what is lymphatic drainage?

Lymphatic drainage is a gentle massage technique that moves lymph (or "water") through your body to reduce swelling, improve immune function, and clear toxins from the body. The lymphatic system is a series of vessels (like veins) that move interstitial fluids out of the tissues and return them into the circulatory system. This fluid, or lymph, is cleaned and disinfected through lymph nodes all throughout this system, making it an essential part of the body's immunological defenses.

Developed in France in 1932 by Emil and Estrid Vodder, MLD has grown to be the most well known manual technique to assist lymph flow and aid in drainage of tissues. The skin is lightly stretched and torqued in a specific manner, based on lymphatic anatomy, in order to facilitate fluid flow back to the heart. MLD works with the full-body lymphatic system, including the face and the scalp.

Glymphatic, or venous sinus drainage, promotes fluid drainage from inside the skull, around the brain. The fluid system of the cranium does not use the same vessels (like veins) as the full-body lymphatic system. Rather the water-like fluid, here called "glymph", is drained through a system of vein-like sinuses. This work supports nervous system health and the cleansing of cerebrospinal fluid.

Common benefits of lymphatic drainage include: improved surgical outcomes, pre-surgical preparation, and relief from post-surgical swelling, everyday swelling, fluid retention, sinus pressure, pressure headaches, eye tension, brain fog, and fatigue.