Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD)
How Can Manual Lymphatic Drainage Help You?
Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) offers a wide range of benefits, including:
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Reducing tissue swelling, particularly after injury or surgery.
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Cosmetic surgery recovery eg after liposuction, VASER, tummy tucks and face lifts (see the Post-Surgical MLD page for more detail).
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Managing lymphoedema: For reduction, as part of Decongestive Therapy or as Maintenance Therapy. (see the Lymphatic Drainage for Lymphoedema page for more detail).
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Supporting recovery after other surgeries: Such as joint replacements, caesarean sections, and hernia repairs.
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Managing lipoedema: By addressing the inflammatory response associated with this condition.
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Improving skin health: smoothing skin irregularities and complementing scar-tissue reduction massage treatment.
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Aiding detoxification: Assists in flushing out medication build-up and waste products, ideal for those detoxing, losing weight rapidly, or on wellness journeys.
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Relieving fluid retention: Beneficial for sedentary individuals, including the elderly, wheelchair users, or those recovering from long-haul travel.
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Alleviating chronic symptoms: Can help manage arthritis, chronic fatigue syndrome, and fibromyalgia.
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Boosting immunity: For individuals prone to frequent colds, chest infections, sore throats, migraines, or sinus issues.
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Promoting relaxation: Provides relief for those experiencing stress, anxiety, depression, or insomnia.
What is Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD)?
Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) is not a massage—it’s a specialized technique developed by Dr. Emil Vodder in the 1930s. Its primary purpose is to stimulate the lymphatic system, helping to remove excess fluid, metabolic waste and other unwanted substances from congested tissues. This in turn supports the body’s natural immune function and promotes overall health.
Key Functions of the Lymphatic System
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Fluid Balance: The lymphatic system helps drain excess fluid from tissues and returns it to the bloodstream. This prevents tissue swelling (oedema) and maintains hydration levels in the body.
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Waste Removal: It filters and clears away waste products, dead cells, bacteria, and other harmful substances through a network of vessels and lymph nodes.
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Immune Response: Lymph nodes produce and house lymphocytes (white blood cells) that help defend against infections, destroying pathogens and abnormal cells.
When the lymphatic system is less effective eg to surgery, injury or health problems, it can lead to a build up of fluid, waste products, and toxins in the tissues which may result in swelling, a weakened immune response, or feelings of sluggishness. MLD is particularly effective in optimising these key functions.
What Does MLD Feel Like?
Unlike traditional massage of the muscles, MLD involves the light, rhythmic and repetitive stimulation of skin receptors which triggers tiny pulses in the lymphatic vessels just beneath the skin, increasing lymph flow throughout the body and when needed, altering the direction the fluid travels. The technique is so gentle and soothing that most people find it incredibly relaxing, enabling them to almost fall asleep during the treatment.
How Many Treatments Will I Need?
Treatment is always tailored variably to the goals of each client and how many treatments you might need will be discussed and explained in detail during your first consultation visit, following visual assessment of the issue - but it is important for all clients to understand that for any issues with problematic swelling, MLD works best with treatment repetition in close succession in order to increase lymphatic flow for long enough to have a beneficial effect on the congestion. For example, if you have lower leg swelling which has built up over a long period of time, it may take 2-3 treatments on a daily (or every other day) basis before you notice a significant reduction, and you will likely then require further treatments to take the swelling down completely. Your onward course of treatment is then usually extended less frequently over the next few weeks. Feel free to ask what approximate schedule is recommended for your particular goals in advance, but be aware that your response to MLD will very much be determined by the cause of the issue, its severity and your adherence to home care advice provided during the course of your treatment. A single treatment is good for relaxation purposes, but is rarely maximally effective for achieving remedial therapeutic goals.
A Vodder-Trained MLD Therapist
Our therapist is highly trained in the Dr. Vodder method and holds full membership with MLD UK. Certified as a Decongestive Lymphatic Therapist (DLT), she is qualified to work with clients with medical conditions such as lymphoedema, lipoedema and after cancer treatment. She also specializes in Surgical Recovery.
Given the unregulated nature of the massage industry, it’s important to choose a certified MLD professional if you have serious health conditions or a lymphatic disorder. This blog post explains why.
For a list of properly qualified and registered MLD therapists and more information on Lymphatic Drainage, visit the MLD UK website.
Is MLD Safe for Everyone?
While MLD is generally very safe, there are some conditions where it should not be performed:
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Untreated malignant diseases such as cancer, including tumors or metastases
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Acute inflammation caused by infection, allergic reactions, or other factors
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Cardiac insufficiency
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Acute phlebitis or thrombosis (e.g. DVT)
Other conditions may require modifications to lymphatic drainage treatment. Your therapist will review these during your consultation appointment basing discussion on the contents of your Health Information Form.
Pricing for Treatments at the Practice
First MLD Appointment (for clients without lymphoedema)
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70 minutes £90, which includes consultation, aftercare advice & 60 mins of treatment
First MLD Appointment (for Lymphoedema)
If you need treatment for lymphoedema, please get in touch before booking to clarify whether you will require a 70 or 90 minute First Appointment (prices below).
Follow up / Other MLD Appointments
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60 minutes £80
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70 minutes £90
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90 minutes £120
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120 minutes £160
The therapist will outline during consultation (or if you get in touch before booking), how long your follow-up appointments should be, but broadly speaking longer appointments are required if you have had liposuction to multiple body areas, if you have lymphoedema in more than one limb, or if you are seeking very deep relaxation.
MLD Packages
Packages of 10 MLD appointments are available at a discounted rate (6.2% less than paying-as-you go).
For example:
£760 for 60 min treatments, or £844 for 70 min treatments.
Package rates are by special arrangement and are not available through the online booking system. Please get in touch to be sent further details and the applicable terms & conditions.