Lymphatic Drainage Massage

The signature treatment at The Healing Centre' in the Santa Rosa Beach & Destin FL area is Manual Lymphatic Drainage, a longtime specialty of clinic owner and operator Donna Lewallen. Lymphatic Drainage has been successfully used in a variety of contexts, including: Clearing areas of congestion such as swollen ankles and legs; Reducing water retention; Promoting scar-tissue healing and regeneration; Detoxifying the body (for this reason it is an excellent complement to cellulite treatments); Clearing up skin problems (acne, rosacea, eczema, wrinkles, puffiness under eyes); Providing relief from chronic pain, including chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, neuralgia, arthritis, migraine headaches, etc.; Promoting deep relaxation to aid insomnia, stress, loss of vitality and loss of memory. Because of the nature of the treatment (light rhythmical motions that encourage detoxification via the lymph system), MLD patients feel a total sense of deep relaxation not normally attained with massage.

Lymphatic drainage massage aids in the flow of lymph, a fluid in the body responsible for boosting the immune system and promoting general health. Lymphatic massage can perform a number of services on your body, such as reduction in swelling, boosting your immune system and producing white blood cells. Therefore, there are certain benefits to receiving lymphatic massages during certain times or for certain conditions. Lymphatic massage (also known as manual lymphatic drainage or lymph drainage therapy) helps the body with the flow of lymph, a fluid within the body that is vital the immune system because it aids in flushing out toxins and other foreign substances, such as viruses. It accomplishes this by traveling all over the body through the lymphatic system. As it detects toxins of foreign substances in your body, it produces white blood cells to help fight off the infections. Over time, the lymphatic system can become blocked or sluggish, and since it does not have a central portion of the system that promotes the flow of lymph, such as the heart does for the circulatory system, a lymphatic massage can help jump start the lymphatic system when it becomes sluggish. Your lymph system is like your sewage system. MLD is very light, rhythmic, & soothing. If you're use to deep tissue, you will have a hard time adjusting to MLD. Lymphatic massage is a powerful, natural, and effective way to flush lymphatic fluid out of the body. One of the interesting things about this technique is that while it is extremely powerful, when it is performed correctly it actually feels incredibly gentle and relaxing. Unlike blood vessels which are cylindrical, lymph vessels are somewhat flat. Therefore, if the therapist presses too hard, it will flatten the vessels and the fluid will not move enough to "drain". Performing an effective lymphatic drainage massage requires special knowledge, training and experience. The therapist must understand how the lymphatic system works, both anatomically and physiologically, in order to move the fluid effectively. Make sure your therapist is certified and skilled in lymphatic drainage because some may claim they do lymphatic drainage but do not. Receiving an lymphatic drainage massage from an inexperienced therapist is useless. For more information, click:

Manual Lymphatic Drainage is also a necessary complement for plastic surgery procedures, including: liposuction, breast augmentation, breast reduction, mastectomy, breast reconstruction, rhytidectomy (facelift), forehead and eyebrow lifts, blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery), rhinoplasty (nose job), abdominoplasty (tummy tuck), and fat injections (e.g. Brazilian butt lift), both on a pre- and post-op basis. For more information about Post-Operative Lymphatic Drainage, click link above link.

Advantages of Regular Lymphatic Drainage Massage:

•Excellent for the reducing swelling by aiding in the removal of blockages in your lymphatic system. This enables lymph easier access to flow through your body.

• Stimulates the immune system and encourages the production of additional white blood cells (lymphocytes) whenever infection or sickness is detected.

• Enhances skin quality by allowing skin cells an adequate flow of lymph to give them a healthy glow.

• Can help speed up the recovery process by keeping tissue healthy during injury.

Disadvantages of Lymphatic Massage:

•can help spread infection if one is given while the patient has an infection.

• Tumors should not be directly massaged. Physician approval is required.

• For those with clotting or heart condition, a lymphatic massage could make those conditions worse.

For these reasons, it’s always important to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of a lymphatic drainage massage with your health care professional.

Flu Season: Since a lymphatic massage helps to increase the flow of lymph, it helps your body pick up toxins and wastes. When lymph detects a virus or infection, it produces white blood cells to help fight off the infection. Getting a lymphatic massage prior to flu season can help give your immune system a boost to keep you healthy.

Surgery: Used before a surgery, a lymphatic massage can ensure that the lymphatic system is cleared of blockages or swelling. Lymphatic massages can also help after surgery as well, by reducing swelling that occurs.

During Pregnancy: Breast lymphatic massage can help reduce the aches & pains due to changes of the breast tissue that occurs during pregnancy. Nursing mothers, as well, can benefit from this aspect of a lymphatic massage.

Lymphedema: a condition of the lymph nodes that can occur after surgery or in the presence of cancer. It is often a problem for women who have had a mastectomy although this is not the only case that can cause it. This condition can be quite painful, but lymphatic massage has been known to ease it by reducing edema.

Enhances Skin Quality: When skin cells receive a proper amount of lymph, it gives them a healthy glow. Lymphatic massage is often given as part of a facial to give your face a healthy glow.

Sports Injuries: Lymphatic massage helps clear out debris and reduce swelling that occurs from a deep tissue massage. In addition, by receiving multiple lymphatic massages over your recovery, it can speed up the recovery process by keeping tissue at its healthiest.

Reduction of Scar Tissue: Lymphatic massages can reduce your scarring by increasing lymph flow to the scarred area. More lymph flow means more healing and less toxins.

Fibromylgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Lymphatic massage is light and gentle and comfortable for people with chronic pain, such as fibromyalgia. Since better lymph flow encourages stronger health, lymphatic massage can ease patients with these conditions.

Sinus conditions: Lymphatic Drainage helps clear fluid out of sinus cavity.

•Detoxifies the lymphatic system by removing toxins and other foreign substances from your body and by stimulating the fluids in your body that help flush these toxins from your system.