What’s all the buzz about Manual Lymph Drainage (MLD) ?

Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) is a type of gentle massage intended to encourage the natural drainage of the lymph and to reduce swelling and inflammation in the body. The lymphatic system plays an important part in the immune systemlymph helps carry away waste and excess fluid from throughout the body and is rich in white blood cells which fight infection.

MLD is particularly beneficial after surgeries like c-sections, gender affirming surgeries, and mastectomies to name a few. It is a great option for prenatal and postpartum care to help with edema and discomfort. With its slow and rhythmic approach, MLD is an ideal modality for getting the nervous system to wind down into a parasympathic statewhich in itself has systemic benefits!

We offer longer MLD sessions that can focus on full body care, and shorter, more targeted sessions. MLD is a great addition to any Breast/Chest Massage to help lymph drain into the axillary lymph nodes, or to redirect lymph elsewhere if those nodes are compromised. You can also request that a few MLD techniques be incorporated into any massage session.

For a spa-like experience, try out our MLD / Facial Massage + Head & Neck. When incorporated in a facial massage MLD can help decongest and lift the tissues in the head, neck, shoulders, and dcolletage areas.

There is a lot of misinformation out there about MLD, especially on TikTok- here’s one example - you will not lose 8 lbs of water weight in one session as they discuss. You may feel lighter, have an increase in range of motion around joints that were swollen, and see a noticeable difference in fluid accumulation, but likely NOT as drastically as you do in some of these videos (which can be edited in so many ways!)

Learn more about Kiera's MLD Certification here, and you can always reach out with questions. We look forward to seeing you soon!