Manual Lymph Drainage: A type of massage that encourages the natural drainage of the lymph, which carries waste products away from the tissues back towards the heart, and then eventually eliminated by peeing it out. The lymph system depends on the intrinsic contractions of the smooth muscle cells in the walls of the lymph vessels and the movement of the skeletal muscles to propel the lymph through the vessels to the lymph nodes and then the lymph ducts which return the lymph to the cardiovascular system at the venus angles (The neck region). Manual Lymph Drainage uses a light pressure and rhythmic circular movements to stimulate the lymph flow.
MLD can be used as a full body detoxing massage or to help with swelling issues, mostly lymphatic but it does effect the circulatory system. Everyone can benefit with a full body detoxing massage, but the following information is going to be geared toward Plastic Surgery Recovery. There will be a lot of information explaining what will be involved when you come into HMR for MLD. We have 2 Certified Lymphedema Therapists, Cassondra Kubit, LMT (16 years certified) and Yaslin Claudio, LMT (5 years certified).
Please Note:
Who are allowed to practice Manual Lymph Drainage?
Licensed Massage Therapists
Physical Therapists
Physical Therapist Assistants (Under PT direction)
Occupational Therapists
Occupational Therapist Assistants (Under OT direction)
Nurses (Under a Medical Doctor direction)
Medical Doctors
Who are not allowed to practice Manual Lymph Drainage by State Law?
Cosmetologist (there are a lot in Rochester who are saying they do Massage for post op...Be aware if they injure you their liability insurance will not cover any damages)
Estheticians (they are allowed to do face MLD only when done in their facials)
Nail Techs
Unlicensed practitioners (And yes, there are a few in Rochester.)
Is there a difference between a Certified Lymphedema Therapist and an Uncertified Therapist? Yes. Always ask for credentials. Find out what kind of training they have had and what makes them qualified to do Manual Lymph Drainage. Taking a 1 day class or looking a Youtube videos do not count. Becoming a Certified Lymphedema Therapist is 135+ continuing education credits and is recognized by the Lymphedema Association.
What schools certify therapists?
Norton School of Lymphatic Therapy
Klose Training of Lymphedema
There are a few more but they are specific for PT's
Some Terms To Familiarize Yourself With:
• Seroma: A pocket of clear serous fluid that sometimes develops in the body after surgery. This fluid is composed of blood plasma that has seeped out of ruptured small blood vessels and inflammatory fluid produced by injured dying cells. Seromas are
not hematomas, which contain red blood cells. Serous fluid is also different from the lymph. Early or improper removal of
sutures can sometimes lead to formation of seroma or discharge of serous fluid from operative areas. Seromas can gradually
reabsorbed over time. This can takes days to weeks or even months. The problem of waiting a long period of time is that it keeps the skin stretched and more scar tissue is created underneath. These can be drained by a needle. We refer out to Dr. Evangelisti.
o *NOT APART OF THE LYMPHATIC SYSTEM. IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER. o Seromas tend to be in the low back above the BBL area, and below the belly button above the abdominal plasty scar and feels like a water balloon underneath the skin.
• Fibrotic Tissue and Scar Tissue: These two words have started to become used as the same. There is some overlapping of the two words but they are a bit different, but are treated the same with myofascial release techniques. This is something that is worked on throughout all MLD sessions. You DO NOT need to do the rolling pin (or as it is now called wood therapy. I will be explaining the damage of wood therapy after surgery farther down on the page).
Under Construction More Coming
