Manual Lymphatic Drainage

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Manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) is a way of reducing swelling caused by fluid build up in the body. 

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How it works

The aim of MLD is to move fluid from the swollen area into a place where the lymphatic system is working normally.

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To do this, I will use specialised skin movements to clear the area that they want the fluid to drain into.

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It might seem strange to have skin movements on your chest and neck if you have lymphoedema in your arm. But it means that the fluid has somewhere to drain to when the therapist treats your arm.

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When you have MLD, you feel a gentle pressure. The skin movements are very light so that the small lymph vessels are not flattened. Flattened lymph vessels would prevent the lymph fluid from draining. The movements are slow and rhythmic so that the lymph vessels open up.