Chester County Message

Christine Burnett CMT LMT
828 Paoli Pike, West Chester, PA. 19380
(Located in West Chester Wellness Center)
Phone: (484) 678-9202 | christineburnett1@yahoo.com

Lymphatic Drainage

Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD)

 

Lymphatic Drainage is the natural function of the lymphatic system, which is an essential part  of immunity.  If this function is not working properly, it can cause a build­up of fluid in the tissues  which is known as Lymphedema.

MLD is a form of massage specifically focusing on the Lymphatic System which is also  known as the garbage can of the body.  The Lymph System removes toxins and impurities from  our bodies which we come in contact with daily from our food, water, air, medications  and environment.  The Lymph systems acts like a pumping station removing debris and flushing out the waste.

Lymph pumping naturally occurs with muscle movement but in today’s busy and somewhat  sedentary lifestyle most of us don’t get the required amount of pumping action on a daily basis. Computer jobs, driving, and sitting at a desk most of the day creates a stagnant lymph system and allows the junk to build up in our bodiesmaking us sluggish, tired and unhealthy.  Lymph moves naturally about 10 beats per minute however after an MLD session the flow is sped up 10 times or about 100 beats per minute, you will definitely know it’s working by frequent  urination after a session.

 MLD is especially important to breast cancer survivors who more than likely have had surgery in the area of lymph flow, especially since most breast cancers are located in the lymph nodes which sometimes are surgically removed, cutting into the natural flow of Lymph and thus  fluid builds and causes swelling which is also known as Lymphedema.

 

MLD is a specialized form of massage, which uses light, rhythmical, precise hand movements, pressure  and sequences which moves and removes fluid from the body resulting in less swelling.