Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) for Detoxing and Wellbeing
Manual Lymphatic Drainage thought all Stages of Life, but Most Importantly, for Midlife:
Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) became famous in the 1930s. At the time Dr Emil Vodder and his wife Estrid were pioneering a branch of medicine called "Lymphology", an area that has never been much understood to this present day. Vodder’s work on the French Riviera lead to noticing that patients suffering from chronic colds had swollen lymph nodes. A combination of intuition and knowledge gained from studies in Lymphology led to the creation of careful hand movements designed to move lymph fluid out of congested areas and back into circulation via alternative functional routes in the body.
So exactly what is the Lymphatic System, why is it important and how can MLD help improve one's health at any stage of life?
The Lymphatic System, a network of vessels and nodes, is the body's waste disposal system that works very hard at keeping diseases at bay. Lymphatic vessels collect fluid from the tissues and take it through the lymph nodes as part of the process of filtering out toxic and harmful substances prior to returning it to the bloodstream and then eliminating the actual harmful substances together with other body waste.
Research shows that the capacity and function of the lymphatic system declines with age. While we cannot prevent ageing, it is possible to slow down the process so that we can be as healthy as possible. A lifestyle where you maintain a healthy diet, exercise regularly and tap into the therapeutic benefits of MLD can help to flush out toxins from the body, improving overall health and wellbeing.
The idea is that the lymphatic system should help prevent debris from "getting stuck", an outcome which would slowly drown and poison the tissue in which the toxic substance is lodged. The lymphatic system performs the vital function of cleansing the fluid that surrounds the cells in the body by removing impurities and waste products. This process not only protects the body from toxins but also allows cells in the body to function well. The task of cleansing is a big job in itself yet it has other duties as well such as absorbing proteins and the fat-soluble vitamins from digested food.
A healthy body manages efficiently the above-mentioned functions but a sub-healthy state, compounded by stress, medication, anxiety, poor diet and bad sleeping habits can lead to issues in one's tissues and one may need a helping hand. If the tissues become too acidic then the vital organs gradually begin to lose their ability to maintain optimal blood, and this can mark the beginning of many illnesses.
An unhealthy lymphatic system can have serious health implications and can lead to fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue, multiple sclerosis, aches and pains, bloating and poor digestion. Research has shown that an unhealthy lymphatic system can contribute to weight gain, cellulite and fat deposits.
If you suffer from the conditions below perhaps your body's innate waste disposal system is not working efficiently:
- autoimmune disorder
- chronic illness
- low thyroid function
- sinus congestion/infections
- headaches
- fatigue
- swollen lymph nodes
- poor circulation
- allergies
- itchiness
- swollen face and/or limbs
- fluid retention
- pressure in the head
- puffy eyes in the morning
Lymphatic drainage treatments are performed by pumping and stretching movements on the skin. This technique assists in moving the lymph forward and draining the connective tissue via the initial vessels, from there it moves into deeper lymphatic vessels to the lymph nodes where the fluid is then cleansed of bacteria and pathogens. Once this process has been achieved the excess fluid moves into the veinous system and is then excreted from the body.
As discovered by the Vodder couple, the manipulation involved in MLD (manual lymphatic drainage) uses a very light and gentle pressure to achieve the desired result of stimulating the lymph vessels that lie just beneath the skin. The lymph vessels are small and thin so hard pressure would be more harmful than beneficial. A hard pressure would actually diminish the flow, a desirable effect.
The Lymphatic System depends purely on muscular movement as it does not have a pump as in the case of the heart. As a result, lymph fluid moves very slowly, the more you move the better the chances in ensuring your lymph fluid is on the "move".
So why not consider MLD as part of your journey back to health. The techniques are designed to increase and promote the flow of lymph thus reducing swelling and puffiness. Furthermore, MLD has a beneficial effect on the nervous, muscular and immune systems. MLD helps reduce pain caused by swelling, affects the propelling of the fluid from the lymph vessels to the nodes during the filtration process, and, in turn, also influences the immune system.
In summary, MLD can benefit people of any age who are experiencing:
- stress and tension
- insomnia
- fatigue
- digestive disorders
- headaches and migraines
- various forms of arthritis
- general aches and pains
- blocked sinuses
- chronic fatigue
- fibromyalgia
- lymphedema
- swelling
- edema
- skin disorders such as acne
Manual Lymphatic Drainage is also great post operations of any kind, including fractures, liposuction and cosmetic surgery.
This article has been written by Mafalda Bojanic a Certified Practitioner of MLD Vodder Method. Mafalda is a leader in the practice of Manual Lymphatic Drainage and has over 15 years of experience. To find out how Mafalda can help you improve your health and wellbeing call Melbourne Wellness at 98940014.