Lymphatic drainage

Do you need a spring cleansing of your body? In combination with cleansing food, lymphatic drainage can offer a solution. By stimulating your lymph nodes and lymphatic pathways, you ensure that your body starts to discharge waste materials more quickly. During the massage and yoga weekend “Refreshing Spring” we have worked with lymphatic drainage techniques. Read more about this method here.

What is lymphatic drainage?

Manual lymphatic drainage is a gentle massage that stimulates the lymphatic system to drain the (too much) lymph fluid.

Our body consists of moisture for 2 / 3. This fluid is among other things between and in the cells, bloodstreams, and lymphatic pathways. Lymphatic fluid ensures, among other things, the transport of harmful substances (such as virus, bacteria) and the conduction of nerve impulses. The lymphatic system (lymph nodes and lymph vessels) is the body's drainage system. Lymph nourishes, purifies and drains and has an important cleansing function. Lymphatic drainage is a natural process of the body that normally does not require help. However, this process can be disrupted by illness, stress or an accident.

Dr. 1932 developed Emil Vodder, a Danish biologist, a revolutionary therapy for that time, the Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD). This subtle massage method brings the moisture balance of the body back into balance. This method is often used in the legs, face and arms.

Such a treatment can be combined with a general one cleansing massage, a supportive draining diet and with edema therapy. Some examples of this are bandage limbs (ambulatory compression therapy), edema and fibrosis, elastic stockings and lymph taping (lymph drainage is stimulated by applying a type of plaster strips).

When is lymph drainage useful?

The lymphatic system, among other things, absorbs and removes excess tissue fluid, proteins and cells from your tissues. Lymphatic drainage can be used in places where there is a surplus of moisture and / or waste in the tissue. There are various disorders that can benefit from lymphatic drainage. For example with lymphedema en lip edema it can make a positive contribution. In the case of inflammation, the inflammation must first be treated before lymphatic drainage is started.

How does manual lymph drainage work?

With the Manual Lymphatic Drainage, a very gentle, pumping pressure is exerted rhythmically on the skin and the subcutaneous connective tissue. The natural flow of the lymph fluid is followed. The goal is to activate the lymphatic system so that fluid and waste are drained faster. Moreover, this immune system improves the immune system. In addition, a manual lymph drainage brings the nervous system in balance. It has a very relaxing and pain-relieving effect.

Which complaints are treated with lymphatic drainage?

The Manual Lymphatic Drainage, according to the Dr. Vodder technique, is used for the following complaints and disorders:

• Swelling (edema, during pregnancy, after surgery, accident)
• Sprains.
• Haemorrhages.
• Muscle pains and muscle injury.
• Migraine.
• Stress related complaints (insomnia, headache, loss of concentration, etc.)
• Constipation.
• Blood circulation problems.
• Headache.
• Chronic eczema.
• Skin problems.
• Cleaning cures (losing weight and detoxing).
• Haemorrhages.
• Sprains.
• Muscle pains.
• Nerve related complaints (MS, migraine).
• Fibromyalgia.

How does lymphatic drainage treatment work?

A lymphatic drainage treatment is soft and almost painless. First, the lymph nodes in the neck are massaged, also stimulating the nerve pathways that regulate the lymphatic system. The lymph nodes and lymph nodes are then massaged in other places. Which they are, depends on your problem or need. The massage pressure is soft and spiral. Because the excess moisture must be properly drained, the rhythm of the massage is very important.

What can you expect after the treatment?

You may have to urinate more after treatment, as dispersed fluid is drained off during treatment. The massage results in the volume of the inflated body part, which contains excess fluid. As a result, the mobility will increase and any existing pain will decrease.