What is Lymphatic Drainage Massage?

• Lymphatic drainage therapy stimulates your immune and circulatory systems, giving you an overall immunity boost and prevent inflammation and swelling.
• It is a gentle form of massage used to relieve painful swelling in your arms and legs caused by lymphoedema. Lymphoedema often affects people recovering from breast cancer surgery where nodes and breast tissue have been surgically removed.
• Manual lymphatic drainage is a gentle massage to encourage the natural drainage of the lymph from the body tissue. (Lymph is the fluid that circulates in the tissue space/interstitial throughout the lymphatic system.)
• The technique is light with gentle pressure mobilising fluid toward the lymphatic sites, with varying degrees of pressure in the actual sites (chest, neck, pelvis, axilla (armpit), inguinal (groin) region) and in association with the blood vessels of the intestines.
• Lymphatic drainage massage or therapy also known as manual lymphatic drainage (MLD)

The Healing Practice has 5 “Add On ‘ treatments to complement Lymphatic Drainage Therapy!

The Full Body ‘Circulate Compression System’
(Compression Circulate System with garment ‘sleeves’ to target specific ‘problem’ areas on a clients body)
Facial Sculpting & Buccal Massage Trio Deluxe
The Celluma Pro LED Light Therapy Add On
The Gua Sha Facial & Foot Reflexology Add On
The Back Scrub and Foot Reflexology Add On 

More About Conditions that Require Lymphatic Drainage             

Lymphoedema – also know as lymphatic obstruction, is a condition of localised fluid retention and tissue swelling caused by a compromised lymphatic system. There is  both primary (which may be inherited) and secondary lymphoedema, (which occurs due to injury to the lymphatic vessels and nodes). Such as cancer patients that in the course of their treatment from surgery, where lymph nodes have been removed or destroyed from radiation therapy, are most at risk in developing lymphoedema.

Treatment for lymphoedema – may vary according to the severity of the oedema and associated symptoms. Most people with lymphoedema manage their condition themselves, with a regime of self-care interspersed with other treatment and medical advice when appropriate. The most common treatments are a combination of manual lymphatic drainage, compression garments and bandaging.  Although more ideal together, any of the treatments can be done individually.

Oedema – is a build up of fluid when the lymphatic system struggles (but is not damaged) to remove the excess fluid. Causes include the body’s reaction to hot weather, a high salt intake, stress and the hormones associated with the menstrual cycle, pregnancy or menopause. Symptoms include swelling of body parts such as feet, hands and ankles, a feeling of stiffness or aching and weight fluctuations.

Treatment for oedema  – though much less serious and mostly a short-term condition, it is generally treated in the same way as lymphoedema. Pregnancy oedema is often relieved by elevation of the feet and rest. Wheras severe oedema accompanied by other symptoms; such as protein in the urine,  sudden onset of headaches, blurred vision, epigastric pain, can be symptomatic of pre-eclampsia (a type of pregnancy induced hypertension).

More Lymphatic Information:

• The circulatory system processes an average of 20 litres of blood per day through capillary filtration which removes plasma while leaving the blood cells. Roughly 17 litres of the filtered plasma actually get reabsorbed directly into the blood vessels, while the remaining 3 litres are left behind in the interstitial fluid.
• The thymus gland and spleen are important in the function of the lymphatics. The thymus gland is a lymphatic system organ and makes T-cells; which locate and destroy invading pathogens in the blood stream and lymphatic system. The Spleen organ plays multiple supporting roles in the body. It acts as a filter for blood as part of the immune system. Old red blood cells are recycled in the spleen, and platelets and white blood cells are stored there. The spleen also helps fight certain kinds of bacteria that cause pneumonia and meningitis.

What Products Do I Use?

I use light, absorbable and nutritious oils with additives of essential oils and therapeutic herbs. My use of essential oils is mindful of individual need and preferences, such as allergies, pregnancy and proper dosage.

Who cannot be treated?

Contraindications for Lymphatic Drainage Massage are Oedema that is the result of kidney failure, heart failure, liver disease, local infection, blood clots and DVT (Deep vein thrombosis). Also active chemotherapy for cancer treatment is another contraindication.