What Is Manual Lymphatic Drainage?
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.
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 or plastic surgery post surgery care.
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
Venous insufficiency
Sinus surgery
Pre and Post Pregnancy (lymphatic Disorder)
Chronic Fatigue