The lymphatic system plays a crucial role in your immunity because it is responsible for removing waste from your body’s connective tissues. Likened to a sewage system, lymphatic drainage is enabled through a delicate network of vessels, releasing toxins through hundreds of lymph nodes. As a functioning waste removal system, the lymphatic system allows white blood cells – your disease-fighting immune cells – to travel where they are needed through your blood stream to help prevent infection.
But when the lymphatic system stops working as intended, the consequences can be severe and serious. Conditions like lymphoedema, which is chronic swelling often in the limbs, can result from a blockage in the lymphatic system. This is where specialised and gentle massage treatments like manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) can help. With many health benefits, MLD can help to ease pain and reduce swelling from conditions like lymphoedema.
Lymphoedema is a condition most commonly caused by the removal or damage to the lymph nodes, causing blockage in the lymphatic system. This blockage prevents lymph vessels from draining lymph fluid, resulting in excessive lymphatic fluid retention (oedema), often pooling in the limbs, resulting in chronic swelling.
Lymphoedema can be primary or secondary. Primary lymphoedema is a rare inherited condition and is less common. Secondary lymphoedema is more common and results from damage to lymph nodes or vessels and include surgery, cancer, injury, and infection.
Manual lymphatic drainage is a toxin-flushing treatment that uses a light touch skin-stretching technique (because the lymphatic system is close to the surface of the skin), accelerating the absorption and transportation of lymphatic fluids.
MLD helps reduce swelling in parts of the body by using specialised strokes in a single direction towards the heart’s circulation pattern. By aiding the body’s lymphatic circulation, this lymphatic drainage modality further helps boost immunity by removing toxins and waste.
MLD can help treat a range of more serious conditions including lymphoedema, as well other issues like skin disorders, stress, insomnia, arthritis, digestive problems and migraines. Manual lymphatic drainage is one of a wide range of customised techniques that highly specialised myotherapists use in working with the body’s soft tissues to reduce pain and discomfort.
Besides more chronic conditions that lymphatic drainage can help with, MLD may also have other more temporary aesthetic benefits. These include reducing water retention and bloating. And while the research on beauty benefits is anecdotal, lymphatic drainage has also been linked to some positive effect on skin’s anti-aging — because aging is linked to a deterioration in lymphatic function, lymphatic drainage helps lymphatic function and encourages drainage.
Overall, the health benefits of manual lymphatic drainage is positive. From more serious health-related conditions to helping boost your body’s overall immunity. MLD is also an extremely relaxing, gentle and enjoyable treatment. So the body benefits are abundant.
Please note that the information shared in this blog is not medical advice. Please speak to your medical professional for any medical diagnosis, medical advice and/or treatment.
Bondi Junction Massage & Float Centre is a restorative and remedial oasis of calm and wellbeing in the heart of Sydney’s eastern suburbs, treating thousands of clients since 1985. To find out more about manual lymphatic drainage or any of our other treatments make contact today, or book now.
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