| Manual Lymph Drainage is a massage technique that helps rid the body of excess fluid and toxins that have built up over time. The Lymphatic system is stimulated opening occlusions in the vasculature and removing the waste products of the body. Manual Lymph Drainage or MLD is used to clear the lymph nodes in the distal areas of the limbs.
The gentle techniques of MLD were first conceived in in Europe as an effective means of ridding the body of waste products that accumulate in the lymphatic system. Once the occlusions in the lymphatic system have been removed the bodies own systems can again remove the waste on it's own. Manual Lymph Drainage should always be practiced by a knowledgeable practicioner who applies the techniques in the appropriate manner.
Although MLD is performed on bare skin, no massage oils or lotions are used. Gentle pressure in the areas of the lymph nodes and in the correct direction will lightly stretch the lymph vasculature and break the occlusion free to move on in the system to the disposal points. The movement of these toxins and fluids in the body can give an MLD client some symptoms of nausea as the body rids itself of waste.
As with most all modalities of massage a client is encouraged to drink a generous amount of water after the treatment to replenish the system with the fluids that were both lost and those that were just moved. Water travels away from the points where pressure is being applied to the muscle and without proper rehydration those cells will take too long of a time to refill on their own without extra hydration.
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