Our initial consultation with a physiotherapist involves assessment and developing a self management strategy. After which you will have a known baseline to see whether various interventions are effective for you and a clear set of home strategies that you can implement daily. Manual Lymphatic drainage is one tool that can assist with reducing swelling. At Mitchell Integrated Therapy our remedial massage therapist is well versed in this technique.

The Lymphatic System

The lymphatic system is a major body system and the front line in our defence in fighting bodily infections, detoxifying the body and transporting metabolic waste, excess fluid, toxins and bacteria out of the body.

The role of lymphatics include:

• Being the bodies waste disposal unit to detox and clear daily toxins.
• Assists in maintaining homeostatic fluid volume.
• Prevents toxic shock.
• Transports immune competent cells to localise infection.
• Carries nutrients absorbed from the small intestines to the blood.

Manual Lymph Drainage (MLD)

MLD is a specific massage technique (timing, pressure and direction) which encourages the natural circulation of lymph through the body.

It is not a muscular massage but a harmonious manual treatment using a combination of gentle massage and mild mechanical stretching of the connective tissue to facilitate decongestion of the lymph ducts.

The manual manoeuvres are very subtle. Work is generally performed with the flat of the hand using all the fingers to stimulate aquatic, wave like movements.