The theory behind Lymphatic Drainage

The lymphatic system is a one-way system; divided into two adjoining circuits. One collects

waste from both legs, abdomen, left thorax, left arm, and left side of the head, face and

neck.

The other from the small right thoracic region, right arm, right side of the head, face and

neck.

This whole system with up to 1,000 nodes (with between

300 and 500 in the abdomen) and millions of vessels relies on pressure changes

and contractions to pump it along. Blood on the other hand has capillaries, arteries and

veins and travels around in a circular route, pumped regularly by the beating heart.

And we need to manually pump the lymphatic system because the more the lymphatic system can clean us, the healthier inside our body becomes!

What is Lymphatic Drainage?

Lymph drainage massage is a gentle, rhythmic style of massage that uses precise rhythm

and pressure to open the initial lymphatics and stimulate lymph vessel contraction to

reduce edema.

History of Lymphatic Drainage

MLD originated in the 1930s when the Danish husband and wife team of Emil and Estrid

Vodder developed the strokes and sequence of what they called Lymphology. It caught on

quickly in France and became a recommended treatment in the medical community for

lymphedema resulting from chemotherapy and radiation for cancer.