The mechanisms at work in Dr. Vodder’s Manual Lymph Drainage (MLD)
Forty years of scientific studies MLD produces three major effects, all of which have been scientifically studied and confirmed:
Decongestive effect
Any swelling of the body – with the exceptions of cardiac(heart) and renal(kidney) edema – can be successfully treated with MLD. The lymphatic system is a kind of “one-way street”, which ultimately transports the lymphatic load (protein, fat, cellular and water load) in the right ventricle from the tissue back into the circulatory system. Just picture the lymph fluids as the waste removal system of the human body. Wherever “waste” (toxins, proteins, detritus from wounds) is produced, the lymphatic system must act in order to drain such waste. The special MLD massage technique induces a pumping effect in the tissue. The lymphatic pathways’ own rhythm is accelerated to up to 20 times its normal rate. This enhanced drainage effect results in rapid decongestion and restoration of normal tissue condition.
Sympatholytic effect
Manual Lymph Drainage is very soothing. Frequently patients doze off within minutes. Steady and rhythmic hand strokes by a good therapist are the prerequisite for successful treatment. Your patients are very stressed? Try and suggest a series of 6 x 30 minutes lymph drainage sessions. It is a wonderful preventive measure against burnout. » click here for the indications of MLD
Analgesic effect
Pain relief through MLD is like trying to “scratch away” the pain and itching of mosquito bites. Scratching will stimulate large skin areas, thus reducing the feeling of pain, just as MLD stimulates the lymphatic system to alleviate pain. (Gate control theory). Moreover, MLD results in pain mediators being drained into the lymphatic system more rapidly, so that they are no longer active in the tissue. Any prolonged pain, such as pain generated by migraine, acute injuries, Sudeck’s disease, fibromyalgia, etc., therefore is among the indications for lymph drainage. MLD’s fourth effect The above three effects of Dr. Vodder’s MLD have already been studied and confirmed on numerous occasions. However, we believe that MLD has yet another, i.e. an
Immunological effect
MLD helps accelerate the transportation of bacteria and allergens to the places where the body’s defense system is located (i.e. the lymph nodes) and where the increased rate of lymphatic drainage heightens the sensitization of lymphocytes and macrophages. The latter can travel more rapidly via the blood flow to reach the “scene of action” and intervene by phagocytosis, which in turn will improve immunization.
