The Lymph Place
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Manual Lymph Drainage for lymphoedema and lipoedema management, inflammation, swelling and well being. Myofascial and Craniosacral Therapy available.
The Lymph Place - Dr Vodder Manual Lymph Drainage Therapy
Focus areas
Relaxation
Taping
Self-help
Kinesiotaping
Pain relief
Shoulder pain
Dr Vodder’s Manual Lymph Drainage
The lymphatic system is involved in the health of all body tissues. It acts to cleanse and assist in the regeneration of the connective tissue, keeping it free of irritants, removing by-products of metabolism and foreign particles. The lymphatic system works closely with the cardiovascular circulatory system.
It helps to maintain blood volume, circulates proteins, transports large fat molecules and is inextricably integrated with all immune responses .
Manual Lymph Drainage (MLD) is a gentle, soothing, non-invasive technique, which significantly improves the activity of the lymph vessels. Its efficiency lies in its intricacy, preciseness and focus.
Estrid and Emil Vodder developed their technique during the 1930's and later worked with other lymphatic pioneers to develop a unique and highly effective treatment. The Dr Vodder method of MLD is the most extensively researched and widely taught manual drainage technique. Unlike regular massage, MLD does not increase the movement of fluids from the blood vessels into the tissues and therefore does not increase the tissue congestion. In fact research shows that MLD significantly reduces tissue congestion and oedema.
As well as being highly effective in the treatment of a broad range of acute and chronic conditions, MLD can be used as part of a health maintenance programme to assist the lymphatic system to remove metabolic wastes, excess water, toxins, bacteria, large protein molecules and foreign substances from the body tissues and generally aid the circulation of the lymph. MLD also assists the body to heal more rapidly from injuries, surgical trauma and chronic conditions.
The effects of MLD
Nervous System/calming
The light, slow rhythmic and repetitive movements act on the autonomic nervous system to reduce sympathetic activity, allowing the parasympathetic nervous system to function fully. This may assist in stress and sleep disorders.
Analgesic
Alternating light pressure acts on the mechanoreceptors(light touch receptors) which can subdue pain pathways. Because MLD is so gentle, it can be used without delay and may assist in pain reduction, reduced swelling and bruising. It accelerates and assists in the healing process.
Immune System
MLD supports the action of the immune system. The lymph system is the site of production of antibodies and lymphocyte reproduction. This component of the immune system is involved in destroying and removing pathogens and foreign cells. MLD can be used effectively for chronic inflammatory conditions where the immune system is depleted.
Tissue Drainage
Stretching the lymph vessels stimulates contraction in the smooth muscle in the walls of the vessels in doing so increasing lymph flow in the lymph vessels. As a result there is an increased removal of wastes and toxins from the tissues. MLD has an effect on the sympathetic nervous system in that it dilates the pre-capillary sphincter which increases blood flow through the capillary without increasing blood pressure of the tissues. The action of MLD in the sympathetic nervous system indirectly allows for increased digestion function.
Lymphoedema Care: Combined Decongestive Therapy and Compression Therapy
MLD is not only an effective part of total lymphoedema management but is also an excellent treatment
for general health care and may help reduce the risks of the development of secondary lymphoedema.
The main aim of this management regime is to bring the body back to as stable and normal a situation
as possible. Each treatment plan is tailored to the individual client. Please contact me for further details.
This approach to the management of lymphoedema consists of:
- Manual Lymph Drainage
- Compression Therapy
- Education
- Exercise
- Skin Care
Intensive Treatment Phase
Frequent MLD sessions with bandaging or compression system.
Exercise, self massage and skin care to be practised at home.
Maintenance Program
Wearing compression garments or the use of a compression system as prescribed.
Continuing exercise programme, self massage and skin care.
MLD sessions as required. MLD therapy and education may help in the risk reduction of the development of lymphoedema.
Low Level Laser
The aim of laser therapy is to administer light energy units in the form of photons to damaged cells. The general agreement is that the photons are absorbed by the cells through laser therapy stimulating the mitochondria to accelerate production of Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP). This biochemical reaction increases cell energy and is used to assist cells from a state of illness to a stable healthy state. Low level laser may help accelerate the body's immune response through which the body's own healing process is activated.
Kinesiology / Lymph Taping
Cure Tape is an elastic, hypoallergenic, adhesive, water resistant cotton tape. The thickness and weight of the tape are similar to that of the skin. The elasticity of the tape when applied to the skin creates a 'lifting and stretching effect' on the epidermis. As a result this action can effect circulatory action and lymph flow in the subcutaneous tissues where the vascular and lymph capillaries are located. The tape can assist in improving lymph flow and can support muscle repair activating the body's own natural healing process.
Cure Tape provides protection for the tissues, a supporting function, it allows full range of movement and as the tape can be worn for up to 4-7 days it gives the client a '24 hour treatment'. This results in faster recovery. Cure Tape can work well as an adjunctive therapy for managing lymphoedema, chronic swelling, inflammation, fibrosis, bruising, scars and physical injury.
Myofascial Release
Myofascial Release is a manual therapy that involves a gentle form of sustained pressure that stretches the fascia. It is based on the notion that poor posture, physical injuries, illness and emotional stress can result in the body becoming unbalanced and cause the fascia to become tight and constricted.
The therapy may produce a profound healing effect with the body tissues, assisting in pain relief and restoration of movement.
Craniosacral Therapy
Craniosacral Therapy is a relaxing gentle hands-on therapy that complements the body's natural healing process by gently working with the spine and the head and its cranial sutres, diaphragms and fascia.
This aids the movement of the cerebrospinal fluid through the spinal cord and assists restrictions of the nerve passages. In this process, tension can be released enhancing your body's own healing mechanism.
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