Manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) is a type of manual manipulation of the skin, not to be confused with
massage
Massage is the rubbing or kneading of the body's soft tissues. Massage techniques are commonly applied with hands, fingers, elbows, knees, forearms, feet, or a device. The purpose of massage is generally for the treatment of body stress or pa ...
, based on the hypothesis that it will encourage the natural drainage of the
lymph
Lymph () is the fluid that flows through the lymphatic system, a system composed of lymph vessels (channels) and intervening lymph nodes whose function, like the venous system, is to return fluid from the tissues to be recirculated. At the ori ...
, which carries waste products away from the tissues back toward the heart. The
lymph system depends on intrinsic contractions of the smooth muscle cells in the walls of
lymph vessels (
peristalsis
Peristalsis ( , ) is a type of intestinal motility, characterized by symmetry in biology#Radial symmetry, radially symmetrical contraction and relaxation of muscles that propagate in a wave down a tube, in an wikt:anterograde, anterograde dir ...
) and the movement of
skeletal muscle
Skeletal muscle (commonly referred to as muscle) is one of the three types of vertebrate muscle tissue, the others being cardiac muscle and smooth muscle. They are part of the somatic nervous system, voluntary muscular system and typically are a ...
s to propel lymph through the vessels to
lymph node
A lymph node, or lymph gland, is a kidney-shaped organ of the lymphatic system and the adaptive immune system. A large number of lymph nodes are linked throughout the body by the lymphatic vessels. They are major sites of lymphocytes that includ ...
s and then to the
lymph ducts, which return lymph to the
cardiovascular system
In vertebrates, the circulatory system is a system of organs that includes the heart, blood vessels, and blood which is circulated throughout the body. It includes the cardiovascular system, or vascular system, that consists of the heart a ...
. Manual lymph drainage uses a specific amount of pressure (less than 9oz per square inch or about 4
kPa
The pascal (symbol: Pa) is the unit of pressure in the International System of Units (SI). It is also used to quantify internal pressure, stress, Young's modulus, and ultimate tensile strength. The unit, named after Blaise Pascal, is an SI ...
), and rhythmic circular movements to stimulate lymph flow.
Medical use
Studies show mixed results regarding the efficacy of the method in treating
lymphedema
Lymphedema, also known as lymphoedema and lymphatic edema, is a condition of localized edema, swelling caused by a compromised lymphatic system. The lymphatic system functions as a critical portion of the body's immune system and returns inters ...
, and further studies are needed. A 2013 systematic review of manual lymphatic drainage with regard to
breast cancer
Breast cancer is a cancer that develops from breast tissue. Signs of breast cancer may include a Breast lump, lump in the breast, a change in breast shape, dimpling of the skin, Milk-rejection sign, milk rejection, fluid coming from the nipp ...
–related lymphedema found no clear support for the effectiveness of the intervention in either preventing limb edema in at-risk women or treating women for the condition.
History
Manual lymphatic drainage was pioneered by the Danish doctors
Emil Vodder and Estrid Vodder in the 1930s
for the treatment of chronic
sinusitis
Sinusitis, also known as rhinosinusitis, is an inflammation of the mucous membranes that line the sinuses resulting in symptoms that may include production of thick nasal mucus, nasal congestion, facial congestion, facial pain, facial pressure ...
and other immune disorders. While working on the
French Riviera treating patients with chronic colds, the Vodders noticed these patients had
swollen lymph nodes. In 1932, at a time when the lymphatic system was poorly understood, they began to develop light rhythmic hand movements hoping to promote lymph movement. In 1936, they introduced this technique in Paris; following World WarII, they returned to Copenhagen to teach other practitioners to use this therapy.
See also
*
Lymphotherapy
References
External links
Explanation of Manual lymphedema therapyon
National Cancer Institute
The National Cancer Institute (NCI) coordinates the United States National Cancer Program and is part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which is one of eleven agencies that are part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. ...
.
{{DEFAULTSORT:Manual Lymphatic Drainage
Alternative medical systems
Massage therapy