Manual Lymph Drainage is a gentle technique that assists the lymphatic system in working more efficiently.  Healthy lymph is a  clear, watery-looking fluid that flows throughout vessels in the body into lymph nodes, which filter out the waste and debris from the system.  When the lymph system is damaged or blocked up, excess fluid may accumulate in the body causing lymphedema.  

Manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) is a type of gentle massage which is intended to encourage the natural drainage of the lymph, carrying waste products away from the tissues back toward the heart and then into the kidneys.  

 

A  Manual Lymph Drainage session is a 50-60 minute, treatment of the body, or a 40 minute Lymph-Lift treatment of the head, neck and face.  The full body treatment is a gentle stretching of the skin along the major highways of the lymphatic system. It helps to create a whirlpool effect in the body, drawing the excess lymph into the nodes where it can be filtered before being passed out of the body through urine.  We recommend a full body treatment for pre- and post-op clients or for those interested in detoxification. 

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Please drink water before your session.

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A healthy person without lymphedema benefits from receiving MLD every 3 months, just as your car benefits from having its oil filter changed quarterly.  Someone who is experiencing lymphedema, sinus issues or immune system difficulties may benefit the most from several treatments within a week.  These sessions can also greatly help with recovery from surgery when received both before and after the procedure.  

 

If you are retaining lymph fluid, then protocol recommends you schedule 3 to 5 visits within a period of 4 to 7 days, followed by quarterly maintenance visits.  For long-standing, chronic issues,  it may take more visits for you to be fully decongested.  Once you are, we recommend medical grade compression garments as ordered by your doctor to maintain the results.  We also offer sessions of different lengths in which we focus on your congested area. 

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If you have surgery scheduled, we recommend 1-3 visits, 1-2 weeks before surgery and 3-10 visits after surgery, beginning about 72 hours post-op and with an all-clear from the doctor. We are happy to help you with your recovery from surgeries such as  Brazilian Butt Lift, tummy tuck, liposuction, C-section, nose job, breast augmentation or reduction, joint (knee, shoulder, etc.), tooth extractions and any other surgery that creates localized swelling. Please note that the squeezing technique practiced in cosmetic surgery facilities in Florida is not actually legally allowed in Michigan (or Florida!) under massage licensure . Our techniques are not painful and will aid your recovery.

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An MLD session is $112 for the body or $84 for the head, neck and face. You may also add on a 15 minute Lymph-Lift to any session with Shelly or Jamilah.

 

If you have had a blood clot within the past 2 years then Manual Lymph Drainage is not  a recommended treatment for you. Active cancer is also a reason to not schedule this service.  You need a healthy liver, heart and kidney(s) in order to receive this treatment.

For more information, please check out  MLD Institute Int'l.