Our therapists use manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) massage to reduce swelling. Reduced swelling refers to a process where an area containing excess levels of fluid can be relieved and reduced. A reduction in swelling is achieved through stimulating the lymphatic system to drain and filter excess fluid. Our therapists use MLD massage to reduce swelling with people experience high levels of fluid retention such as that found following injury or post-surgery.
What is reduced swelling?
Swelling refers to an accumulation of fluid within one area. Swelling is usually observed within the upper and lower limbs. Swelling occurs due to damage or trauma, such as that experienced during injury or following surgery. Swelling can take minutes or hours to be visual following tissue damage. The application of manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) massage can reduce the volume of swelling by stimulating the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system's main function is lymphatic drainage with refers to a process of maintaining a fluid level balance within the body. Following injury or damage the lymphatic system can become overrun and perform poorly leading to the accumulation of swelling. MLD massage increases lymphatic circulation and the activity of lymph nodes. Lymph nodes are cells responsible for filtering lymph fluid and removing waste products.
What are the physiological effects of reduced swelling?
The application of manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) massage can produce a range of physiological effects. The physiological effects of MLD massage that stimulate a reduction in swelling includes;
ubThe physiological effects that reduce swelling following the application of MLD massage includes increased lymphatic drainage and the removal of waste products.
Increased lymphatic drainage helps to reduce swelling. Increased lymphatic drainage refers to the removal of excess fluid within the bodies tissues. An increase in lymphatic drainage is achieved by stimulating the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system has three components the lymph flow, lymph vessels and lymph nodes. Lymph flow refers to the fluid that travels within the lymphatic system and carries waste products and toxins out of the body's cells. Lymph vessels are channels that are found all over the human body and connect our cells to lymph nodes. Lymph nodes are small organs that aim to filter the lymph flow and expel waste products from the body. One of the main function of the lymphatic system is to reduce swelling. The application of MLD massage helps to stimulate and increase the efficiency of the lymphatic system.
Removal of waste products helps to reduce swelling. Swelling occurs following tissue damage as a result of injury or invasive surgery. Following tissue damage there is an accumulation of swelling and dead or damaged cells. For successful healing to take place the dead and damaged cells are removed from the injury site. The application of MLD can help remove waste products more efficiently from injury sites by increasing blood and lymph circulation.
When can a reduction in swelling help?
The presence of swelling can cause pain, restrict range of movement and reduced mobility. The therapists at massage.physio.co.uk use manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) massage to help reduce swelling during a range of circumstances such as;
- Post-injury
- Post-surgery
- Pregnancy
A reduction in swelling can be beneficial following injury, surgery or during pregnancy.
A reduction in swelling can be beneficial post-injury. Following injury an individual can experience an increase in swelling. Swelling is a natural process in the initial phases of healing and can help protect and prepare the injury site for repair. Prolonged periods of high levels of swelling can be painful and restrictive. Our therapists use MLD massage to reduce pain, improve range of movement and reduce swelling post-injury.
A reduction in swelling can be beneficial following an invasive surgical procedure. Post-surgery an individual can experience a sudden increase in swelling due to the damaged caused through invasive surgery. The therapists at massage.physio.co.uk have extensive exsperience in working with individuals following surgical procedures especially post-cosmetic surgery. Our massage therapists use MLD massage as a treatment modality post-surgery to reduce pain, promote healing and reduce swelling.
During pregnancy the application of MLD massage can be extremely beneficial. During pregnancy the body hold excessive amounts of fluid to protect and nurture the baby. Due to the effects of gravity excess fluids can pool around the ankles causing pain and limited range of movement. Our therapist use MLD massage to treat women during pregnancy to reduce swelling around the ankles, pain and improve range of movement.
Summary
The application of manual lymphatic drainage massage can produce a number of benefits, one of them being reduced swelling. The application of manual lymphatic drainage masage can help increase lymphatic drainage and increase the removal of waste products on a cellular level. Certain situations where a reduction in swelling can be beneficial includes post-injury, post-surgery or during pregnancy.
How can I arrange a manual lymphatic drainage massage?
The easiest way to arrange a manual lymphatic drainage massage at Massage.Physio.co.uk is to email us at office@physio.co.uk or call us on 0800 033 7800.
You can also book an appointment online and save £10
