Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD)

Manual Lymphatic Drainage is a massage therapy that is recommended for everyone who seeks general wellness and to maintain a good body shape and functionality. It is especially useful for people who retain water during their menstrual cycle or after pregnancy. It also works wonders for headaches and migraines, and digestive problems can be less troublesome if treated with MLD. Also, it can provide benefits to people who may experience swelling and inflammation due to autoimmune disorders, such as Rheumatoid Arthritis, Lyme Disease, and Lupus.

MLD can be also very beneficial if you have noticed a slowdown in your metabolism, an increase in hormonal imbalances, an increase in allergies, feeling sluggish or heavier than normal or brain fog, as many times these symptoms can be a sign that there is a blockage in the lymphatic system.

Specific preparation is not required, but try to come to your MLD session hydrated and with loose clothing.

Drinking lots of water after a Manual Lymphatic Drainage session helps to prevent feeling sluggish or even sick as the cellular debris moves through the system. Wear loose clothes to encourage lymph flow.

Try to avoid alcohol, caffeine, and sugar consumption for at least three hours after your MLD to allow your body to take off everything and stay clean.

Go for a gentle 15 min run, a long walk, or some swimming, pilates, or yoga after your MLD. All those exercises can add great benefit to your session.

Get a healthier lifestyle to maintain your results for longer. Eliminate dairy products, which produce mucus and result in increased stagnation. Instead focus on eating more whole, raw foods such as fruit and vegetables. Keep your protein intake at around 0.8 grams per kilogram of body weight, as excess protein causes uric acid to build up in the body, which in turn slows kidney function, forcing waste to seep out through the skin, making you susceptible to conditions such as rosacea, eczema, acne, cell mutation, and many autoimmune diseases.

Get regular exercise habits. Get to or stay at a healthy weight and always keep yourself hydrated.

None, but perhaps you will go to the bathroom much more frequently afterward, as the body will flush out many toxins. If you are somewhat dehydrated and/or on lots of medications you may feel sluggish or even sick afterward. Drinking lots of water will help you prevent this.

Lymphatic drainage can leave you feeling exhausted. You may want to have a lie-down, or at the very least, a very undemanding schedule for the rest of the day. Give your body time to ease back into activity.
Lymphatic drainage massage may also leave you really thirsty, so you will have to keep your body well-hydrated.

The number of Manual Lymphatic Drainage appointments recommended depends on your exercise habits and general health. For general wellness and to maintain your body’s shape and functionality, you may only need one session per month or even every two months. But if you have an inactive lifestyle, if your lymph system is naturally sluggish, or if you have any health issues that slow down your lymph flow, you may require one to three sessions per week for a few weeks.