Manual Lymphatic Drainage

Manual Lymphatic Drainage – or MLD – is a specialised treatment that focuses on massaging areas of the body where lymph nodes are located. Surgeons frequently recommend it before and after surgery.

Receiving Manual Lymphatic Drainage before surgery helps in preparing the area of the body that is to be operated on. Manual Lymphatic Drainage does this by stimulating the lymph vessels, effectively eliminating any excess fluids, excess proteins, cellular waste products, viruses, bacteria, and other unwanted substances present at or around the surgical sites. The lymph vessels will then transport the stagnant and excess bodily toxins and waste directly to the lymph nodes, where it will be cleaned and filtered by the body’s immune system. On top of shifting the nervous system into a more relaxed state, receiving Manual Lymphatic Drainage can get the body into peak condition prior to the operation. By optimising the cellular environment in the surgical sites, the risk of post-surgical complications may be reduced.

These post-surgical complications include an extended healing process, persistent swelling, continuous pain, and increased risk of infection. These side effects can significantly affect scar formation, resulting in unwanted adhesions and decreased mobility.

Manual Lymphatic Drainage has proven to be successful in reducing the risk of these issues. It helps increase the localised circulation of fresh blood containing nutrients vital for tissue healing and stimulates the lymphatic system in removing unwanted cellular debris and excess fluid at a faster rate. As a result, not only does one get to enjoy an accelerated recovery time, but one’s risk of infection as well as adverse scar formation, pain, swelling and bruising is also greatly reduced.