Manual Lymphatic Drainage
Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) is the traditional method of moving lymph in order to drain swollen areas of the body and return the excess fluid to the circulatory system so it may be excreted from the body.
Manual Lymphatic Drainage is the “gold standard” in lymphatic drainage for Lymphedema and Lipedema, and is available for anyone unable to use Electro-Lymphatic Therapy (ELT) due to wounds, pacemakers, or other conditions.
MLD is one of several steps that make up Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT).
Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) is a very specific manual technique (not to be confused with massage) that is used to open lymphatic vessels in swollen tissues. Fluid then flows into the vessels and is routed along very specific pathways to return lymph to the circulatory system.
The process works by first opening the ducts where lymph empties into the circulatory system at the superior vena cava next to the heart. This is the equivalent of unclogging a pipe where the water backed up in the sink is then sucked down the drain.
