Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD)

Because your lymphatic system deserves some love.

Your lymphatic system works quietly behind the scenes, clearing out waste, reducing swelling, and keeping your immune system on point. But if it gets sluggish (which happens way more often than you think), you might feel bloated, puffy, tired, or just off.

That’s where MLD comes in. It’s a gentle, rhythmic technique that helps your lymph flow better—so you feel lighter, clearer, and more balanced.

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What exactly does the lymphatic system do?

Think of it as your body’s drainage and detox system. It moves fluid around, clears out waste, and keeps inflammation in check. But unlike your heart (which has a pump), your lymph relies on movement and flow. When things get stagnant, you feel it.

How does MLD help me?

MLD is like a reset button—helping your body clear out excess fluid, reduce congestion, and get things moving again. It can help:

Reduce swelling & inflammation

Clear out waste & toxins from your body & brain

Release stored tension & tightness

Support your nervous system & immune function

It’s all about flow—inside and out.

MLD FAQS

MLD uses a rhythmic, light-touch technique that encourages your lymph to flow.

Most people leave feeling lighter, calmer, and more balanced.

Helping lymph flow is essential because the lymphatic system doesn’t have its own pump—it relies on movement, breath, and manual stimulation like lymphatic drainage to keep fluids circulating. When lymph becomes stagnant, toxins, waste, and excess fluid build up in the tissues, leading to inflammation, congestion, and a weakened immune response. This stagnant environment can contribute to chronic inflammation, sluggish detoxification, and an increased risk of illness.

By enhancing lymphatic flow, we create a cleaner, healthier internal environment where cells receive more oxygen and nutrients while waste is efficiently removed. This supports immune resilience, reduces swelling, and improves overall tissue hydration and elasticity. One session of manual lymphatic drainage can increase lymph flow by up to 20 times, keeping it elevated for up to 48 hours!

Lymphatic drainage supports immune health by enhancing the body’s ability to remove waste, toxins, and pathogens efficiently. The lymphatic system is a crucial part of the immune system, acting as a filtration network that traps and eliminates harmful substances, while circulating immune cells to areas where they are needed most.

By promoting lymphatic circulation, MLD can reduce inflammation, support detoxification, and improve overall immune function, making it beneficial for conditions like chronic inflammation, autoimmune disorders, and even brain fog.

Our cells are bathed in something called interstitial fluid and rely on this fluid to be clean and flowing to function at their best. This fluid is the lifeblood of cellular health—providing a medium for nutrient exchange, waste removal, and overall cellular function. But when lymph flow becomes stagnant, toxins and waste accumulate and dirty the waters. This “mucky” water leads to inflammation and disease. MLD gently stimulates the lymphatic system to uptake this fluid and get it moving, clearing out the waste and toxins that have built-up over time. This creates space for nutrients to flow freely, oxygenating and rejuvenating cells.

Many people do! Some notice a lighter, decongested feeling immediately. Others feel the benefits unfold over the next few days.

MLD isn’t about fat loss, but it can help reduce puffiness, water retention, and inflammation—so you might feel leaner and more sculpted.

Some people experience mild detox symptoms (like fatigue or a headache) as their body processes fluid shifts. It’s temporary and a sign that things are moving!

Absolute Contraindications:

  • Acute cellulitis/inflammation caused by bacteria or viruses
  • Fever
  • Untreated congestive heart failure (CHF)
  • Renal failure
  • Untreated acute deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
  • Brain shunt in place

Relative Contraindications (Technique will be modified or certain areas will be avoided)

  • Active cancer (MD approval required)
  • Renal dysfunction (MD approval required)
  • Cardiac arrhythmia – specifically AV block
  • Hypersensitive carotid sinus
  • Hyperthyroidism
  • Hx or risk of arteriosclerosis
  • Recent vaccination or chemo infusion
  • Pregnancy/menstruation 
  • Recent abdominal surgeries
  • Abdominal aortic aneurism (AAA)
  • Asthma

Ready to get things moving?

Let’s help your system flow better—so you can feel better.

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