Manual Lymphatic Massage
Description
Manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) is a type of massage that encourages the natural drainage of the lymph, which carries waste products away from the tissues back toward the heart. The lymph system depends on intrinsic pcontractions 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 light pressure and rhythmic circular movements to stimulate lymph flow. Contraindications to Receiving Treatment: *Acute infections or early onset inflammatory disease with fever. *Hemorrhage * Undiagnosed lump *Patients receiving chemotherapy or radiation must have OK from your physician to receive treatment. *If you are an active cancer patient, tumor must either be removed or under medical control. Physician must give OK for treatment. *If you have had lymph nodes removed, you must wait six months to treat any areas or have the OK from your physician. *Uncontrolled diabetes. ( 70 to 120 is normal blood sugar levels.) *Major cardiac problems, including acute angina pectoris, and coronary thrombosis (heart attack). Lymphatic techniques may increase the cardiac load. *Clients with cancer or any immune suppressing disease cannot receive treatment with platelet counts below 30,000. *Serious circulatory problems, such as thrombosis, embolism, or phlebitis.
