Manual Lymphatic Drainage


Original Editor - Chew Chee Boon Top Contributors - Chew Chee Boon, Lucinda hampton, Wendy Snyders, Admin, Candace Goh, Vidhu Sindwani, Kim Jackson, Joao Costa, WikiSysop and Rucha Gadgil


Description

Manual Lymph drainage (MLD), is a technique developed by the Vodders (Dr. Emil Vodder and his wife, Estrid) in 1936 in Paris for treatment of swollen lymph nodes.

Lymphatic diseases, especially lymphedema, represent a serious problem in the health community.

MLD is a light, skin-stretching massage that helps promote the movement of lymphatic fluid out of the swollen limb. It should not be confused with a traditional massage. MLD is specifically focused on the lymph vessels to help the flow of lymphatic fluid. Therapy is applied to your unaffected areas first, making it possible for the fluid to move out of the affected area, or “decongest” the region. MLD helps open the remaining functioning lymph collectors and move protein and fluid into them, as well as to help speed up lymph fluid flow through the lymphatics.

Deep breathing techniques called diaphragmatic breathing are usually done at the beginning and end of a therapy session to help open the deep lymphatic pathways. It’s not only relaxing, but it helps increase movement of fluid toward the heart.

Image: Overview of the lymphatic system

MLD:

• The intention behind MLD is to augment the rhythmic contractions and stimulate the lymph nodes to improve their activity in order to reroute stagnant lymphatic fluid.
• MLD is comprised of four main strokes: stationary circles, scoop technique, pump technique, and rotary technique.
• It is effective as a preventative and postoperative rehabilitation treatment.
• MLD is a a key component Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT). It shows optimal results when it is combined with the other CDT elements.
• MLD also increases blood flow in deep and superficial veins.
• MLD may be useful in conditions such as post-traumatic and post-surgical edema and palliative care.

Techniques

There are various techniques for MLD including the Vodder, Földi, Leduc or Casley-Smith methods.

MLD is recommended as a component of CDT, but is often used in combination with other treatments. MLD in isolation is effective but a combination of the parts of CDT is optimal. CDT has been shown to be effective in reducing lymphedema volume and improving quality of life patient mobility.  

It often takes many hours of training in MLD, combined with years of hands-on experience, for a lymphedema therapist to become truly skilled.

The most appropriate techniques, optimal frequency and indications for MLD, as well as the benefits of treatment, all remain to be clarified, but the different methods have several aspects in common, including the following :

• Usually performed with the patient in the lying position
• Starts and ends with deep diaphragmatic breathing
• The unaffected lymph nodes and region of the body are treated first
• Moves proximal to distal to drain the affected areas
• Slow and rhythmical movements 
• Uses gentle pressure - this is essential

The video below gives a very brief explanation of Manual Lymphatic Drainage

Different Approaches

• Vodder - Different kinds of hand motions are used on the skin depending on the part of the body being treated. It also includes edema movements at fibrotic areas. The different motions include "pump", "scoop", "stationery circle", "rotary" and "thumb circle".
• Foldi - Based on the Vodder technique, this method lays emphasis on a "thrust" and "relaxation" phase. 'Encircling strokes' are included in this approach.
• Casley-Smith - This method involves use of gentle and slow effleurage movements with the side of the hand. The effleurage movements are performed over the "watershed" areas between lymphotomes.
• Leduc - It involves use of "call up" (or enticing) and "reabsorption" movements which reflects how lymph is absorbed first in the initial lymphatics and then into larger lymphatics.

Indications

MLD is indicated in primary or secondary lymphedema in the following situations:

• When there is swelling at a limb's root
• When trunk and midline edema is present
• When comfort and pain relief is required but other therapies are no longer appropriate - palliative
• As an adjunct to pain management
• As a preventative treatment
• Chronic venous insufficiency

MLD may also be helpful in the below situations:

• It may be used as a complement treatment for patients with psychological stress.
• It (craniocervical MLD) may be effective for reducing intracranial pressure in people with severe cerebral diseases.

Contraindications

General contraindications:

• Acute cellulitis/erysipelas
• Severe cardiac insufficiency
• Hepatic cirrhosis with abdominal fluid (ascites)
• Unstable hypertension
• Renal failure
• Untreated tuberculosis or malaria
• Superior vena cava obstruction

Local contraindications:

• Untreated thyroid dysfunction
• Metastases
• Primary tumours

Principles of MLD

• The skin is stretched in specific directions using hand movements to promote variations in interstitial pressure without the use of oils.

• Slow repetitive movements are used which incorporate a resting phase to allow the skin to return to its normal position.

• The pressure is varied according to the underlying tissue with the aim to promote lymphatic drainage. The pressure however is softer than in traditional massage.

• Areas of fibrosclerosis are treated using deeper and firmer movements in combination with compression therapy.

• The lymphatic drainage starts centrally and proximally with treatments usually starting around the neck.

• Functional and healthy lymph nodes are treated first.

• There is emphasis on treatment of anterior and posterior trunk in the early phases before the swollen limb is treated.

• Breathing techniques are combined with pressure by the therapist's hands to promote drainage of deep abdominal lymph nodes and vessels.

• Limb mobilization and relaxation techniques are often combined with MLD.

Physiotherapist-administered MLD

Physiotherapy for patients with lymphedema can only be successful if the physiotherapist is specifically educated, trained and experienced in each method.

It is often given as part of Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT) which has two phases - phase I and II. MLD is performed in phase I and II, but phase II has more MLD. The two phases consist of the following:

Phase I

• MLD
• lymphological compression bandages
• remedial exercises
• physiotherapy where patients are struggling with mobility or joint mobility/function
• Education regarding self-management and skin care

Phase II

• MLD
• wearing of fitted compression stockings

Resources

• Browse videos on this page regarding techniques on Lymphedema management.
• Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) History