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Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) is a specialized massage technique aimed at stimulating the lymphatic system.
This system is responsible for maintaining fluid balance, supporting immune function, and removing waste products from the body.
MLD involves gentle, rhythmic strokes that encourage the movement of lymph fluid, which can help reduce swelling, improve circulation, and enhance overall health.
How is MLD Applied?
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• MLD is a slow, rhythmical touch applied by the therapist in the form of a light massage. It is incredibly relaxing; some patients fall asleep during treatment.
• It has a calming, anti-stress effect which can facilitate the easing of  pain and the reduction of blood pressure. It can also stimulate the immune defence system within the body.
• It brings about a change in the autonomic nervous system, lowering the "Sympathetic" nervous system (daytime / flight nerves) and accentuating the night / rest nerves of the "Parasympathetic" nervous system.
• MLD reduces pain by exciting the "touch receptors" in the skin which produce an inhibitory or blocking signal to the brain, with the correct application.

 

Migraine headaches are a debilitating and serious daily problem for many people. It is a condition suffered by 14 percent of the population worldwide. Symptoms of migraines include:

• frontal head pain that is, diffuse with moderate to severe pain, that comes on gradually.
• nausea and vomiting and neck pain.
• Lasts between 4 and 72 hours.
• Made worse by exercise, light and noise.
•  Other  symptoms such as vision problems, numbness  in the arms, difficulty speaking and clumsiness.
• needing  to lie down in a quiet dark place, feeling  wiped out the next day.
• They are commonly associated with  depression, anxiety, seizures, and Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

There are many factors known to provoke migraines including:

• Stress (70%) and physical exertion
• Caffeine (soft drinks, coffee, tea, chocolate, OTC drugs, prescription drugs)
• Hormonal changes: oral contraceptives, menstruation,
• Skipping meals
• Weather changes
• Poor or disturbed sleep.

Migraines were traditionally considered to be due to changes in blood flow within the head and neck. However new research supports a more likely cause of sensitization or a heightened sensitivity to pain of the sensory nerves and nerve bodies of the  Trigeminal nerve complex, a process found in other chronic pain syndromes.

The Trigeminal nerve  is the  largest cranial nerve in the head that provides sensation to the blood vessels and surrounding layers of the brain. Upper neck pain is believed to contribute to headaches due to a connection between the cervical sensory nerves and the Trigeminal nerve system. Additionally there are inflammatory pathways activated that contribute to the sensitization process through provoking factors as mentioned above and in people who have a tendency to get migraines.

Triggers as outlined above along with having a tendency to get migraines activates the Trigeminal pain receptors and initiates  release of inflammatory mediators causing an, inflammatory response.

Though migraines are a complex condition Osteopaths may help migraine sufferers by taking a comprehensive case history and assisting clients understand and manage  migraine triggers.

Work gently using manual therapy on  your body to:

• Improve joint mobility, especially in the cervical spine and thorax (or rib cage.)

• Reduce muscular tension in the upper back and ribs and neck.
• Reduce nerve irritation particularly the upper cervical nerves.
• Improve blood supply and drainage to and from the neck
• Provide  advice on posture, preventative exercises and stretching
• help with alignment of the head, neck and upper back in daily life.

Necks can be can be uncomfortable and painful and are a common reason for seeking treatment. If you have a painful or restricted neck how often do you notice that other areas are also distressed such as your upper or lower back or hips for example?

A long time ago as humans evolved to walk on two legs our cervical spines adapted to support our heads in the upright position.  The cervical spine which consists of seven vertebrae muscles, ligaments, blood vessels, nerves and vital organs, needs to move freely to support the head, (which weighs about 3 kilos), and allow us to look straight ahead.

As an osteopath according to our first principle “The body is a unit” I am interested in seeing how other parts of the body may contribute to neck pain.

I am often using my hands to examine and release tension in the upper and middle ribs, upper and lower back and pelvis before working on the neck. My aim is to improve other areas that support good function of the neck and help the whole body feel and move better.

Techniques I may use include soft tissue, inhibition and stretching of tight muscles, articulation of joints of the neck, ribs, shoulders and upper back and neural release of specific cervical nerves and their surrounding layers or dura.

Things that may contribute to neck problems include:

• Sustained neck postures such as looking down at mobile phones, tablets and laptops.
• Slouching and poor sitting posture
• Poor work ergonomics particularly to do with using computers.
• Excessive overhead lifting of weights.

​Things that may assist good neck function include:

• Attending to posture, head neck shoulders in line.
• Regular walking heel to toe.
• Shoulder rolls and upper back stretches.
• Avoiding wearing high heels.

If you’re over 60 its easy to blame everything on “getting older”. That’s what everyone seems to do including doctors.

There are many difficulties that occur in the physical body with aging. Aches and pains difficulty turning your head, sciatica, stiff back, sore knees and headaches. These are some problems of getting older and you may be told that nothing can be done about it.

Osteopaths may help older people.

We listen to you, ask questions about old and new complaints and  then assess your walking and other movements of joints such as hips, shoulders and knees.

We then use our hands to work on your body.  Our aim is to release tight muscles and tissues through stretching and soft tissue work and gently move joints and encourage them to move a little further. we may also use special techniques to release the nerves in the neck, arms and legs to relieve pain and improve movement and balance.
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Osteopaths may help older people with conditions such as:

• Stiffness and immobility.
• Sciatica and nerve referral to the arms and hands.
• Weakness in one leg, arm or hand.
• Difficulty with daily tasks, walking and driving.
• Pain in the neck, back, hips, knees ankles shoulders.
• Headaches and sleeping problems.
• Digestive disorders, reflux constipation and bloating.
• Problems after surgery.