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Manual Lymphatic Drainage Information 

A brief history of MLD: Dr. Emil Vodder (MT, PhD art history)  and his wife Estrid successfully treated patients with colds and swollen lymph nodes. They intuitively stimulated lymph nodes and in the 1950s they moved to Paris to further develop his therapy and study the lymphatic system. Vodder expanded the work of Alexander von Winiwarter (Austrian-Belgian surgeon, who successfully treated elephantiastic limbs with elevation, compression and a special "massage" but his work was forgotten upon his death in 1917 until Vodder rediscovered it) calling it "Manual Lymph Drainage" MLD. He went on to introduce the technique to traditional MDs, labeling it "Universal Therapy" and referring to lymph as "healing fluid." Vodder claimed MLD to "cure" hair loss and obesity but he was dismissed as a "quack" by these traditional MDs. Emil Vodder trained Cosmeticians in Europe during the 1950s. Dr. Michael Foldi (vascular surgeon 1960s-1970s) heard about Vodder's success and met him to discuss techniques but they could not agree on indications for therapy. Foldi went on to create CDT (complete Decongestive Therapy) and to honor Vodder, he referred to the technique as the "Vodder Technique."

Manual Lymph Drainage should not be labeled as "Massage" (to knead). Massage is deep whereas MLD is superficial. The only commonality with massage is that MLD is done manually. 

What is MLD? It is a therapy 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 proteins and fluid into them, as well as help speed up lymph fluid flow through the lymphatics. 

What are the effects of MLD? * increase lymph production - * increase in the local sympathetic response(soothing effect) - * increase in the venous return - * analgesic(pain relief) - * improve the reabsorption and promotes drainage of fluid accumulated in the body - * removes waste products of cell metabolism . . .etc.

What are the indications of MLD? Fibromyalgia~ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome~ Migraines headaches~ Cellulite (lipedema, lipo-lymphedema)~ Post-traumatic( sunburns, incisions, hematomas, etc)~ Post-surgery~ Lymphedema~ Edema~ Chronic Venous Insufficiency~ Detoxification 

What are the general Absolute Contraindications? Acute Infections; Renal Failure; Acute Deep Vein Thrombosis; Acute Bronchitis; Cardiac Edema; Congestive Heart Failure

What are the general Relative (proceed with caution) Contraindications? Malignancies; Bronchial Asthma; Hypertension

What are Absolute Neck Contraindications? Cardiac Arrhythmia; Carotid-Sinus-Syndrome; Hyper/Hypo-thyroidism; History of a Stroke

What are the Relative Neck Contraindications? Age

What are the Absolute Abdominal Contraindications? Congestive Heart Failure; Pregnancy; Dysmenorrhea; Ileus; Diverticulosis; Diverticulitis; Aortic Aneurysm; Recent Abdominal Surgery; Inflammatory conditions of large/small intestines(ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease); Radiation Fibrosis/ Colitis/ Cystitis; Post DVT(abdominal area); unexplained pain

What are the Relative Contraindications? Age and Menstrual Period

Also note that you do not have to have any of these indicated aliments to receive Manual Lymphatic Drainage, you can be a healthy individual seeking overall detoxification of the body. 

Any further questions you may have, contact me at (717)658-6011 [text/call] and also consult your physician before scheduling to ensure you are able to receive MLD.

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