Manual Lymphatic Drainage
Promoting the flow of lymph fluids around the body
About Manual Lymphatic Drainage
Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) is a non-invasive gentle massage technique in certain areas of the body, with the primary goal of promoting the flow of the lymph in the lymphatic system. This technique involves a light-pressure and rhythmic movement that stimulates the release of the lymphatic fluid from the body tissues and promotes the absorption of the fluid by the lymph nodes.
Legacies Registered Massage Therapist (RMT) have proper certification to perform the Manual Lymphatic Drainage, and to assess if this treatment is recommended for you. Currently, this service is offered at Legacies Southpoint location.
Our Manual Lymphatic Drainage service includes:
- 90-min Initial Assessment: Your RMT will assess, gives insight, introduces care plan and treatment options, and perform a hands-on therapy
- 60/90/120-minute Subsequent Appointment: re-assessment and treatment
Learn more about the Lymphatic System.
Benefits of MLD
If Manual Lymphatic Drainage is recommended for you, it will:
Improves lymphatic drainage
Reduces edema/swelling
Reduces pain
Improves the skin condition in the affected area
Increases venous flow
Promotes healing
Alleviates inflammation
Is Manual Lymphatic Drainage recommended for me?
Any of the below conditions are often benefited by MLD:
- Lymphedema
- Traumatic and repetitive strain injuries
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Fibromyalgia
- Post cancer surgery (i.e. breast cancer surgery)
- Post cosmetic surgery
- Pre and post knee replacement surgery (joint replacement)
- Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI)
- Pre and post-natal care
- Breast and breast implant care
- Liposuction
- Lipedema
- Chronic fatigue
- Cellulite
- Burns
- Psoriasis
- Post-fracture
- Neuralgia
- Chronic Sinusitis
Manual Lymphatic Drainage is not recommended for individuals with:
- Current infections
- History blood clots
- Kidney failure
- Congestive heart failure
- Active cancer without patient’s oncologist consent
If you are unsure if this service is for you, contact us.
Lymphatic Drainage Products
Manual Lymphatic Drainage and compression products go hand in hand! Your RMT / MLD therapist can recommend what works best with your condition i.e. socks, sleeves, bra, compression garments. Legacies have these products available for sale. Speak with your RMT.
Is MLD covered in my Extended Health Insurance?
MLD is performed by a Registered Massage Therapy and covered under ‘Massage Therapy’ in your insurance plan. To verify your own coverage, contact your Extended Health provider. If you have coverage, Legacies may be able to do direct billing to most Extended Health Providers (see list). If we cannot directly bill your provider, Legacies will issue a medical receipt, so you can request reimbursement directly from your insurance provider.
What’s the Lymphatic System and how does it work?
The Lymphatic System is part of the immune system and complimentary to the circulatory system. The lymphatic system pumps lymph, through lymphatic vessels, lymph nodes, organs and tissues. Lymph is a fluid mix of water, protein, cellular waste and immune system elements. The lymphatic system continuously filters the lymph for viruses, bacteria, cancerous cells, cell waste, and foreign particles.
The circulatory system brings blood (with oxygen, nutrients and defense cells) to organs and tissues. Then, the lymphatic system collects and drains the lymph fluid (with toxins and cellular waste) from the organs and tissues, and return them to the bloodstream, through the lymphatic system.
Normally, the lymph fluid moves with body movement and muscles contractions, but some conditions and illness (such as infections, surgery, injury, genetic disorders, illness, body stagnation, etc.) may prevent or block the flow of the lymph, causing pain and swelling. When the tissues are swollen for a prolonged period, symptoms consist of fatigue, skin discoloration, tissue inflammation or swelling, heavy limbs, weakness and recurring infections (ex. Sinusitis).
The primary functions of the lymphatic system are:
- Managing and maintaining body fluid levels and proper circulation
- Remove toxins and cellular waste from the circulatory system
- Defend the body from ‘invasions’ (bacteria, virus, cancer cells etc.)
Why Choose Manual Lymphatic Drainage at Legacies Health Centre?
Why Choose Manual Lymphatic Drainage at Legacies Health Centre?
Our Team treats a wide range of injuries and conditions in our state-of-the-art health centres. Each clinic features private treatment rooms and the latest in therapy, exercise equipment and treatment techniques.
- Experienced and knowledgeable team of clinicians
- Wide range of treatment and services under the same roof
- Convenient locations across the Lower Mainland
- Free Parking
Direct Billing available to most services and providers (see list)
What To Expect
Before Your Appointment
If you are coming in to aid in healing after surgery or cancer treatment, please bring as much information about your treatment and health care as possible. This will help us make informed decisions about your treatment plan.
