What is Manual Lymph Drainage ?

Dictionary definition :

A massage therapy involving rhythmic manual techniques which improve drainage throughout the lymphatic system, used especially to reduce oedema.

Manual Lymph Drainage is an extremely gentle but effective method of removing excess swelling caused by inefficiency in the lymphatic system. The technique encourages the flow of the lymph from the affected areas by creating a pumping action which stimulates the lymphatic vessels. In a facial this can reduce puffiness around the eyes and give the skin a more toned look. It is extremely relaxing but can also be beneficial for those with sinus problems and certain skin conditions.

 It was developed by Dr Emil Vodder during the 1930’s and is now becoming more widely established as a treatment in hospitals and clinics.  In these settings it is used as a method of assisting those who have lymphoedema either due to a hereditary condition or due to the removal of lymph nodes. In addition to this it has several other benefits including the breaking down of severe bruising, improving the appearance of scars and helping with inflammatory conditioning such as tendonitis.