What Is Lymphatic Drainage Therapy and What Can It Help With?
Lymphatic drainage therapy has received increasing attention in recent years, from lymphedema treatment and cancer recovery to postoperative care and plastic surgery recovery. But what does lymphatic drainage actually do, and what does the latest research tell us about its benefits? The answer is more interesting than simply saying that lymphatic drainage “gets the lymph moving.” Researchers now understand that the lymphatic system plays important roles in fluid balance, immune function, inflammation, tissue health and waste clearance throughout the body. Research has also revealed lymphatic vessels associated with the brain that were not fully understood until relatively recently. At the same time, newer clinical research is helping doctors and therapists understand where manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) is most useful, where evidence remains limited, and how it fits into a larger…
