Louis P. Bucky, MD, FACS
Award-Winning, World-Renowned Plastic Surgeon
Premiere Destination for Finest Injectables & Skin Care
Manual Lymphatic Drainage
Our expert MLD massage therapists in Philadelphia use specialized techniques to help promote healing and improve the flow of lymph fluid. By applying light pressure to work directly with your lymphatic system, our treatments reduce swelling, speed up recovery, and enhance overall health. Experience the benefits of a leaner look and detoxified body through our targeted manual lymphatic drainage sessions.
- What is Manual Lymphatic Drainage?
- Why Should I Get Lymphatic Drainage Massage?
- Benefits of Manual Lymphatic Drainage
- Conditions That Can Benefit From Lymphatic Drainage Massage
- Manual Lymphatic Drainage: What to Expect
- Preparing for Manual Lymphatic Drainage
- MLD Treatment
- Recovery after Lymphatic Drainage Massage
- FAQs About Manual Lymphatic Drainage
What is Manual Lymphatic Drainage?
Manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) is a specialized form of massage that stimulates the movement of lymph fluid within the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system, a crucial part of your immune system, consists of a network of vessels and organs beneath the skin. It acts much like a garbage disposal, filtering out waste, bacteria, and other unwanted materials from the body.
During an MLD session, a massage therapist uses gentle, rhythmic strokes to encourage the flow of lymph fluid towards areas with functioning lymph vessels. This technique helps reduce swelling and improve the body’s natural detoxification processes. By promoting the efficient movement of lymph fluid, MLD aids in maintaining a healthy immune system and overall wellness.1
Whether you are seeking relief from lymphedema, recovering from surgery, or simply aiming to support your body’s natural healing processes, manual lymphatic drainage can be an effective and soothing treatment option.
Why Should I Get Lymphatic Drainage Massage?
Many of us have experienced swelling, bloating, or achy pain from surgery, sports injuries, standing for long periods, or dietary reactions. Swelling is the body’s natural response to protect and heal itself. While it typically resolves on its own, manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) can speed up the healing process and reduce swelling through a natural, relaxing, and painless treatment. Patients who received lymphatic massage after surgery often healed within 6-12 weeks, compared to 9-18 months for those who didn’t.2
Our cells rely on lymph fluid to boost immunity and transport waste products. When the lymphatic system is congested, it can compromise your immune system. Lymph fluid, rich in disease-fighting white blood cells, can cause issues like lymphedema if it accumulates. The most noticeable sign of a compromised lymphatic system is swelling, usually in the arms and legs. Tight rings or snug clothes can indicate fluid retention, leading to pain and a feeling of heaviness.
Conditions That Can Benefit From Lymphatic Drainage Massage
Lymphatic vessels can become congested due to surgery, infection, trauma, or diseases like cancer. By incorporating MLD into your routine, you can alleviate these symptoms and support your body’s natural healing processes, making it an invaluable treatment for a wide range of conditions,3 including:
- Rheumatoid Arthritis: Ongoing arthritis in your joints causing joint pain, swelling, and stiffness.
- Fibromyalgia: Chronic muscle and joint pain.
- Chronic Venous Insufficiency: Inefficient leg veins making it hard for blood to return to your heart.
- Lipedema: Excess fat accumulation in the lower body blocking lymphatic pathways and causing lymphedema.
- Post-Surgery Recovery: Especially following breast cancer surgery.
Benefits of Manual Lymphatic Drainage
Patients receive a wide range of benefits from lymphatic drainage massage, including:
- Reduced swelling and inflammation
- Reduced discomfort
- Faster recovery
- Improved circulation
- Less bloating
- Elimination of excess toxins
- Improved healing
- Reduced scarring
Manual Lymphatic Drainage: What to Expect
Preparing for Manual Lymphatic Drainage
There are a few things you can do to prepare for your lymphatic drainage massage session:
- Drink plenty of water
- Arrive wearing no oils or lotions
- Wear comfortable clothes
MLD Treatment
MLT usually takes roughly 30 minutes, but treatment times can vary according to the treatmenta area(s). During treatment, you will relax on a comfortable treatment bed as your massage therapist uses slow and gentle rhythmic movements on your skin to promote lymphatic flow.
Recovery after Lymphatic Drainage Massage
After your manual lymphatic drainage massage session, you should feel relaxed. You may feel some slight soreness, but this will naturally resolve within a day or two. Be sure to drink plenty of water, and you should avoid alcohol and caffeinated beverages for the first 24 hours after your massage.
FAQs About Manual Lymphatic Drainage
Each patient’s condition, body, and goals are unique. We recommend at least two MLD treatment sessions for our post-surgery patients. Some patients may choose to come in for follow-up massages after that.
Manual lymphatic drainage is an effective treatment for many conditions, and is generally considered to be safe. However, MLD is not recommended for patients who have certain conditions, such as:
- Infections
- Blood clots
- Heart conditions
- Kidney failure4
Compression therapy uses a garment to reduce swelling, providing a less targeted approach compared to manual lymphatic drainage (MLD). MLD involves a hands-on technique where our therapists manually gather information from your body to redirect lymphatic fluid and reduce swelling in specific areas. In contrast, compression therapy applies general pressure throughout the entire garment.
While compression therapy can be beneficial for healthy individuals, particularly after intense workouts or for overall body relaxation, MLD offers a more personalized treatment approach. Combining compression therapy with MLD can enhance the benefits of both methods, providing a comprehensive solution for managing swelling and promoting healing.
Contact Us
To schedule your manual lymphatic drainage massage at our Philadelphia office, please contact us today.
1 Cleveland Clinic. Lymphatic Drainage Massage. Available: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/21768-lymphatic-drainage-massage. Accessed May 16, 2024.
2 Conference of the American Society of Lymphology. August 21-22, 1999. Manual Lymphatic Drainage Therapy: An Integral Component of Postoperative Care in Plastic Surgery Patients. Available at: https://haltmyswelling.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Research-Manual-Lymphatic-Drainage-An-integral-Component-of-Postoperative-Care.pdf. Accessed May 16, 2024.
3 Lopera C, Worsley PR, Bader DL, Fenlon D. Investigating the Short-Term Effects of Manual Lymphatic Drainage and Compression Garment Therapies on Lymphatic Function Using Near-Infrared Imaging. Lymphat Res Biol. 2017 Sep;15(3):235-240. doi: 10.1089/lrb.2017.0001. Epub 2017 Jul 27. PMID: 28749744. Available: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28749744/. Accessed May 16, 2024.
4 American Massage Therapy Association. Go With the Flow: Manual Lymphatic Drainage. Available: https://www.amtamassage.org/publications/massage-therapy-journal/manual-lymphatic-drainage/. Accessed May 16, 2024.
Dr. Bucky has either authored or reviewed and approved this content.
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