Detoxing? Try a Manual Lymphatic Drainage treatment (MLD)
Just wanted to let you know that the clinic now offers MLD or manual lymphatic drainage ( the Dr Vodder method) This could be part of a wholistic treatment plan for your condition or as a stand alone modality. Unlike regular massage treatment, MLD does not use oils or heavy pressure. As the lymphatic fluid exists just under the skin, the treatment feels the same pressure as rolling an egg on the bench, so incredibly relaxing, but powerful on detoxing and moving excess fluid. Regular massage claims to move lymph but it is not as effective as it literally squashes the lymphatic vessels.
Why lymphatic drainage?
Without the lymphatic system, you would die of toxic shock. It is the major waste disposal unit of the body, and is also a part of the immune system . It is the front line defence in fighting bodily infections , detoxing and transporting metabolic waste , excess fluid, toxins and bacteria out of the body. It transports immuno competent cells around the body to localise infection, carries food components from the small intestine to blood circulation and picks up excess fluid and protein from areas of the body .
“We strike at the source of life and death when we go to the lymphatics” - Andrew Still
Philosophy and mechanical principles of osteopathy
Above is the locations of all major lymph nodes in the body. The lymph enters these nodes with garbage and leaves the node cleaned - amazing ! In certain conditions though the tissues and lymph become congested and that’s when MLD works like magic.
The blood has roughly 8 litres flowing around the body with a pump ( the heart) , while the lymph has 10 litres in the body and no pump, so the way it moves is when you breathe, you move , you exercise, you bounce on a trampoline (that’s right, one of those little trampolines) or lymphatic drainage massage (MLD.) . Around 2.5 litres travels slowly in the body over 24 hours, and if all is well, 10 litres takes 5 days !
Manual Lymphatic drainage uses a pumping/stretching action that speeds up the flow of the lymph and is especially useful for swelling in the body , post surgery , rheumatic diseases, arthropathy, cosmetic disorders, like acne, scaring , stretch marks, gynaecological disorders, lactation disorders and autonomic imbalances such as stress/burnout, after serious operations, severe illness in older people , fasting diets and children with recurrent infections .
It’s wise to have a chat before booking an MLD treatment as there may be some contraindications as listed below;
Metastases, untreated malignant disease, recurrent tumour recurrence, acute inflammation, acute allergy, acute thrombosis, acute phlebitis, cardiac insufficiency, relating to feet, ankles and calves.
How long is a MLD treatment ?
The usual treatment takes around an hour to an hour and half with the lymphatic facial technique (divine and known as ‘the fountain of youth’) I often use some Bodytalk at the end of the treatment to super enhance the effects. Not only are you getting rid of physical toxins but emotional toxins at the same time. People often report feeling ‘lighter’ after the treatment on all levels.