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MANUAL LYMPHATIC DRAINAGE

Specialised massage to assist the lymphatic system & reduce swelling.

​Manual Lymphatic Drainage massage (MLD) fast becoming one of the most popular forms of massage.  It is unusual in that the therapeutic touch is very light and seemingly insignificant but the results are dramatic and can be life changing.  Lymphatic drainage is probably best known in the medical/surgical world as it deals with swelling and pain management of post operative patients, but its ability to detox the body, boost healing and increase energy is now being noticed more than ever.

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Pre and post Surgery:  Lymphatic drainage should be performed by a specialist therapist, especially if it is being used to aid recovery after surgery.  With a previous career in nursing as well as being an experienced therapist, we have successfully taken care of many people post surgery including a vast variety of cosmetic work.  Using a blend of helpful techniques including MLD, Swedish massage and scar work, the end result is smooth and scar appearance is miniscule. More than basic training is required to treat patients who have had treatment for cancer and other serious medical interventions.

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Chronic fatigue and recovery from serious medical ailments:  Some of the challenges that MLD can help with are:

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  • Detoxing

  • Boosting immunity

  • Arthritis

  • Asthma

  • Eczema

  • Chronic fatigue

  • Fibromyalgia

  • ME

  • Sinus problems

  • Migraines

  • Headaches

  • Post surgery recovery

  • Pre and post flight swelling 

  • Premenstrual Syndrome

  • Long-Covid

 

Here at Karis Therapies we have seen dramatic improvement in sleep quality, energy levels, focus and movement for clients who have suffered with fluid retention, bowel challenges, chronic fatigue post viral infections, Long-Covid, preparing for long haul travel and reducing steroid puffiness.

 

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To book your first appointment with a consultation and treatment session press here:

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  • What is the lymphatic system?
    The Lymphatic system is the superhighway of your immune system. It does not get as much love in textbooks as the heart with it blood vessels because it is not as clear cut and obviously useful as the circulatory or nervous system. It does not have a giant central organ like your liver, but has hundreds of tiny ones called lymph nodes. But just like the your cardiovascular system, it does have a far-reaching network of vessels and its own special fluid. And without it, you would be equally dead as without a heart. Your network of lymphatic vessels is miles long and covers your entire body and partners in a way, with your blood vessels and blood. Blood carries resources, like oxygen to every cell of the body, some of the blood actually leaves the vessels and drains into your tissue and organs to deliver the goods directly to your cells. Most of that blood is reabsorbed, but some liquid stays behind. It is the lymphatic systems' responsibility to transport that remaining liquid back into circulation again. (See Phillipp Detmer's book Immune for more information)
  • How does MLD help?
    Your lymphatic system starts as a tight and complex network of capillaries spread throughout your tissues, they are vessels built like a series of one-way valves, water can enter them from the tissue but it cannot flow back. It can only travel in one direction. As this one-way system has no real heart, the water flows very slowly. The slow movement is made possible by negative pressure and by a very thin muscle layer that surrounds the vessels. Imagine an unsynchronised squeeze of a 1000 toothpast tubes all over your body, happening independently about once every 4-6minutes. The specialised massage movements of MLD speeds up that process by 20x, quickly clearing debris and excess fluid from the body. (For more reading see Philipp Dettmer - Immune).
  • Is MLD painful?
    No, light gentle massage is used to encourage the movement of lymph fluid from the body tissue into the lymphatic system which only requires a depth of no more than 3mm. Any deeper work would compromise the drainage of the tissue and therefore cause more harm than good.
  • How many sessions do I need?
    Everybody is different and some may feel better after one while others require more. From experience most people require 2-4 sessions to get the best results.
  • How often do I need to come in for treatments?
    For people with long-covid, glandular fever and other post viral challenges twice a week for a period of 2 weeks and then monthly. Post surgically the ideal treatment is twice weekly until the swelling has significantly decreased and does not return between sessions.

WHAT PEOPLE SAY

I have been seeing Viv for lymphatic drainage massage and I could not recommend her highly enough! Her expertise in the field is second to none! She has aided my recovery more than I could of hoped. 

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Laura - Paisley

Viv is an amazing therapist who has helped me with my long-covid through massage and lymphatic drainage. She is welcoming, caring and calm. I felt relaxed from the moment I entered the room. 

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Tamara - Newton Mearns 

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