Why MLD (Manual Lymphatic Drainage)?

 Let's be real, if you don't have a vibrant immune system, you don't have good health. If the last three years have shown us anything, it has shown us that the difference between health and sickness, life and death, is the ability of our immune system to fight off deadly pathogens (viruses, bacteria, cancer). Our immune system is responsible for defending the body.

The lymphatic system is the body system that primarily supports and creates the immune system. It is the first line of defense as it transports a multitude of harmful substances out of the body. When the lymphatic system is sluggish, our immune system can become compromised, leaving us open to disease.

 There are over 80 recognized autoimmune disorders. They attack many different body parts and systems, but the one main thing that they have in common is the nastiness of inflammation. There are two types of inflammation, acute and chronic. Acute inflammation is the kind you get when you injure yourself, like a sprained ankle. When we injure ourselves, the body responds with extra fluids and nutrients to feed the cells and heal the body. That is a good thing. The problem lies with chronic inflammation. The body needs oxygen to heal and thrive. When there is chronic inflammation, an overabundance of fluid, the cells can not breathe and heal.

I have found that when I work with clients that have autoimmune disorders, relieving that extra fluid helps with their symptoms. They feel lighter, their pain resolves, they sleep better, they have better digestion, etc. Manual lymphatic drainage does not cure their disorder, however, life is easier when the symptoms are kept at bay.

Some people are experiencing longer than expected residual symptoms from getting and recovering from the virus that is making their life a challenge, coining the term, Long Hauler. On the flip side, some people are experiencing residual symptoms from receiving the vaccine.

When our body is exposed to external forces such as a virus or an injection of something into our system, our body's response is to remove the antagonist, and create healing. This healing process creates inflammation, and inflammation can create more illness. It can be a vicious cycle.

Manual Lymphatic Drainage can not heal the body of these residual symptoms, however, it can help remove the inflammation, toxins, and antagonists to allow the immune system to heal the body. My clients are seeing a relief of their symptoms and with MLD I know you can too.

The big word that everyone talks about is detoxification. It is a very important concept when promoting health. Toxins can compromise many bodily systems, and they can create inflammation all over the body. Toxins can be responsible for weight gain, or the inability to lose weight. They can lead to premature aging, a reduction of energy production, and lower your protection against oxidative stress. Failure of these body functions can increase your risk of diseases, like Cancer.

Choosing to engage in a detox protocol is a smart thing. However, if your lymphatic system is sluggish, it is harder for the body to expel the toxins in an efficient, timely manner. The lymphatic system is the primary toxin neutralizer of the body. The more efficient the lymphatic system moves, the quicker those toxins can find a way out of your body, and the quicker you will restore better health to all your body systems.

 Lymphedema is a disorder of the lymphatic system. When the lymphatic system is disrupted as when someone has lymph nodes removed due to surgical intervention such as cancer, or from organic dysfunction, lymphatic fluid can become stagnant and create swelling of the tissues. When not addressed, this fluid can get out of control, create distress in the tissues which can lead to loss of mobility in the area of the lymphedema, and skin infections that if not treated can result in debilitating illness.

Manual lymphatic drainage is a great tool for managing this condition. Although most insurance companies will reimburse for lymphatic services, therapists in hospitals and rehab facilities have started opting out of doing Manual Lymphatic Drainage to save time, to make their quotas for the month. But if asked, they would admit that they leave a huge piece of the puzzle out, by not doing a full treatment. 

 Lipedema is an actual fat disorder. Most doctors are not aware of this disorder and therefore diagnose their clients wrongly. Lipedema affects 11% of the female population and it is hereditary. It is also a hormone-driven condition that can start at puberty, get worse at childbirth, and at menopause. Women who have this disorder are characterized by having a thinner upper body and being disproportionately larger in the butt, hips, and legs.

You ask how lipedema is associated with the lymphatic system? Well, the superficial lymphatic system lays within the adipose (fat) tissue. The fat tissue can and does stress out the lymphatic system not allowing fluid to exit the tissues creating swelling (lymphedema). Manual Lymphatic drainage supports and helps the disorder, to support the legs.

When the vein valves in the legs improperly function it can cause a backup of fluid in the legs. Technically this is not lymphedema, however, Manual Lymphatic Drainage can greatly improve fluid retention. This is a condition that if not managed, can get out of hand causing skin changes, and possibly skin ulcers and cellulitis. 

 Having any surgical procedure done puts the body in a state of acute inflammation. Manual Lymphatic Drainage helps move the fluid out of the tissues so healing can happen quicker.

Manual lymphatic drainage for post-cosmetic surgery (lipo, fat transfer, etc) can help with pressure, pain, bruising, scar healing, and an overall feeling of lightness. Many knee replacement patients find that using MLD helps with the common leg swelling that happens right after the surgery, and long after healing has happened.

 We all know the discomfort that comes with a heavy workout. The discomfort of the lactic acid can make you walk funny, retain fluid, and feel sluggish, which is not a lot of fun. But recent studies have shown that manual lymphatic drainage can reduce the lactic acid that builds up in the muscles. It can reduce post-workout swelling, and can improve the regenerative process.

Manual lymphatic drainage can also help with the appearance of cellulite by releasing trapped fluid in the areas underneath the skin.