Manual Lymphatic Drainage or MLD and how osteopaths may use it in clinic.

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.
Here are some of the benefits of MLD for the body:

• 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.
• It is incredibly relaxing; some patients fall asleep during treatment.
  

 ​Manual Lymphatic Drainage  complements osteopathic principles by supporting the body’s natural healing processes, particularly through lymphatic stimulation, enhancing detoxification, and promoting fluid balance.

Here are some conditions that may benefit from  the use of MLD in an osteopathic treatment:

• Acute injuries and bruising - MLD speeds up tissue recovery, gently reduce swelling and improve local circulation.
• Post-Joint replacement surgery - MLD reduces excessive swelling and may  improve healing and recovery
• Chronic conditions like osteo and rheumatoid arthritis – MLD helps remove inflammatory mediators, relaxes the nervous system, relaxes tight muscles and promotes fluid movement.
• Headaches and Migraines - helps relieves tension in the neck, reduces inflammation, and promotes drainage of sinus and other fluids from the head and neck.
• Fibromyalgia: MLD may help manage the widespread pain and tenderness associated with fibromyalgia by reducing inflammation and relaxing the nervous system.
• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: MLD may assist with sluggish lymphatic flow and poor immune function often present in people with chronic fatigue sufferers.
• Back Pain and Sciatica through reducing inflammation around the spinal muscles and nerves, improving circulation and reducing pain.