Unlock the power of lymphatic circulation with our specialized Lymphatic Drainage treatment at Iriya Wellness & Aesthetics. Designed to detoxify, reduce swelling, and boost immunity, this gentle yet effective therapy promotes overall wellness and vitality. Experience the soothing touch of our skilled practitioners as they stimulate lymph flow, leaving you feeling rejuvenated and refreshed. Elevate your health and vitality with Lymphatic Drainage at Iriya Wellness & Aesthetics.
Lymph fluid is the clear liquid that flows through the lymphatic system, made up of lymph nodes, vessels, and lymphatic organs, and carries white blood cells throughout the body. Think of when someone gets a blister or sprains an ankle — the swelling is lymphatic fluid. The lymphatic system has two primary functions. One is filtration or getting rid of toxins, and the other is immune support, or transporting white blood cells.
Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) is a gentle, rhythmic technique that dramatically increases lymphangiomotoricity, which in layman’s terms means the rate of lymph flow.
Unlike our circulatory system which has the heart to pump things along, our lymphatic system has no such pump. Lymph moves naturally only via muscle contractions and deep belly breathing. On average, lymph flows at a very slow rate of 10-12 beats per minute, but MLD increases that tenfold to 100-120 beats per minute. This increase is particularly useful and most noticeable when it comes to swelling and bruising in instances of injury or surgery.
Ultimately, excess fluid leaves the body through the process of urination. The kidneys will be working overtime which is why it is critical to drink lots of water both before and after a session. Water is the transport mechanism for lymph. The more someone hydrates, the better their results will be.
The benefits are numerous. Lymphatic drainage reduces swelling and bruising after an injury, surgery, or cosmetic procedure, and reduces swelling due to lymphedema. It decreases excess water weight and water retention due to pregnancy. Many studies have shown great effectiveness in reducing the symptoms of several autoimmune diseases, including fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis.
It also reduces symptoms associated with certain skin conditions such as acne, psoriasis, eczema, and scleroderma, as well as helps prevent migraines, improves digestion, and minimizes stress.
It gives customers a “Lymph Lift” by helping to decrease the appearance of under-eye bags, puffiness under the chin, and excess water weight around the belly, ankles, and other areas. It also gives the immune system a boost. It is a good idea to clear out the lymph nodes, which collect all of the toxins and cellular debris they have filtered so that they can do their job to produce immune cells that will help fight off infection. Especially during cold and flu season, it is a good idea to come in for a lymphatic tune-up so the immune system is running at peak performance.
Basically, everyone can benefit from MLD, but as with anything, there are certain restrictions. People who have heart or kidney failure should not receive MLD, as well as those who suspect any blood clots, circulatory system dysfunctions or have an active infection or fever. When in doubt, always consult a physician. It’s also important to note that for those specifically with lymphedema, MLD is only one part of the therapy. MLD will decrease the swelling while medical-grade compression garments will maintain progress.
It depends on a person’s goals. If someone simply wants an immune system tune-up, once a month should get the job done. It is important to keep diet and exercise in mind, too. A clean diet and regular exercise will keep your lymphatic system humming along nicely.
If you recently had an operation and are experiencing a lot of swelling or bruising, the protocol should be every three to four days for a few weeks to keep the rate of drainage high and resolve the inflammation as fast as possible.
When someone just has a little excess swelling, not due to any underlying condition, they can simply come in as needed. Some people experience swelling that doesn’t go down after a flight, for example, or some women feel excess swelling around their menstrual cycles.
Whatever a person’s needs are, medical or non-medical, lymphatic drainage is definitely a wellness treatment to try due to its array of benefits.
