Manual Lymphatic Drainage in Southampton

PhysioCraft is offering manual lymphatic drainage in Southampton. This is a manual treatment usually given to treat the swelling, called lymphedema, due to several conditions, such as hormonal disbalance or acute traumas, sprains and strains.

About manual lymphatic drainage

In a normal individual, blood enters the body cells via arteries, and after supplying the body cells with oxygen and nutrients, it leaves via veins. In this process, some of the fluid entering the does not leave via veins and stays in between the cells. This fluid is called lymph, and should be normally transferred back to the heart via a system of vessels called the lymphatic system. If this system gets damaged for any reason, it results in excessive accumulation of lymph in the body, and the body gets swollen. This condition is called “Lymphedema.” Manual lymphatic drainage is used to address this condition.

Manual lymphatic drainage is also helpful after trauma or sports injuries. Several athletes experience internal wounds or bruises due to direct blows from a competitor or fall and may develop swelling. Manual lymphatic drainage should also be added to the treatment regimen for better recovery in these scenarios.

Lymphatic drainage procedure is focused on assisting the lymph flow in vessels and stimulate the lymphatic capliarries which are rerouting the stagnant lymphatic fluid. It is a specialized technique and should not be confused with a traditional massage.

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Manual Lymphatic Drainage treatment

Manual lymphatic drainage is usually performed while the patient is laying. The light, skin stretching kind-of massage technique is used to help draining the excessive lymph present in different body parts. It includes various stroke techniques are used in manual lymphatic drainage like stationary circles, scoop, pump, and rotatory techniques and deep breathing is performed before and after the session to open deep lymphatic vessels. The duration of the treatment depends on the stage of the lymphedema.

Manual Lymphatic Drainage Techniques

Different strapping and taping techniques are also used to manual lymphatic drainage. One of them is kinesiology taping or K-taping. These sticky tapes are applied by trained professionals or therapists at the lymphedema site. This tape lifts the skin during the movement and allows lymph to move towards other areas.

Manual lymphatic drainage is also combined with other therapies like compression therapy, manual exercise therapy, fascia mobilization. The effectiveness of manual lymphatic drainage is observed in many patients by taking circumferential measurements (known as the girth method) at different body sites with the help of a measuring tape. This reveals whether the size of affected part of the body is getting smaller or not.

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What is lymphedema?

Lymphoedema is a condition in which there is an accumulation of an excessive amount of lymph from the bloodstream, which goes through the capillaries to the extracellular space. The excess fluid produced is reabsorbed into circulation by the lymphatic vessels. Swelling occurs when lymph builds up between cells. Lymph stasis causes limb enlargement, changes in the skin, the formation of fibrosis and inflammation. The best and the only way to reduce swelling is to improve resorption, i.e. the absorption of this fluid back into the vessels and organs of the lymphatic system. In this case, manual lymphatic drainage, which we do in Physiocraft, works great.

The influence of lymphatic massage on the lymphatic system

Thanks to the use of lymphatic massage, the circulation of fluid in the vessels improves by increasing the pressing force, which has an impact on the greater flexibility of the lymphatic vessels. This improves lymph filtration in the lymph nodes, which helps to minimize lymph stasis. Its outflow is much better due to the increased negative pressure in the venous system.

Manual lymphatic drainage in Physiocraft

At Physiocraft, we offer mechanical lymphatic drainage, which is carried out by a qualified physiotherapist. Thanks to the extensive experience, commitment and passion of a specialist, you can be sure that you will be in good hands. Our therapist will select the best treatment methods, depending on the severity of the symptoms, response to massage and your individual needs. This will allow you to arrange an effective treatment therapy.