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MANUAL
LYMPH DRAINAGE (MLD)
Manual Lymph Drainage (MLD) is an Austrian technique, created
by Dr Vodder in the 1930's, to manually 'unblock' the lymph
system.
The effect of the treatment is made longer lasting when used with the
Connective Tissue Manipulation (CTM) technique described elsewhere.
Lymph is a clear almost colourless fluid which transports
various substances from the fluid around the cells back to
the blood vessels.
It is important in the removal of bacteria,
vitamins, hormones and waste products and also carries out
vital functions in defence and protection from illness. The
lymph system is part of the auto-immune system. Manual Lymph
Drainage is a very gentle massage that uses stationary circles
over the lymph nodes and superficial lymph vessels to improve
the flow of lymph. If the massage is too firm the tiny lymph
vessels in the skin are squashed and lymph is unable to flow.
Stimulation of the lymph system enables more fluid to drain
from the tissues back into the blood vessels in the base of
the neck.
Tension often builds up in the neck and shoulders
due to stress or neck and upper limb injury. This causes the
connective tissue to tighten and restrict the return of lymph
into the blood vessels. There is a build up of fluid and pressure
within the tissues, which causes pain and other symptoms.
By stimulating the lymph flow with Manual Lymph Drainage and reducing the connective
tissue tension with Connective Tissue Manipulation the backlog
of fluid in the tissues is lessened. This reduces the pressure
and therefore eases the pain. MLD is always used prior to
Connective Tissue Manipulation for the treatment of upper
limb and neck conditions. This improves the drainage before the
CTM increases the blood flow.
A
patient with frequent headaches would be treated with Manual
Lymph Drainage to ease the pain and Connective Tissue Manipulation
to reduce the frequency of recurrence.
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