Lymphatic Drainage Massage 
After a surgical procedure, you want nothing more than to return to health as quickly as possible. Yet recovery after surgery can be challenging. As your body begins the healing process, the discomfort and swelling can feel unbearable. Luckily, there are tools to help your body’s natural ability to heal. Correctly managing your post-surgical pain, for instance, will help you move more easily as you get out of bed and start down the road to recovery. It is important to always follow your surgeon’s post-surgical instructions closely, so you don’t do too much too quickly, however. Addressing excessive swelling can play an important role in post-surgical recovery as well. A specialized massage technique known as lymphatic drainage massage, or manual lymph drainage (MLD), is often recommended as a way to reduce post-surgical swelling, boost the body’s natural immune system, and speed the healing process. Read on for additional information about the lymph system and its role in post-surgical recovery to help you understand why your surgeon recommended lymphatic drainage massage as part of your post-surgical recovery plan.
The Lymph System and Recovery from Surgery
To understand how lymphatic drainage massage can help you recovery from surgery, it is important to have a basic understanding of the lymph system. The lymphatic system is a critical part of the immune system, which enables the body to fight disease and heal. It is composed of circulatory vessels, lymph nodes, and lymph. Lymph is a clear fluid that flows throughout the body in lymphatic vessels to clean toxins, viruses and bacteria, and damaged (or cancerous) tissue from the cells. It also serves to bring infection-fighting white blood cells and additional nourishment throughout the body.
As the lymph circulates throughout the body, it passes through lymph nodes which filter out harmful substances and help stimulate the creation of additional white blood cells. When the lymph system is damaged or blocked, lymph is unable to circulate freely. The lymph builds up and causes swelling.
Because many surgical procedures disrupt the lymph system, swelling due to the build-up of excess lymph is a common side effect. This is especially true when the surgery involves the removal of lymph nodes, such as mastectomy, or during abdominal surgeries such as liposuction or abdominoplasty (tummy tuck).
Why Manual Lymphatic Drainage is Important After Surgery
Manual lymphatic drainage is a specialized massage technique that uses gentle hand work to restore the proper flow of lymph through the lymphatic system. Manual lymphatic drainage can minimize post-surgical swelling due to the accumulation of lymph that results from disruption to the lymph system. Stimulating the proper flow of lymph can also boost the body’s immune response, help fight post-surgical infection, and even speed up the healing process.
Lymphatic drainage massage can help reduce post-surgical pain and stress, which can also aid in the recovery process. While manual lymphatic drainage may be recommended after many different types of surgery, it is especially important after cosmetic procedures such as liposuction and tummy tucks. If not treated effectively, post-surgical swelling can harden into unsightly lumps which can undermine the final results of the surgery.
Your surgeon may also recommend the use of compression garments, coupled with lymphatic drainage massage, to help the body heal into the proper shape. As with any medical procedure, it is important to follow your surgeon’s pre- and post-surgical instructions carefully to minimize the risk of post-surgical complications and to allow your body to heal as quickly as possible. If your surgeon has recommended manual lymphatic massage as part of your post-surgery recovery, plan ahead by researching qualified massage therapists in advance.
Manual lymphatic drainage is a specialized technique that should not be confused or substituted for other forms of massage. It should only be performed by a licensed massage therapist.
Contact Our Mobile Massage Clinic | The Villages, Florida
In Home or In Office Massages by Jacqueline in the Central Florida area. Certified for many different massages and treatments. Specializing in Manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) post surgery recovery massage.
To schedule an appointment with Licensed Massage Therapist and Certified Advanced Manual Lymphatic Drainage Therapist, Jacqueline Bosco CMLDT, Oncology, please call (813) 298-5603. We believe nothing is more important than human touch.
Providing massage services to patients in The Villages, Florida, Sumter County, Leesburg, Eustis, Mount Dora, Tavares, Lady Lake, Fruitland Park, Wildwood, Bushnell and surrounding areas.