Manual Lymphatic Drainage

Manual Lymph Drainage (MLD) has grown to be the most well-known manual technique to assist lymph flow and aid in drainage of tissues. MLD helps to remove toxins, bacteria, viruses, cell debris, waste and edema away from the tissues and into the lymphatic system where it can be eliminated or cleansed.

The light touch utilized in Manual Lymph Drainage is designed to move the skin in specific directions in order to stretch and stimulate the opening of the initial lymphatics just below the surface of the skin.

Manual lymph drainage uses gentle, rhythmical and precise hand movements. The strokes involve immediate skin contact (no oil) to influence the direction and speed of lymphatic flow and re-directing it if necessary. It will not cause pain or reddening of the skin.

Many massage therapy clients suffer from either acute or chronic conditions that affect the lymphatic drainage system where normal massage techniques are not suitable or ineffective. These conditions are therefore more appropriately addressed with manual lymph drainage than regular massage.

Others enjoy a deeply relaxing session to keep the lymphatic system in good condition or to reduce puffiness through facial rejuvenation. 

Medical Benefits of Manual Lymphatic Drainage:

Reduces swelling and speeds healing by moving fluid from injured or damaged lymphatic areas to healthy/intact ones. (lymphedema, post-surgery, injuries, chronic venous insufficiency)

Removes waste products, toxins, bacteria, protein molecules and foreign substances from the tissues. Boosts the immune system by speeding up the transport of bacteria and allergens to the lymph nodes, our body’s defense system

Reduces pain in 3 ways: by moving pain mediators out of the tissues, removing excess fluid that can press on pain receptors, and by the Gate Theory of Pain, where touch receptors are stimulated by the rhythmic Manual Lymphatic Drainage strokes which overtake the signals sent by pain receptors.

Has a calming effect on the autonomic nervous system, inducing a deep relaxed state.

Clients who respond very favorably to manual lymph drainage include:

*post-traumatic soft tissue injuries

*post-surgical clients recovering from cosmetic surgeries such as face-lifts, breast augmentation, and liposuction and orthopedic surgeries such as joint repair or replacement.

*autoimmune disorders such as fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, lyme and lupus.

*anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Pre-Surgical Manual Lymphatic Drainage

Get your body into peak condition before surgery, heal faster, decrease and soften scar tissue, with Manual Lymphatic Drainage . Surgeons find it easier to make an incision through clean, well-drained tissue, particularly in any sort of aesthetic surgery.

Pre-Surgery benefits of Manual Lymphatic Drainage

  • Prepares tissue for surgery by draining excess fluids from the cells

  • Detoxifies/clears the tissues

  • Stimulates the immune system

  • Reduces anxiety and stress by increasing your body’s natural release of serotonin and endorphins.

I recommend clients have 1 to 2 lymphatic drainage session(s) 2-4 days prior to the scheduled procedure.

Post-Surgical Manual Lymphatic Drainage

Manual Lymphatic Drainage for surgery patients is a hands-on, non invasive technique where the purpose is to alleviate the pain, reduce discomfort, reduce swelling/inflammation and prevent imperfections on patients after surgery like “fibrosis”.

Post-Surgery benefits of Manual Lymphatic Drainage

  • Decreases pain and inflammation

  • Reduces swelling and bruising

  • Softens scar tissue

  • Speeds up healing

  • Improves appearance faster

  • Promotes deep relaxation

I recommend that initially and with physician approval, patients have 2-4 lymphatic drainage sessions starting as soon as possible, often 5-7 days after surgery.

Autoimmune Disease Manual Lymphatic Drainage

Manual Lymphatic Drainage can be helpful for managing autoimmune diseases such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, chronic fatigue as well as Lyme disease which manifests as immune disorder.

Lymph nodes serve in the immune system in part to help carry white blood cells through the body to help fight illness. Many people suffer from blockage of the lymph nodes or a sluggish lymphatic system which can be exacerbate autoimmune disease symptoms.

Manual Lymphatic Drainage can assist in unblocking lymph nodes helping to increase the body’s overall defenses.


Clients with lymphedema requiring the assistance of a Certified Lymphedema Therapist and Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT) will be referred to H.O.P.E. Life Lymphedema & Rehab here on Hilton Head.

https://hopelifeandlymphedema.com/hope-services/