This gentle, non-invasive manual technique has a powerful effect on the body and is an excellent way to help promote the healing process and reduce swelling. It is appropriate after almost any surgery or procedure and is especially recommended by surgeons after cosmetic surgeries, joint replacements, and injuries because it helps to remove swelling and fluid retention, facilitate more efficient healing, support relaxation, relieve stress, reduce scar formation, and improve skin quality and appearance. Our therapists are trained and certified in the original and most respected type of MLD (the Vodder technique) and Advanced Post-Surgical MLD.
Pre/Post-surgical Manual Lymph Drainage (MLD) is a gentle yet powerful manual technique that focuses on stimulating and encouraging the natural movement of lymph fluid in the body. The lymph carries waste products away from the tissues and back toward the heart. MLD uses gentle, rhythmic, and constant movements that mimic the rhythm of the body’s lymphatic system. During a post-surgical manual lymph drainage session, the therapist gently manipulates the lymph nodes and then guides post-surgical edema (fluid) toward those correlating lymph nodes.
What it is not
*Post-surgical Manual Lymph Drainage is NOT massage and definitely not deep tissue massage. MLD should NEVER hurt to receive. MLD is also NOT about pushing fluids out of surgical incisions! Re-opening incision wounds and ‘squeezing’ fluid out of incisions can lead to infection, and using aggressive and deep-pressure “massage” may cause more trauma to the tissues and increase time to heal.
Oftentimes after surgery, the body will swell with excessive edema both at and proximal to the surgical site. This post-operative swelling, while completely normal, can be quite uncomfortable. Sluggishness, decreased range of motion, increased sensitivity, inability to sleep comfortably, and an overall feeling of puffiness and heaviness can often occur during the surgical recovery process.
Reducing post-surgical swelling is one of the most common ways that Manual Lymph Drainage is used. Because of its ability to directly move excessive post-surgical edema while using the gentlest of touch, Manual Lymph Drainage is frequently regarded as a crucial part of the surgical recovery process by surgeons worldwide.
Below is a study done by the NIH (National Institutes of Health) showing the benefits of post-liposuction MLD.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4075221/
Based on other clinical studies, possible benefits of manual lymph drainage for post-op liposuction clients include:
Tonya Brooks, CMLDT, and Alan Jacobson, CMLDT have been providing pre-op and post-op manual lymph drainage to clients planning and recovering from a wide range of surgeries, including but not limited to:
Fibrosis is a buildup of scar tissue that can occur because of cosmetic surgery. After liposuction, fat and collagen fibers that have been displaced by the aspirations of the cannula, can accumulate and cause the formation of more fibrous tissue. This can lead to a lumpy and bumpy appearance and is sometimes found in the lateral torso, lower abdomen, and back after liposuction. While this consequence of liposuction is not ideal, it can be treated!
Through various techniques, fibrosis and scar tissue can be gently treated causing any lumps and bumps that may have settled during the recovery process to be smoothed out. Using myofascial release therapy, a special lymphatic supporting blend of oils, wood therapy, and cupping allows for scarring and edema build-up to be gently reduced, allowing you to feel more comfortable and confident in your new body.
