Lymphatic drainage Massage Birmingham

What is lymphatic drainage?

Manual Lymphatic Drainage Simple Lymphatic Drainage  FeesDeep Tissue MassageMLD Therapists

Lymphatic drainage is an advanced massage which uses a range of gentle specialised and rhythmic pumping techniques to stimulate the lymphatic system which plays important roles in our immune system, fat transport and drainage of the fluids between cells.

Lymphatic drainage is both preventative and remedial, and can enhance wellbeing. The massage is deeply relaxing, promotes healing, and controls swelling. It also relieves fluid congestion and is an effective component of the treatment and control of lymphoedema.

There are two main types of lymphatic drainage:

MLD should only be performed by a trained lymphatic drainage specialist. Our therapists undergo extensive training and follow emerging techniques to provide the best results.

Your therapist will teach you how to perform SLD yourself during your first session. Simple lymphatic drainage can be performed between your sessions with the therapist and can help to control swelling. It can also be continued long term to promote proper functioning of the lymphatic system.

Manual Lymphatic Drainage

There are multiple different techniques for MLD, using different massage movements to stimulate the lymphatic system. You can ask your therapist about the method they use and how it works. You will also be helped to perform breathing exercises as part of your MLD treatment.

Our surgical patients are advised to have a course of MLD following surgery. Manual lymphatic drainage is particularly effective at controlling swelling after Facelifts, Blepharoplasties, Rhinoplasties, Vaser liposuction, Tummy Tucks and other body contouring procedures. This massage is also prescribed for patients with facial swelling such as festoons.

What to expect during your Lymphatic Drainage Massage

The usual recommedation for patients is to have 6 sessions over a 2 week period, starting from 1 to 7 days after surgery.

Before and after your treatment, your therapist will run through some breathing exercises with you. You may need to remove some of your clothes and be asked to lie down. Using a light pressure and slow, regular movements, your therapist will massage your lymph nodes to help the lymph to drain.

Your therapist will show you how to perform a simple version of lymphatic drainage at home (SLD) to reduce swelling in between treatments.

You will not be able to have MLD if you have an infection in the swollen area, or if you have certain medical conditions, such as heart problems.

Simple Lymphatic Drainage

Your specialist will recommend simple lymphatic drainage (SLD) during your treatment. This is a simplified form of manual lymphatic drainage.

It is important that you are taught how to perform these techniques by a specialist before you attempt them yourself. They will show you how to massage the area where you do not have swelling so that fluid can drain into it from the swollen area. You will not normally massage the swollen area.