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Sylvia Lopez CMT, CMLDT

Lymphatic Drainage by Sylvia Lopez

Lymphatic Drainage Services

Conditions that could benefit from receiving Lymphatic Drainage – MLD

Cosmetic Surgery

Lymphatic therapy provides non-invasive and natural pain relief after liposuction, tummy tucks, face lift, BBL, breast reduction or implant surgery.

Pre-Surgery Benefits Of MLD
  • Detoxifies / clears the tissues
  • Reduces anxiety and stress 
  • Prepares the tissues for surgery by draining excess fluids from the cells
  • Stimulates the immune system
Post-Surgery Benefits of MLD
  • Decreases pain and inflammation
  • Reduces swelling and bruising
  • Softens scar tissue
  • Speeds up healing
  • Promotes relaxation

** it is advisable to have between 4 to 8 sessions for maximum results.

Treat Autoimmune Diseases

It makes sense to receive MLD/Lymphatic massage to boost your immune system, thereby helping your body AND your brain to stay healthy!

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?
The lymphatic system is responsible for destroying viruses, bacteria, cancer cells, toxins, cellular debris, and foreign substances in the body.

Lymph fluids contain T-cells, the so called “killer cells”, plus a variety of lymphocytes/white blood cells that make up an important part of our defense system. They circulate once every 24 hours through our body, picking up and destroying viruses, bacteria, cancer cells, toxins, cellular debris, and foreign substances in the body. HOWEVER, Manual Lymph Drainage (MLD) can speed this up to 15 times as fast.

Lymphedema

An accumulation of fluids, proteins and fat due to a dysfunction or damage in the lymphatic system.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?
The most common causes for lymphedema are damage from lymphadenectomy (surgical removal of lymph nodes), usually due to cancer treatment, radiation, compression of the lymphatic vessels or lymph nodes due to tumor invasion.
Sometimes other, non-cancer related, reasons like severe trauma to the area, severe burns, or certain vascular surgeries like vein stripping or radiofrequency ablation (an electrical current produced by a radio wave is used to heat up a defective vein, effectively closing it) may cause damage to the lymphatic system.

Detoxifying

Enhance your health and support the removal of toxins from your body.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?
This technique helps to move fluids through the body by stimulating the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is the body’s natural filtering and cleansing system that works in parallel with the venous portion of the circulatory system. When these sytems work in unison, fluid retention is minimized and blood “cleansing” is optimized. Lymphatic Drainage Therapy is beneficial for many health conditions such as detoxification from Lymes Disease and can support the removal of residual medications such as steroids (Prednisone), various antibiotics, antidepressants and others from the body after the course of treatment has concluded.

Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD)

COST

50 Minute MLD $160
80 Minute MLD $215

WHAT IS LYMPHATIC SYSTEM?

The Lymphatic System consists of vessels, ducts and nodes and is closely connected to the cardiovascular system. It is often referred to as an ”internal cleaning system for the whole body”. It is vital for the maintenance of human life because if it fails to function correctly, excessive fluids and toxins build up causing the body pain, loss of energy, infection and disease. During the complex transportation process, the lymph fluid is cleaned, concentrated and filtered by one of the 600-700 lymph nodes located around the body. They also produce a certain type of white blood cell, namely lymphocytes, which is why the lymphatic system is vital to immunity.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?

Designed by Dr’s Emil and Estrid Vodder in Europe, MLD can improve and facilitate the movement of lymphatic fluid from the body’s tissues into the lymphatic vessels, soothe and calm the nervous system, as well as provide pain relief.

CONDITIONS THAT COULD BENEFIT:
  • Fluid Retention
  • Edema resulting from sprains, muscle & sports injuries
  • Arthritis
  • Myalgic Encephalomyelitis
  • Multiple Sclerosis
  • Sinusitis
  • Fatigue
  • Cellulite
  • Aches and pains
  • Headaches
  • Tension and Stress
  • Digestive problems
  • Post Surgery
WHAT IS LYMPHATIC DRAINAGE MASSAGE?

MLD is a gentle and rhythmic massage that mimics the movement patterns of the lymphatic system. MLD uses a specific rhythm and pressure to direct and move initial lymphatics and stimulate vessel contraction to reduce edema. MLD is a gentle massage approach that stimulates the flow of lymph and interstitial fluid using a rhythmic pumping technique to stimulate flow in the direction the fluid should be moving.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there any side effects associated with MLD?
There are no known side effects of MLD. Some people report feeling tired after a session so I always recommend that clients allow themselves time to relax afterwards.
How do I know if my lymphatic system is clogged?
If the Lymphatic system is working efficiently, we generally feel healthy. Tiredness, constant fatigue, bouts of colds and infections could mean that our lymphatic system is weak and struggling to function to its optimum capability. A congested lymphatic system, resulting from the metabolic waste materials inability to be removed, can also prevent new healthy nutrients, that are vital to the human cell’s very existence, nourish the cells in our body.
Is MLD painful?

