Renew + Restore Wellness Center, Pleasanton, CA
The Lymphatic System and Therapy
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Traditionally, Manual Lymphatic Drainage, MLD is for those with Lymphedema or a compromised lymphatic system.
There are three main types: MLD for Lymphedema, Lymphatic Massage for Post Op Surgery swelling, and Lymphatic Massage for Detox for everyone.
MLD is also highly recommended for Post-Op patients.
After any surgery or liposuction, Doctors can refer patients to receive a series of post- op Manual Lymphatic Drainage for Lymphatic therapy treatments to assist in the healing process. MLD can reduce swelling, reduce infection and assist in the healing where incisions have been made by reducing fibrosis.
Leah Lyons, Renew + Restore, is a Certified Lymphedema Therapist, CLT. She received training, certification, license and Vodder continued education from The Norton School of Lymphatic Therapy and The Southwest Institute for Healing Arts, with Minnesota University for Integrative Nursing and Stanford University for Cancer Care. Her approach to treating Post- Op swelling from Liposuction, Facelifts, Tummy tucks is using Dr Vodders MLD Manual Lymphatic Drainage, CDT Complete Decongestive Therapy and is the same approach as many hospitals around the world provide.
Leah can also evaluate the compression garment that you are wearing and make referrals for adjustments.
More about surgeries and swelling
Inflammation and swelling: any surgical intervention, no matter its reasons, is perceived by the body as an injury. As such, it will initiate an inflammatory response that allows for blood coagulation and tissue stability. This results in increased fluid retention in the tissues. Hopefully, in weeks the body resolves this inflammation and swelling on its own. But many times, the body struggles to work through this natural response, and what starts as an acute process becomes chronic, leading to more pain and fibrotic tissue.
Scar tissue: the body’s natural response to damage, this tissue will form to heal the incision. As opposed to healthy skin tissue though, scar tissue has fewer elastic qualities which limits the ability of the tissue to stretch. Over time, left unchecked scar tissue can limit range of motion and even create new pain patterns.
Edema: the swelling that follows an unresolved inflammatory response. This indicates an overload of our lymphatic system, and in serious conditions can lead to tissue damage, pain, and numbness.
Nerve damage: sometimes nerves can be damaged during a surgery. This may lead to decreased sensation in the region of surgery for weeks, sometimes months following.
If you are not post-op or and do not have lymphedema-
We all can benefit from Lymphatic Massage Therapy!
Lymphatic Therapy is for anyone who wants to speed up their lymphatic system.
Benefits include:
Decrease bloating
Remove toxins
Filter water retention
Boost immunity
Reduce digestive issues
Decrease pms symptoms
Each body is different and the benefits are endless
Enhance and deeply decongest your lymphatic treatment with essential oils Clinical Aromatherapy
It is imperative to your health that you find
Certified Lymphedema Therapist.
A CLT has received, in addition to basic training, has also received specialized post op training, and will provide qualified lymphatic treatments and lymphatic massage. You should not go to a massage therapist that provides lymphatic massage, those are for people that have not had surgery or liposuction.
Simply ask, "Where did you receive your lymphatic training?" If they say they have a massage therapy certification, that is not enough. If they say they took a lymphatic class, ask "How may hours was that class and what was the name of the school?" Please do due diligence, look up the school to confirm it is a qualified school, not just a one day class training.
More about the Lymphatic System
Manual Lymphatic drainage is a Manual therapy massage that encourages the movement of lymph fluids around the body to be filtered and released.
Often, an accumulation of fluid can occur after lymph nodes are removed during surgery, most often a mastectomy for breast cancer. Lymphatic drainage massages can benefit people with lymphedema, fibromyalgia, and other conditions. Up to 25 percent of breast cancer patients whose surgery includes removal of lymph nodes in the area of the armpit eventually develop lymphedema.
The fluid in the lymphatic system is filtered by the lymph nodes. This natural process is simulated by your body's movement. Lymphatic drainage manually stimulates and enhances the lymph system to eliminate toxins.
Lymphatic drainage or manual lymph drainage massage therapy is a technique developed in Paris by Dr Emil Vodder in the 1930's.
What is dry brushing?
Your lymphatic system loves to be dry brushed!
Dry brushing is a gentle treatment to stimulate lymph fluid. The lymphatic system is just superficial to the skin, meaning the lymph system flows just underneath the skin, it is not as deep as a muscle. Dry brushing intentionally in the direction of the lymph nodes enhances the filtering of fluid and toxins. Dry brushing is also an ideal exfoliation for the whole body.
Dry brushing the whole body has many health benefits.
What to expect from a Renew+Restore lymphatic treatment?
Each treatment is very relaxing.
The treatment can begin with dry brushing the body.
Each appointment lasts from 60 to 75 minutes, usually is scheduled once or twice a week for two to four weeks.
Progress is monitored and adjusted as needed.
Self care is crucial to the treatments and will be discussed.
Lymphatic Facials
Renewing treatment of the face, neck and the back of the head.
Focusing on the facial lymph nodes and relaxing the facial muscles.
Contouring the face to drain fluid and reduce water retention. Lymphatic Tools are gently used with Rose Hip serum to stimulate new cell growth, reduce scars and wrinkles.
Red Light Therapy, Low Level Laser Therapy can be added for the ultimate skin renewal experience!