Manual Lymphatic Drainage

Alex can offer four types of Manual Lymphatic Drainage appointments

  • Post op MLD, an initial appointment 75 mins and a follow up session 60 mins
  • MLD for the management of Lymphoedema or Lipoedema
  • MLD for Well-being
  • Brazilian Lymphatic Drainage

Post-operative Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD)
Is available through specialized providers and is a specialized gentle massage technique designed to reduce swelling, bruising, and fluid build-up after surgery.

What is Post-Op MLD?

  • Gentle touch: Uses light, rhythmic strokes—never deep pressure—to stimulate lymph flow.
  • Targeted clearance: Moves excess interstitial fluid and waste away from surgical sites toward functioning lymph nodes.
  • Surgeon-recommended: Often prescribed after cosmetic and reconstructive procedures like liposuction, tummy tucks, facelifts, and breast surgeries.

Key Benefits

  • Reduces swelling: Speeds up the clearing of post-surgical oedema and puffiness.
  • Prevents complications: Lowers the risk of fibrosis (hardened scar tissue) and seromas (fluid pockets).
  • Accelerates healing: Improves oxygenation and tissue health while easing pain and discomfort.

Timing and Protocol

  • When to start: Usually begins 3 to 5 days post-surgery, though timing depends heavily on your surgeon’s specific clearance and the type of procedure.
  • Frequency: Often scheduled 2 to 3 times per week initially, tapering down as recovery progresses.
  • Session length: Typically lasts 60 minutes to treat the broader lymphatic system (including the back and legs).
  • Important rule: Always get formal approval from your surgeon before booking a session, as MLD is contraindicated in cases of active infection, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), or unhealed/unstable wounds.

MLD for the Management of Lymphoedema or Lipoedema
Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD): Is a specialized medical massage performed by a trained therapist. It uses light, rhythmic, stretching movements on bare skin without oils or creams. is a specialized, gentle skin-stretching technique designed to move built-up lymph fluid away from swollen areas toward healthy working lymph nodes.

Core Principles & Technique

  • Light Pressure: The touch is very gentle—just enough to move the skin over the underlying tissue without causing redness, friction, or pain. Unlike deep tissue or aromatherapy massage, heavy pressure or oils can increase blood flow and create more lymph fluid.
  • Clear Pathways First: Therapists and routines always clear the healthy, unswollen lymph node pathways (such as the neck, collarbone, or opposite armpit/groin) before encouraging fluid to drain out of the affected limb
  • Sessions usually start and end with slow, deep belly breaths to stimulate central lymphatic flow.

When to Avoid Lymphoedema Massage
Lymphatic drainage massage is contraindicated (unsafe) if you have:

  • A localized skin infection or cellulitis
  • Active blood clots or deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
  • Uncontrolled heart conditions or heart failure
  • Active cancer present in the treatment area

MLD for Well-being
Using manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) for general well-being and preventative health is highly effective. Because the lymphatic system relies entirely on physical movement and muscle contractions to pump fluid rather than a central organ like the heart, MLD acts as an external catalyst to optimize this natural filtration process. 

When utilized for everyday wellness rather than medical management, MLD offers several distinct health benefits:

Core Benefits for Well-Being

  • Deep Relaxation and Stress Relief: The light, slow, rhythmic pumping strokes used in MLD naturally switch the nervous system into a parasympathetic state (the “rest and digest” mode). This heavily reduces cortisol levels, relieves deep-seated anxiety, and can significantly improve sleep quality. 
  • Reduced Bloating and De-puffing: MLD effectively addresses sub-clinical water retention. It is frequently used to alleviate heavy or sluggish legs caused by long periods of sitting or standing, reduce facial puffiness, and soothe abdominal bloating. 
  • Immune System Support: By accelerating the flow of lymph fluid, MLD helps move metabolic cellular waste and toxins toward the lymph nodes. This assists the nodes in filtering out pathogens more efficiently, effectively supporting overall immune defenses. 
  • Skin Vitality: The micro-circulation boosted by MLD delivers fresh oxygen and nutrients to skin tissues. This internal “detoxification” can lead to a clearer, brighter complexion and is widely incorporated into premium holistic facial therapies. 

Brazilian Lymphatic Drainage (Maderotherapy), also known as wood therapy, is a holistic, non-invasive massage technique that uses specially designed wooden tools (such as rollers, suction cups, and contouring boards) to manipulate soft tissues, stimulate the lymphatic system, and sculpt the body.

The word comes from madera, the Spanish word for wood. While roots trace back to ancient healing practices in Asia and Egypt, the modern system was refined in Colombia during the 1980s.

How It Works

  • Tools: Therapists use anatomically shaped wooden rollers, cubes, suction cups, and flat-edged boards.
  • Technique: The wood applies deep, targeted pressure that hands alone cannot easily replicate.

Main Benefits

  • Aesthetic Goals: It is used to target localized fat, smooth out the appearance of cellulite, and contour the thighs, hips, and abdomen.
  • Physiological Effects: It stimulates blood circulation, encourages lymphatic drainage to flush out cellular waste, and helps break down minor tissue adhesions.
  • Relaxation: It also relieves general muscular tension and lowers stress.