Lymphatic Drainage Massage Initial Consultation - 90 mins

Feeling clogged, congested, stiff joints, bloated, or just generally blah...? 

Lymphatic Drainage could be the treatment for you!

Manual lymphatic drainage is a gentle massage technique that is used to stimulate and mobilise stagnated lymph flow in the body.  The techniques encourage the natural flow of the lymph in the cellular tissue back towards the heart and abdominal area for it to be processed and flushed out by the kidneys. It is predominantly used to treat lymphoedema and congested disorders like arthritis and slow healing wounds, however the techniques can also be used at the beginning and end of a therapeutic massage to assist in the flushing of lactic acid that has been stimulated during the massage and therefore minimize any post-massage aches and headaches. This is very useful when treating a post injury site, and why I include it in my Therapuetic massages.

The techniques used in lymphatic drainage massage encourage this natural flow of the lymph in the lymph capillaries, vessels, ducts and nodes back towards the heart and abdominal area for it to be processed and flushed out by the kidneys. The spleen, thymus and tonsils are lymphatic organs, and the breast is largely made up of lymphatic glands and vessels.

As an aromatherapist, I was trained in the Vodder Technique during my diploma studies, and it's beautiful, gentle and the addition of aromatherapy oils to finish off helps your lymphatic system to keep clearing and cleansing itself after your treatment session.  My Mum became a paraplegic in 2001, so I've been giving her sessions ever since, as well as providing treatment at Western Bays Hospice prior to her accident, so I've seen some amazing results over the years... pity we didn't have our mobile phone technology back then!

During your 90 minute session, I will take a full case history of what has been happening, and create an action protocol with you, as well as create your personalised aromatherapy blend that will be used in the session and go home with you afterwards.  The recommended physical treatment time for your initial session is 30mins as it can be a sudden shock to the system waking it up, and therefore we don't want to overstimulate it and make you feel ill for your drive away from my clinic.

Benefits of Lymphatic Drainage:

• Increasing the lymphatic capillary uptake - increasing the uptake of fluid between cells into the lymphatic system
• Increasing lymph-angio activity – the gentle skin-stretch massage strokes stimulate the lymphatic vessels just underneath the skin in order to help the fluid flow.
• Soothing, relaxing and pain-relieving effects
• Helps to redirect fluid from blocked areas into healthy lymph vessels
• Relaxation of the sympathetic nervous system
• Detoxification
• Decreases spasm in the muscles – tight muscles, disorders that cause muscles to spasm.
• Pain reducing effect

Contraindications

• Acute infections – cellulitis, viruses
• Uncontrolled congestive heart failure
• Deep vein thrombosis (blood clot)
• Chemotherapy

Pre- Treatment:

Prior to your session, it is recommended that you drink at least 250ml water so that you have less risk of having a headache afterwards.  If you are low on Vitamin C, please take 250mg Vit C the day before your session, and if possible eat brassicas (broccoli, cabbage, etc) along with protein to stimulate your system. 

Post Treatment:  

At the end of the treatment session, it is recommended that you drink a glass of water and take 250mg Vit C every hour for the next 6 hours to help minimize the side effects of headaches or migraine that can be triggered by the toxins being moved through your body at a faster pace than the body has been used to for a while.

Other side effects can include, and not be limited to:

• Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea,
• Low blood sugar levels (A protein-based breakfast on the day will help prevent this),
• Muscular aches and pains,
• Flu like symptoms,
• Rash, gout (a kidney cleanse is required if these happen),
• Asthma if normally triggered by humidity.

Homeopathic arnica can be taken as required.  A warm to hot bath can be taken after 3 hours of treatment if needed.