The greatest wealth is health.
- Virgil
Manual Lymphatic Drainage
Our lymphatic system is a beautiful, intricate, yet efficient network of vessels and nodes designed for cleaning and moving fluid to be returned to the circulatory system. It plays a very important role in immune function and circulation.
When the vessels aren't able to move the lymph fluid back into circulation, the fluid accumulates in the tissues, causing swelling. If the swelling is left untreated, it can lead to a backup of the lymph fluid resulting in lymphedema.
The purpose of manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) is to redirect the fluid from the blocked areas into healthy lymph vessels and increase the lymph flow, which reduces the swelling and discomfort in the tissue and helps to restore healthy function of the lymphatic system.
There are many conditions that MLD can help, a few being:
- sprains
- post-surgical edema
- fibromyalgia
-chronic fatigue syndrome
- rheumatoid arthritis
- migraine and sinus headaches
- fibrocystic breast disease
- enhanced immunity
As with other bodywork, there are also some contraindications. If you have any of the conditions below, you may not be a candidate for MLD:
- fever
- acute cellulitis
- renal dysfunction
- untreated congestive heart failure (CHF)
- acute untreated deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
When the vessels aren't able to move the lymph fluid back into circulation, the fluid accumulates in the tissues, causing swelling. If the swelling is left untreated, it can lead to a backup of the lymph fluid resulting in lymphedema.
The purpose of manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) is to redirect the fluid from the blocked areas into healthy lymph vessels and increase the lymph flow, which reduces the swelling and discomfort in the tissue and helps to restore healthy function of the lymphatic system.
There are many conditions that MLD can help, a few being:
- sprains
- post-surgical edema
- fibromyalgia
-chronic fatigue syndrome
- rheumatoid arthritis
- migraine and sinus headaches
- fibrocystic breast disease
- enhanced immunity
As with other bodywork, there are also some contraindications. If you have any of the conditions below, you may not be a candidate for MLD:
- fever
- acute cellulitis
- renal dysfunction
- untreated congestive heart failure (CHF)
- acute untreated deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
Lymphedema Therapy
Lymphedema is a chronic condition in which protein-rich fluid becomes stagnant in the tissues due to a malfunction of the lymphatic system, which is often caused by trauma to the system (such as removal or radiation of lymph nodes) or malformation in utero. The accumulation of this fluid can lead to swelling, pain, and restriction of mobility of the affected area. If neglected for too long, the buildup can lead to hardening of the skin and tissues underneath and, in severe cases, the fluid may eventually seep from the skin.
As a Certified Lymphedema Therapist (CLT), I treat this condition under the framework of Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT) which consists of MLD, compression bandaging, exercise guidance, skin care, and client education for an optimal outcome. Clients who are treated for lymphedema at Bloom Holistic Wellness can expect a treatment plan that begins with a comprehensive consultation, treatment over a period of 4 weeks (in most cases), fitting for compression garments after achieving optimal reduction of fluid, and guidance in self-MLD and exercise to support the lymphatic system.
Please reach out to me if you have any questions regarding this therapy. You can find a Contact page here or call the phone number listed below.
As a Certified Lymphedema Therapist (CLT), I treat this condition under the framework of Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT) which consists of MLD, compression bandaging, exercise guidance, skin care, and client education for an optimal outcome. Clients who are treated for lymphedema at Bloom Holistic Wellness can expect a treatment plan that begins with a comprehensive consultation, treatment over a period of 4 weeks (in most cases), fitting for compression garments after achieving optimal reduction of fluid, and guidance in self-MLD and exercise to support the lymphatic system.
Please reach out to me if you have any questions regarding this therapy. You can find a Contact page here or call the phone number listed below.