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Manual lymphatic drainage

Manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) is a type of gentle massage which

is intended by proponents to encourage the natural circulation of the

lymph through the body. The lymph system depends on intrinsic

contractions of the smooth muscle cells in the walls of lymph vessels

(peristalsis) and the movement of skeletal muscles to propel lymph

through the vessels to lymph nodes and then beyond the lymph nodes

to the lymph ducts which return lymph to the cardiovascular system.

Manual lymph drainage uses a specific amount of pressure (less than

9 ounces per square inch) and rhythmic circular movements to

stimulate lymph flow.


Manual Lymphatic Drainage was pioneered by Dr. Emil Vodder in

the 1930s for the treatment of chronic sinusitis and other immune

disorders. While working on the French Riviera treating patients

with chronic colds, Dr Emil Vodder and his wife Dr. Estrid Vodder

noticed these patients had swollen lymph nodes. In the 1930s it was

considered taboo to tamper with the lymphatic system due to the

medical profession's poor understanding of this system. The Vodders

were not deterred by this, and in 1932 began to study the lymph

system, and developed careful hand movements to cause lymph

movement. In 1936 after four years of research they introduced

this technique in Paris France.


It is now recognized as a primary tool in lymphedema management.

Therapists can today receive certification through special classes

conducted by various organizations specializing in MLD. Scientific

studies show mixed results regarding the efficacy of the method in

treating lymphedema and further studies are needed.[2] In several

unique studies on animals has MLDT (Manual lymphatic drainage

treatment) been shown to increase lymph uptake and thoracic duct

flow, but the same evidence has not yet been shown for

human subjects.