MANUAL LYMPHATIC DRAINAGE
Lymphatic Drainage Massage MLD Vodder Method
All you need to know about it
Manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) is a type of manual manipulation of the skin, not to be confused with massage, based on the hypothesis that it will encourage the natural drainage of the lymph, which carries waste products away from the tissues back toward the heart. The lymph system depends on intrinsic contractions of the smooth muscle cells in the walls of lymph vessels (peristalsis) and the movement of skeletal muscles to propel lymph through the vessels to lymph nodes and then to the lymph ducts, which return lymph to the cardiovascular system. Manual lymph drainage uses a specific amount of pressure (less than 9 oz per square inch or about 4 kPa), and rhythmic circular movements to stimulate lymph flow.
Manual lymphatic drainage was pioneered by the Danish doctors Emil Vodder and Estrid Vodder in the 1930s for the treatment of chronic sinusitis and other immune disorders. While working on the French Riviera treating patients with chronic colds, the Vodders noticed these patients had swollen lymph nodes. In 1932, when the lymphatic system was poorly understood, they developed light rhythmic hand movements, hoping to promote lymph movement. In 1936, they introduced this technique in Paris; following World War II, they returned to Copenhagen to teach other practitioners to use this therapy.
Ref: Wikipedia.
Emil Vodder was born in Copenhagen on February 20, 1896. After graduation from high school he studied drawing and art history and attended comparative language studies with 10 languages. Later he worked at the Royal Nautical Chart Archives for 6 years. As a hobby he studied singing techniques and cello. At the University of Copenhagen he took biology, mineralogy and botany which is where he began studying medicine, cytology and microscopy. Early during his studies he also became interested in physical medicine.
Emil had to interrupt his medical studies near the end of the 8th semester because he contracted malaria. After recuperation he was no longer admitted to finishing his medical studies.
In 1928, the University of Bruxelles conferred upon Emil Vodder the title “Dr. Phil” because of his thesis on Historical Art.
In 1929, he and his wife Estrid – a naturopath – moved to the French Riviera. In Cannes, Vodder, at an early age, had already become interested in exploring the lymphatic system. He knew many scientists who had studied the mysterious “clear water” centuries ago. He became familiar with their research by reading their papers such as one by ASELLI (1581–1626) who did anatomical research on dogs.
What does lymphatic drainage therapy involve?
Contrary to popular belief, MLD, or Manual Lymphatic Drainage, involves a trained person hands-on; even nowadays, people think that MLD stands for “Machine Lymphatic Drainage,” as often shown in social media.
The gentle, rhythmic, pumping massage movements follow the direction of lymph flow and produce rapid results.
The Dr Vodder method is an advanced manual technique that moves the skin over the underlying tissues using repetitive, circular, and spiral-shaped movements with a pressure increase (30 Torr), followed by a decrease in pressure leading to a pressure-less phase. This change in pressure creates a pumping effect, which encourages the flow of the lymph fluid and drains excess fluid out of the connective tissue.
The technique works with the skin, not on it. The direction of the increase in pressure and, respectively, the movement of the skin lies in the direction of the lymph flow.
As no oils are used, it is entirely safe, even for sensitive skin.
The Dr. Vodder technique always starts with the lymph nodes and vessels found at the neck and the junction of the large lymph channels in the venous arch on both sides of the body.
The strokes are performed evenly and rhythmically, inducing deep relaxation.
This gentle, non-invasive manual technique has a powerful effect on the body. Research in Australia, Europe, and North America has proven its efficacy as a stand-alone treatment in combination with other therapies.
Manual lymphatic drainage requires a trained massage therapist who has taken steps to become specialized and certified in the lymphatic system. Furthermore, post-surgery lymphatic drainage requires even more skills and study, provided as additional training. It is a specialty because we all agree it is not the same to massage a ballerina or sports person to help alleviate the swelling as a cancer patient or someone who has just had major surgery. They may all need lymphatic drainage, but the focus and targets differ entirely.
The approach to each case is different. Sadly, with the surge of cosmetic surgeries, the high demand for post-surgery lymphatic drainage has shown that many people are attempting to perform massages on post-op patients. Estheticians, nurses, and nurse assistants, amongst others, are making “massages” to patients after their surgery without the proper training and, unfortunately, outside their scope of practice.
They also provide other modalities, such as pressotherapy and lymphatic drainage machinery, with a wide variety of devices that claim effectiveness, and unfortunately, all they do is waste valuable recovery time.
Should I use MLD as a post-op treatment?
To make an informed decision, know the key differences:
MLD was created mainly to treat injured soldiers and alleviate swelling and pain. It is commonly used to treat patients with lymphedema, lipedema, oncology conditions, etc.
Post-op is focused on a person who’s undergone a major surgery. The types of conditions that are developed in the body after cosmetic surgery are far different from those that have controlled medical conditions. From the positioning to the wrapping, sequence, and frequency, the post-op is tailor-made for those needs.
While MLD could be used after cosmetic surgery, after a few days, the post-op is more effective.
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