Lymphatic Massage

Facilitate Flow

Lymphatic massage, more properly called manual lymphatic drainage (MLD), uses a light touch to facilitate lymphatic flow.

Properly done, lymphatic massage is gentle, painless, and relaxing.

Lymphatic massage is different to what we generally think of as massage. Instead of working on the muscles as in most massages, or on the fascia as in myofascial release, lymphatic massage is working just below the skin to help the lymphatic capillaries and the lymphatic vessels move fluid through the body. It feels so gentle that you might not think anything is happening, but it’s been shown to help the lymphatic system work more effectively.

As a certified lymphedema specialist for the last eight years, I’ve spent thousands of hours providing lymphatic drainage massage to a variety of clients.

If you’re experiencing swelling for any reason, lymphatic massage can help relieve it.

If you have chronic pain, lymphatic massage can help reduce your pain threshold and increase your pain tolerance.

If you have chronic stress or your nervous system is highly activated, lymphatic massage can help regulate your autonomic nervous system activity.

If you’re planning surgery, especially top surgery or liposuction, lymphatic massage afterwards can speed up your recovery.

If you’re a breast cancer survivor, regular lymphatic massage can reduce the chances developing lymphedema.

If you have lipedema or lymphedema, regular lymphatic massage can help you manage your condition after you’ve finished the intensive phase of treatment.

If you’re planning a marathon or other major physical activity, lymphatic massage can help with muscle recovery.

If you’re concerned about toxins or inflammation, lymphatic massage can help reduce inflammation and improve the immune system function.

gentle flow of water evoking to flow facilitated by manual lymphatic drainage

Conditions that lymphatic drainage massage can help include:

There are indications that lymphatic drainage massage may also help with:

  • Long COVID

  • Multiple sclerosis (MS)

  • Parkinson’s disease

  • Scleroderma

  • Reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD) or complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS)

  • Lupus

a hand holding a shell resting on the water

What happens in a lymphatic drainage session

We will start by checking in about your needs and goals for the session, and plan together what areas we’ll work on and techniques we’ll use. We can choose among traditional hands-on techniques, or use other tools such as cupping, vibration, or dry brushing.

You’ll be invited to change into something that doesn’t limit lymphatic flow and allows access to bare skin where it’s comfortable for you.

We’ll spend the rest of the treatment time following our plan, using light touch to clear congestion in the trunk then move fluid towards the center.

You will always have the power to stop or change what’s happening, no matter what.

Cancer and Lymphatic Massage

As a cancer survivor myself, I remember how life-altering it was to get my diagnosis. Going through treatment can get overwhelming. For people with breast cancer, or other cancers where treatment includes removing lymph nodes or radiation, the risk of developing lymphedema is just one more thing to deal with.

Lymphatic drainage can help prevent lymphedema after cancer by improving lymphatic flow and reducing inflammation. Additional benefits of lymphatic massage for cancer survivors include managing pain, reducing stress, and calming the nervous system.

Lymphatic drainage is safe for people with cancer, even when it’s metastasized.

Lymphedema and Lymphatic Massage

People with lymphedema know that ongoing effort is needed to control their swelling. Big changes can be made during intensive treatment with a lymphedema therapist, and that’s often covered by insurance. But the medical-industrial complex isn’t designed for chronic conditions. Once people transition from intensive treatment to the maintenance phase, insurance coverage dries up. People should get compression garments and be trained in managing their condition at home before being discharged from therapy, but after that they’re left to manage as well as they can on their own.

Regular lymphatic drainage massages can help keep lymphedema controlled, especially when combined with consistently wearing compression garments. I can usually see and feel the difference after doing lymphatic massage, and my clients tell me they can feel the difference too. Swelling gets softer, skin feels less tight, the swollen limb feels lighter, and it’s often easier to move.

If you’ve finished your insurance-covered therapy but want to continue getting lymphatic drainage from an experienced therapist, I’m here to help.

Lipedema and Lymphatic Massage

Living with lipedema is frustrating, and the medical-industrial complex makes it even more frustrating. Getting a diagnosis in the first place is a challenge, and many folks never know they have it unless they discover it online or meet a lymphedema specialist. We know liposuction helps, but getting it covered and finding a surgeon is hard. Insurance will often pay for a trial of conservative therapy with a lymphedema specialist, which is a great way to get appropriate compression garments and learn ways to manage lipedema symptoms. But insurance usually doesn’t like to pay for ongoing care, even though lipedema is a chronic condition.

My clients with lipedema tell me they feel lighter after manual lymphatic drainage sessions. They can move more easily, and their pain is relieved. Studies also indicate that MLD can help manage the pain and discomfort of lipedema. It can also help with bruising, improve mobility, and control swelling. It hasn’t been tested, but in theory it makes sense that regular MLD can also prevent developing lymphedema on top of existing lipedema.

If you’d like to get lymphatic drainage massages past what insurance will cover, I’d love to see you.

Surgery and Lymphatic Massage

Any kind of surgery can lead to swelling, scarring, and pain. Manual lymphatic drainage can help with stubborn swelling after surgery, and may help speed up recovery.

If your surgeon is comfortable with it, schedule an appointment to try it out.

Liposuction and Lymphatic Massage

Swelling for 3-6 months after liposuction is typical. Lymphatic massage is recommended by many plastic surgeons to speed up recovery after liposuction, especially in the first few weeks. Post-operative swelling, pain, scarring, and tissue changes can all be helped by lymphatic drainage. Your suggestion may have recommendations for a specific number of visits.

You can purchase a package of ten visits at a 10% discount for a full post-surgical plan.

Logistics

Lymphatic massage is $195 per session.

A limited number of sliding scale appointments are available.

Insurance is not accepted, but a superbill can be provided if arranged in advance.

Appointments are at an ADA-compliant office suite in downtown Silver Spring, MD.