Plastic surgery has benefitted greatly from the introduction of the use of Manual Lymphatic Drainage, excess fluid post surgery has a great impact on the healing of the skin, bruising and scar tissue formation.

Improving the visibility of the scar and function is one of the most important factors in scar tissue Manual lymphatic drainage. The goal of treating scars is to restore function, provide relief of symptoms, enhance appearance and prevent recurrence.

Thigh lifts which involve excessive scar tissue formation have been found to disrupt the lymphatic vessels in the lower leg creating swelling weeks to months after the operation.

Function of the scar tissue is a key factor in restoring fluid imbalance and preventing excess fluid accumulation, at the time of a wound fibroblasts which are a type of cell that make up the extracellular matrix and collagen. Fibroblasts rush to the site of damage where they deposit new collagen and start the process of healing.

Sometimes Hypertrophic or keloid scarring can occur, hypertrophic is excess collagen laid down and usually does not extend beyond the wound but can become raised and red. Keloid is usually large red raised scar that can extend beyond the borders of the wound and cause severe itching, pain and limit the movement of skin.

To remove keloid scarring sometimes surgery is performed which has the consequences of causing further scaring in the process of healing. Plastic surgeons try to limit the impact of scaring through surgery and post surgical care, hence the need for added care of compression garments and the use of manual lymphatic drainage.

When surgery is performed the initial lymphatic vessels are cut, these initial lymphatic vessels are located just under the skin the fluid is then transported to the pre-collectors, then to the collector channels which are located deep in the body running parallel to the arteries and veins. Over time the initial lymph vessels will reform to continue working but as scar tissue forms they can be inhibited in there function to reduce swelling.

Manual lymphatic drainage is performed to encourage the initial lymph vessels to regenerate and bind together, lymphatic drainage function is to distribute fluid and to soften scar tissue making keloid formation less common, to reduce the swelling above and below the scar.

A one week pre operative daily lymphatic drainage treatments of the area to be operated on significantly improve post operative healing, post operative lymphatic drainage can be performed as soon as the wound has healed, and also has great results when sessions are performed in a number of succession treatments.

This is a great article to read, from the perspective of a number of surgeons in America, on how they look or treat scar revision. All of the surgeons in this article make a point of early intervention with scar massage as an important factor in the initial phase of therapy.

Scar Tissue Round Table Review

Before and after picture of a burn scar from the Wittlinger Therapy Centre Austria Vodder Therapy Institute.

Manual Lymphatic Drainage (Vodder Technique)

A treatment to activate and encourage the flow of lymph throughout the body.

The technique is based on physiological and scientific research and has proven to be an effective technique for the reduction of oedema (swelling).

Lymphatic Drainage was developed in Europe in 1932 by Dr Emil and Estrid Vodder, today the Vodder technique of Lymphatic Drainage is widely practiced in clinics and hospitals world wide, this is especially the case in Europe where the Vodder School is founded in Austria.
The Lymphatic System is a network of vessels and nodes that maintain the delicate fluid balance between tissue and blood.
The Vodder Method of Manual Lymphatic Drainage achieves its effect on the body in various ways, it acts on swelling reduction through the lymphatic system, through the blood capillaries, and through transfer of swollen tissue to functioning regions in the body. The nervous system by reducing pain caused by swelling and the muscular system by way of effecting skeletal muscles and the ability to influence the immune system.

This technique must be used and performed to a high standard of precise movements to have a swelling reducing effect that can be fast acting and lasting, this all depends on the initial cause of the swelling.

Lymphatic drainage treatments are performed by pumping and stretching movements on the skin.
This technique assists in moving the lymph forward and draining the connective tissue via the initial vessels, from there it moves into deeper lymphatic vessels to the lymph nodes, where the fluid is then cleansed of bacteria and pathogens. Once this process has been achieved the excess fluid moves into the veinous system and also excreted from the body.

Treatments can vary depending on what type of tissue the client has and the kind of swelling present, all clients are assessed on a case by case basis hence why treatments can vary in length and tissue pressure.
This technique must be performed to a high standard of precise movements to have a swelling reducing effect that can be fast acting and lasting.

Secondary underlying factors could play a very important part in the inability to reduce even the most basic of injury swelling via the body’s natural way of healing. Medication may add to or hinder persistent swelling problems post surgery, disease, sports injury’s or trauma. Therapist who learn the Vodder Method of MLD have a knowledge of lymphology and physiology this knowledge is adapted to particular symptoms or underlying causes of illnesses, stress and trauma.

Manual lymphatic drainage can be used on vast and varied number of conditions, successful case studies have proven this through years of research. Lymphoedema is one form of a condition that lymphatic drainage has great benefits in the reduction of fluid, other recommendations can be swelling from venous insufficiency,Plastic surgery.

I have found using this technique and knowledge of Vodder method of manual lymphatic drainage invaluable as a therapist.

Listed below is a growing number of indications where The Movement Clinic has used manual lymphatic drainage as a treatment for side effects of swelling or scar tissue formation:
Please note: All of the below list have attended a, Medical G.P, Surgeon, or Physiotherapy check up or referral before treatment of Manual Lymphatic Drainage commenced.

Achilles surgery
Muscular gastrocnemius tears (Calf)
Post knee surgery
Dupuytren’s Contracture post surgery
corked thigh
Hand surgery
finger dislocation
repetitive strain symptoms
Scar tissue post surgery
Rib fractures
Forearm fractures
Wrist trauma
Muscle aches lactic acid
whiplash (headaches)
Fibromyalgia
Abdominoplasty
Full Body Lift
Inflammation Acne
Sun Burn or Second Degree Burns
Soft Tissue damage
Severe Bruising
Breast cancer, lymph node removal
post lung cancer surgery
gynecological cancer
Skin Graft
Trauma Head Injury
Genetic Disease
Kidney Transplant
Graft V’s Host
Parkinson’s
HIV related symptoms
Veinous insufficiency
Sinus surgery
Pre and Post Pregnancy (lymphatic Disorder)
Chronic Fatigue