After any surgery there is excess fluid and cellular debris in the tissues. If these substances are left to stagnate in the tissues too long, the cycle of inflammation and pain begins.

In our bodies, the lymphatic system is responsible for reabsorbing those excess fluids and cellular debris. Lymphatic fluid circulates numerous types of white blood cells which destroy cellular debris, viruses and bacteria, and disposes of them via the bloodstream into the kidneys, where all debris and toxins are filtered out.

The goal of the Lymphatic Treatment (Manual Lymph Drainage or MLD) is to reroute the lymph fluid around areas that are blocked after surgery, and gently move the excess fluids and cellular debris into areas with healthy lymph vessels where the lymph fluid can drain easier.

The faster excess fluids and cellular debris are removed from the surgical area, the faster you heal.

Manual Lymph Drainage is a medical massage, consisting of a series of extremely gentle, rhythmic massage strokes. Every stroke is very light, not as heavy as the strokes of a Swedish massage, and no lotion or oil is used.

Lymphatic Treatments greatly increase the circulation of lymphatic fluid throughout the body. Thus, MLD treatments can notably reduce swelling, resulting in less pain and faster healing, as well as less scar tissue formation. 

Upon your surgeon’s approval, MLD can be started soon after surgery and it is recommended that a patient have at least 1 pre-surgical MLD treatments and at least 5 post-surgical (ideally more) MLD treatments.

The initial MLD treatments may partially be performed distally (not directly at the site of your surgery). By utilizing specific medical treatment protocols, I am able to "drain" the excess fluids away from the surgery sites, thus not disturbing any wounds or sutures.