What Is Manual Lymphatic Drainage?
Manual Lymphatic Drainage (Vodder Technique)
A treatment to activate and encourage the flow of lymph throughout the body.
The technique is based on physiological and scientific research and has proven to be an effective technique for the reduction of oedema (swelling).
Lymphatic Drainage was developed in Europe in 1932 by Dr Emil and Estrid Vodder, today the Vodder technique of Lymphatic Drainage is widely practiced in clinics and hospitals world wide, this is especially the case in Europe where the Vodder School is founded in Austria.
The Lymphatic System is a network of vessels and nodes that maintain the delicate fluid balance between tissue and blood.
The Vodder Method of Manual Lymphatic Drainage achieves its effect on the body in various ways, it acts on swelling reduction through the lymphatic system, through the blood capillaries, and through transfer of swollen tissue to functioning regions in the body. The nervous system by reducing pain caused by swelling and the muscular system by way of effecting skeletal muscles and the ability to influence the immune system.
This technique must be used and performed to a high standard of precise movements to have a swelling reducing effect that can be fast acting and lasting, this all depends on the initial cause of the swelling.
Lymphatic drainage treatments are performed by pumping and stretching movements on the skin.
This technique assists in moving the lymph forward and draining the connective tissue via the initial vessels, from there it moves into deeper lymphatic vessels to the lymph nodes, where the fluid is then cleansed of bacteria and pathogens. Once this process has been achieved the excess fluid moves into the veinous system and also excreted from the body.
Treatments can vary depending on what type of tissue the client has and the kind of swelling present, all clients are assessed on a case by case basis hence why treatments can vary in length and tissue pressure.
Secondary underlying factors could play a very important part in the inability to reduce even the most basic of injury swelling via the body’s natural way of healing. Medication may add to or hinder persistent swelling problems post surgery, disease, sports injury’s or trauma. Therapist who learn the Vodder Method of MLD have a knowledge of lymphology and physiology this knowledge is adapted to particular symptoms or underlying causes of illnesses, stress and trauma.
Manual lymphatic drainage can be used on vast and varied number of conditions, successful case studies have proven this through years of research. Lymphoedema is one form of a condition that lymphatic drainage has great benefits in the reduction of fluid, other recommendations can be swelling from venous insufficiency or plastic surgery post surgery care.
This is a comprehensive video on how the lymphatic system works .
Listed below is a growing number of indications where The Movement Clinic has used manual lymphatic drainage as a treatment for side effects of swelling or scar tissue formation:
Please note: All of the below list have attended a, Medical G.P, Surgeon, or Physiotherapy check up or referral before treatment of Manual Lymphatic Drainage commenced.
Head and Neck
Sinus pre and post surgery, benign positional vertigo, inflammation acne, second degree burn, severe bruising, trauma head injury, whiplash, headaches, submandibular lymph node removal swelling,fibromyalgia. rhinoplasty, jaw surgery post, fracture of the orbit(eye),
Breast cancer lymph node removal, Breast swelling and scar tissue, severe bruising, rib fracture, skin graft, post lung cancer surgery,
Abdominal, Pelvis and Hip
Kidney transplant post surgery, irritable bowel syndrome, post gynecological cancer, abdominoplasty post surgery, liposuction post surgery, hip surgery post, pre and post pregnancy swelling (lymphatic disorders), full body lift, Prostate Cancer (Lymphatic disturbance leg and groin swelling).
Arm and Hand
Dupuytens contracture post surgery, hand surgery, finger dislocation, repetitive strain wrist and arm, forearm fracture, wrist trauma, hand swelling, axillary lymph node removal, scar tissue elbow.
Leg and Foot
Corked thigh, knee surgery post, achilles surgery, calf tear (gastrocnemius), muscle aches lactic acid, soft tissue damage, graft v’s host, HIV related peripheral neuropathy, venous insufficiency, ankle surgery post, ankle sprain, broken toe, diabetes, thigh lift post surgery.
Parkinsons, diabetes, HIV, chronic fatigue, immune disorders, secondary lymphatic disorders, primary lymphatic disease.