim to help reduce the amount of swelling but also can help with many other health conditions such as:

• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
• Fibromyalgia
• ME
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Migraines
• Headaches
• Sinus problems
• Muscle tension
• Allergies such as hay fever and rhinitis
• Eczema
• Post operative recovery (cosmetic)
• Pregnancy related oedema
• And more

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