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A day in the life of an MLD Therapist ...(a WHAT therapist??)

Published Jul 31, 2008 by libby.callaway
[Talk about it]
Manual Lymphatic Drainage - not a job for a plumber, but a skilled therapist with a specialism in cancer care. Mary Goodfellow takes us through her day..

 

When I meet people for the first time and they ask me what I do and I say 'I'm an MLD Therapist', there is usually a pause, maybe a sharp intake of breath and a completely blank look!  So I amplify a little -'MLD is short for Manual Lymphatic Drainage'.  At this point, I usually need to reassure people that I am NOT a plumber!!

 

A typical day for me would be to see someone who has lymphoedema from a breast cancer operation; to see an octogenarian with oedema of the feet and legs; to see someone with long-term ME; to see someone with sinusitis............etc.

 

Your lymphatic system is a vital, but sometimes overlooked part of your body.  Lymphacites form in the soft tissues and move to 'collectors', from where the lymph moves up to the thoracic area and joins the blood stream.  So it is a one-way system.  Imagine - the rain falls from the sky and falls into the gutters, then goes down into the main sewers.  From there it moves in one direction up to the main reservoir, from where it is dispersed.  This is exactly what your lymphatic system does.  It takes away all the excess rubbish from your body that you inhale or ingest - fats, sugar, dust.  It also boosts your immune system - (a very useful treatment for ME).

 

Manual Lymphatic Drainage is a very specific technique developed originally to help people suffering with lymphoedema.  This is a swelling that arises because the lymph system is unable to work properly.  Changes in the skin and the surface tissues can result.  The lymph system is no longer able to drain away all the fluid and waste products that have built up in the tissues.  The swelling that develops is usually in an arm or leg, although it can affect more than one part of the body.  Sometimes the face, breast or genitals can be swollen. 

 

There may be a known reason why the lymph drainage channels become damaged or blocked.  When there is a known external reason for the failure it is called a secondary lymphoedema.  Sometimes the swelling can be cancer-related, but there can be non-cancer-related causes.

 

            

Non-cancer related causes of swelling

             accidental injury

             infection of the skin and tissues

             poor blood drainage through the veins

             inability to exercise or move the limb

 

Cancer-related causes of swelling

             cancer or cancer treatment, for example surgery to remove lymph nodes, or radiotherapy to the                    lymph nodes

 

Primary lymphoedema is diagnosed when there is no obvious cause. It may be a genetic problem - maybe the lymph vessels have not developed properly.  Some people are born without enough lymph vessels, whereas others have very large leaky vessels that do not work well.  It can affect men, women and children at any age and at any time.

 

MLD is a specific massage which helps the body to boost the healthy lymph node areas, while encouraging new pathways to develop from affected areas.  It is essentially a very light massage, as it is working on the movement of the skin, which helps the superficial system to move.  This flows just beneath the surface of the skin.  (Lymph relies on muscle power and movement to keep it flowing, unlike the blood, which has the heart to pump it round.) MLD IS FRONTLINE THERAPY FOR LYMPHOEDEMA - it will also reduce burning and inflammaton of the skin during and after radiotherapy.

 

 

Other pathologies which benefit from  MLD are:  ME, glandular fever, fluid retention. An effective beauty treatment.  Helps wounds to heal, and can reduce scar tissue.  Can improve many other chronic conditions - sinusitis, acne, psoriasis and other skin conditions.


 

 

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Comment by triciab, Jul 31, 2008 22:06

My brother in law suffers from frequent bouts of cellulitis and flare ups leave him very ill and sometimes needing hospitalisation with IV antibiotics. Could regular MLD prevent such flare up by keeping the lymph moving as it should or could it exacerbate a potential problem?  Tricia Blaxill

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