1801 E. