Manual Lymph Drainage Treatment
We are Manual Lymph Drainage Certified (MLD-C)
What is it?
Lymph is a bodily fluid that picks up debris in the body such as Cell Fragments, Bacteria, Viruses, Cancer Cells, Tattoo Ink, and other large particles that cannot be absorbed by blood capillaries.
The Lymphatic System can be considered the Waste Management of the body. It is found almost everywhere in the body and, when healthy, flows through various pathways to break down and destroy the materials is carries and be reabsorbed in the to blood to help maintain blood volume.
Lymph can be slowed and becomes stagnant due to different reasons. Some include:
-Tight Muscles
-Injury
-Surgery
-Medications
-Sedentary Lifestyle
-Repetitive Motions
-Pathogenic Substances (Smoke, chemicals, etc.)
-Some Environmental Exposures
-Different Pathologies (Fibromyalgia, Hashimotos, Lupus)
What affects Lymph Flow?
Pre- Surgery
Post- Surgical Care
Helps Minimize Scar Formation
Promote Rapid Healing
Edema
Post Lymph Node Removal
Metabolic Detox
Sinus Congestion
Arthritis
Tendonitis
Chronic Pain
Sprains/Strains
Headaches/ Migraines
Fibromyalgia
Hashimoto’s Disease
Lupus
Who can benefit?
It is VERY important to hydrate 2-3 days leading up to Lymph Drainage. We recommend a protein snack about 45 minutes prior to treatment, and another protein snack within 45 minutes of completing treatment.
Treatments can take from 60-90 minutes depending on the approach (manual or cups).
If you are not properly hydrated or are physically not prepared for treatment, it is at the providers discretion to refuse care.
Intra Oral Treatment
Intraoral treatment involves the application massage and muscular manipulation within the mouth, targeting specific muscles of the jaw and face. This technique is performed by a specifically trained massage therapist, using their hands to stimulate and release tension in the muscles surrounding the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), masseter muscles, and the soft tissues inside the cheeks and mouth. Intraoral treatment helps increase blood flow, relaxes tight muscles, and improves mobility, which can alleviate discomfort caused by conditions like:
TMJ disorders
Teeth grinding
Jaw clenching
Chronic Neck Pain
Migraines
Feeling of Ear Fullness
Chronic Sinusitis
The benefits of intraoral treatment are multifaceted, particularly for individuals experiencing chronic pain or tension in the facial and jaw areas, Migraines, Chronic Neck pain or tension, and more. It can help reduce muscle stiffness, decrease headaches, improve jaw function, neck mobility, and enhance overall facial comfort. Additionally, this specific technique can assist in stress reduction and relaxation, as it targets areas often affected by emotional tension. Intraoral treatment may also be beneficial for people with chronic facial pain, such as those with myofascial pain syndrome, providing relief and improving their quality of life.
What should I expect?
We have a solid understanding of TMJ dysfunction here at KHW, including its causes, symptoms, and the impact it can have on individuals. It is important to address TMJD issues and their connection to overall well-being. We start with a gentle face massage and warm towel, followed by intra-oral therapy, we focus on addressing muscular imbalances and tension within the mouth. The hyoid muscles are released, elongated, and rebalanced, promoting improved jaw function and overall comfort. Effective cervical spine mobilization and unwinding techniques are used to release tension in the neck muscles, allowing for improved jaw alignment and reduced strain. Additional jaw techniques are used to rebalance the jaw and release trigger points. Please ensure you are hydrated prior to this appointment. This appointment lasts UP TO 90 Minutes. Intraoral work can be uncomfortable depending on the severity of TMJD, this treatment is typically repeated every 7-10 days for 4-6 weeks for full treatment protocol.
Cupping
Therapeutic Cupping
Therapeutic Cupping has many benefits.
-Encourages circulation of blood and lymph
-Helps to clear stagnation, potentially releasing interstitial debris, and alleviate adhesions.
-Lifts, rehydrates, and manipulates fascia
-Causes Microtrauma in the tissues (this breaks up restrictions and scar tissue- is not damaging or bruising.
-Encourages Neovascularization and reduces inflammation
-Alleviates excessive pressure on he sensory organs in soft tissue, which leads to a reduction in discomfort.
Facial Cupping
Facial Cupping is a crowd favorite. Not only does it encourage the lifting of skin, it has therapeutic benefits as well.
-Helps alleviate sinus congestion and inflammation
-Improves circulation
-Alleviates lymph congestion
-Help relieve TMJD discomfort and headaches
-Can create a natural lift in skin
Cannot be performed within 30 days of a facial injection
Therapeutic Cupping Lymph Drainage
Cupping stimulates “flushing” throughout the body. This means waste and various residues can be released from the soft tissue where they get stuck. Cups stimulate the microcirculation process which leads to a greater uptake in lymph drainage. The negative pressure of cups can decompress previously obstructed pathways of lines of drainage.
TCLD is great a great choice in post surgical care and can be started as soon as 8 weeks after surgery.
TCLD can be incredibly beneficial for many conditions, but is not for everyone. Please call to discuss if this treatment is right for you!