Lymphatic drainage or lymphatic massage is a very gentle, hands on technique and should not be uncomfortable.

Will MLD physically push fluid out of my body?

NO. It's alarming that I've heard a number of people say they've had "lymphatic drainage" performed while standing with someone physically pushing fluid out of their incisions. Not only is this medically dangerous, but it's out of the scope of practice for massage therapy, and more than that, is NOT ACTUAL LYMPHATIC DRAINAGE.

Can MLD help get rid of bruising?

Yes. Bruises are an accumulation of cellular debris and old red blood cells in the tissue. MLD significantly reduces healing time for bruises by cleansing the extracellular spaces where these substances are trapped.

How do I find the right manual lymph drainage therapist for me?

Manual lymph drainage is a form of manual therapy. The strokes performed are very specific and have to follow the anatomy of the lymphatic system. Lymph drainage based on the teachings of Dr.Vodder have been proven the most effective and are recognized in the medical community all over the world. Your therapist should have attended a school who teaches this method and holds regularly review classes for their graduates for stroke reviews and sharing of the newest knowledge in the field of lymphatic studies.

I have never heard of lymphatic drainage massage. Where did it originate?

The original method of lymphatic drainage massage (also known as manual lymph drainage or MLD) was developed by Dr. Emil Vodder and his wife in the 1930s, in Europe. MLD is very popular in Europe, especially Germany. Other types of lymphatic drainage massage have also gained popularity since that time.

What Happens during a MLD treatment?

The session begins, in a private and warm room, with taking details of your medical history and the reason for your visit. You will be asked to lie down on a therapist table and appropriate covering will be placed over you—to ensure complete modesty and comfort.

The treatment commences at the neck to clear the area and “make space” for lymph fluid to be drawn there, and subsequently processed through the lymphatic duct, for re-entry into the circulatory system.

The next part of the sequence will depend entirely on the particular needs of the individual. Your practitioner will assess your lymphatic circulation and determine the best pathways for draining lymphatic stagnation for your individual needs.

Depending on the treatment, the session will last 50-80 minutes.

MLD is NOT a form of massage.

More About MLD at American Massage Therapy Association

Testimonials

Cristina L.
I was referred to Sylvia by my doctor’s office. I honestly wasn’t sure what to expect, they explained it to me and I did some Google searching which only made me more nervous. I advise not to do that.

I was nervous and hesitant because my body ached and skin sore to the touch. I couldn’t imagine receiving a massage no matter if it was good for me or not.

I sucked it up and contacted Sylvia. She texted me to schedule a call later in the day after her last client. We spoke, she asked me about my current physical situation, other related questions and talked pricing.

After speaking with her, she explained her process and put my mind at ease. She explained the benefits and why doctor’s recommend having it done. She started to end the conversation and to let her know when I am ready to schedule. She wasn’t pushy, or salesy. She was direct and honest. WAIT! I want to schedule!!!

Ok so appointment time! I walked into a nice office building in La Jolla. It’s the building to the left of mobile gas station across Rock Bottom restaurant. When you walk into her suite you step into a small waiting room with a place to sit and a clipboard with a form to sign. I didn’t wait, she greeted me right away and had me step into the back.

The massage room was large. The atmosphere was soothing and very relaxing. I sat down so we can chat about expectations and process. She stepped out to prep and so I can get ready and I got on the warm table and lay under the blanket.

The massage was OH MY GOODNESS AMAZING!!!! I think she has magical fingers with electricity coming off like in the movies with nanites who heal you internally. Seriously, she is great and her technique works. You do need to relax your body and have an open mind. When you set expectations too high, you may be disappointed. The touch is very light but it is effective. It’s like her hands become one with your body and your body directs her hands to work their magic. In then middle of my massage, my body let out this huge jolt. It was satisfying like all the negative juju exited my body and a warm feeling came over me.

In the end, I am so happy my doctor’s office found her card (it was misplaced and took 20 mins to locate) otherwise I would have missed this opportunity. If you need lymphatic massage then stop searching you’ve found the perfect place. Sylvia’s professionalism, process and technique make her the real deal! She is amazing and you won’t regret choosing her for your healing journey.