If you are currently experiencing an active cancer, prior to booking your MLD appointment, schedule a consultation with your Oncologist to obtain referral and permission for MLD treatment.
If you notice any symptoms of a cold please contact us to reschedule your appointment.
Initial Assessment
Legacies RMT specialized and certified for Manual Lymphatic drainage will assess you and obtain information from your medical history. Your therapist will provide you with information, introduce you to a care plan and treatment options, and perform hands-on therapy.
Follow-up Sessions
Subsequent appointments include re-assessment, continued learning, and hands-on therapy.
Frequency of treatment is dependent on patients and their condition. A higher frequency of appointments may be needed at the start of the treatment. Your RMT will advise the frequency needed based on your agreed treatment plan. Frequency may range from once a week to once every 3 months.
When first booking, try to book in 3 sessions, 1 every 2 weeks. This is an average but be adjusted once you talk to your therapist.
After Sessions
It is normal to feel some fatigue and for your body to need and increase in water uptake. Plan to have a restful day after treatment and bring a bottle of water when you come in.
Roxanne | Manual Lymphatic Drainage Certified Massage Therapist
Roxanne graduated from the highly respected school, West Coast College of Massage Therapy, in 2015. She carries a passion to support her patient’s recovery process from the most vulnerable stages to one of full health. That passion led her to attain a full certification of the Vodder Method of Manual Lymph Drainage (MLD) and Combined Decongestive Therapy (CDT) and then to challenge the LANA exam.
In addition to MLD, she incorporates a variety of gentle, non-aggressive techniques as appropriate in different healing stages and management of the various conditions being treated.
Some of the many conditions Roxanne works with include swelling, bloating, cancer and post-cancer recovery, autoimmune disorders, slow digestion, PCOS, Pre & post-cosmetic and reconstructive surgery, Chronic sinusitis, lipedema, lymphedema, venous insufficiency, varicose veins, concussion and post-concussion syndrome, postnatal care and more.
Roxanne is also a certified garment fitter aiding in the maintenance of fluid reduction in chronic swelling conditions.
To book an appointment with Roxanne, Call us at 604-531-9708.
Frequently Asked Questions
No referrals are needed to book your appointment. Book your appointment by phone 604-531-9708 or in-person at our health centres.
MLD is performed by a Registered Massage Therapy and covered under “Massage Therapy” in your insurance plan. To verify your own coverage, contact your Extended Health provider. If you have coverage, Legacies may be able to do direct billing to most Extended Health Providers (see list).
Frequency of treatment is dependent on each patient. You may need a higher frequency of appointments when your treatment starts (i.e. 2 to 3 appointments every two weeks). Your RMT will advise the best frequency based on medical history and condition. Frequency may range from once a week to once every 3 months.
Manual Lymphatic Drainage appointments are only available at Southpoint location. You may book your appointment by phone (604-531-9708) or in-person. A few questions will be asked during booking to ensure this treatment is recommended for you.
If you are not sure if this service is for you, contact us.
Location That Provides Manual Lymphatic Drainage
Insurance Claims & Information
Get Back to Health after an Accident or Workplace Injury.
Extended Health Coverage
Legacies Health Centre offers direct billing to most Extended Health plans to the majority of our services. Some services (like Clinical Counselling), do not offer direct billing. In such instances, Legacies provides a medical receipt to be used on request for reimbursement. See an updated list of providers by clicking the ‘Learn More’ button below.
ICBC Insurance Claims
Legacies Practitioners, including Physiotherapists, Massage Therapists, Occupational Therapists, and Kinesiologists, all have extensive experience in administering ICBC treatments. We are here to help! Click the ‘learn more’ button for additional details.
WorkSafeBC Claims
Workplace injuries are usually due to trauma or overuse. If you have been injured as a result of a workplace activity, our team of experts at Legacies can perform a comprehensive assessment and develop a treatment plan to reduce your symptoms and rehabilitate your injury.
If your claim is approved by WSBC, your initial assessment is 100% covered with a WorkSafeBC Claim number. Once your claim has been accepted by WorkSafeBC, the full treatment cost of your appointments will be funded (within the approved time parameters). When you are ready, your physiotherapist will work with you, your employer, physician, and WorkSafeBC Case Manager to develop a safe and appropriate return to work plan. If your claim has been denied or is disallowed, the expenses will need to be covered by the Patient
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