Lymphatic Therapy
Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) is a light, effective hands-on technique that gives the body a “head start” in redistributing and circulating lymphatic fluid. MLD is not massage, it’s a specialized manual technique delivered by a Certified Lymphedema Therapist. Most of the body’s intricate lymphatic system is accessible just below the skin’s surface which makes it very easy for the therapist’s trained hands to stimulate. This therapy is a fantastic complement to the pelvic therapy and neural mobilization offered at Align PT – and it feels great!
What is the Lymphatic System, and How Does It Affect Overall Health
The lymphatic system is a network of vessels throughout the body that follows along with your circulatory system and drains fluid that has accumulated in the tissues. It then processes and cleanses that fluid via the lymph nodes.
The lymphatic system actually has 3 primary roles.
It serves to maintain fluid balance in the body. It picks up dietary fats from the GI tract and transports them to the bloodstream for metabolism or storage. Finally, it plays a huge role in the immune system by carrying lymphocytes which help to destroy toxins, excess proteins, and foreign cells. Because of these important roles, it’s no surprise that humans would only live 1-2 days without a lymphatic system.
If the lymphatic system is sluggish or not functioning properly, it can lead to a number of problems.
Below are some typical signs and symptoms associated with lymphatic congestion.
- Swelling and fluid retention
- Fatigue
- Stiffness
- Muscle and joint pain
- Bloating
- Digestive issues
- Breast swelling during your cycle
- Headaches
- Facial swelling and sinus problems
- Weight gain
You would benefit from receiving lymphatic therapy if you
- are post-cancer treatment and had lymph node removal.
- had recent orthopedic surgery (hip/knee replacement etc) and have swelling.
- have post-surgical edema from plastic surgery.
- have vascular insufficiency.
- experience water retention related to pregnancy, menstruation, peri/menopause, and endometriosis.
- have chronic pain and inflammation.
- have chronic immune or digestive issues and you need support for your detoxification pathways.
Individuals who receive MLD experience decreased pain, improved immune response, improved health-related quality-of-life, lower fatigue levels, and less symptoms of heaviness and edema.
Schedule a Free Discovery Visit to discuss if lymphatic therapy can help you!