What is Manual lymphatic Drainage?
Manual lymphatic drainage is a technique for treatment of swollen lymph nodes. MLD is a light, skin-stretching massage that helps promote the movement of lymphatic fluid out of the swollen limb. It is specifically focused on the lymph vessels to help increase the lymph reabsorption. MLD helps drive the interstitial fluid into the prelymphatic channel of the connective tissue into the initial lymph vessel, as well as to help accelerate the filling and emptying of lymph capillaries.
When Manual Lymphatic Drainage can be applied?
- Lymphedema (primary and secondary forms)
- Lipedema (and combined forms such as lipo-lymphedema) and benign symmetrical lipomatosis (Madelung’s syndrome)
- Phlebo-lymphostatic edema
- Posttraumatic and postoperative edema
How Physiotherapy can help?
Physiotherapist will provide manual lymphatic drainage. A pneumatic pump can also help to stimulate the flow of lymph, discuss with your physiotherapist before you get one for yourself. They also give advice on the skin care from the swollen lymph node, self massage and home exercises that can be done to reduce fluid retention.
Article by Chia Cho Li
Physiotherapist from Your Physio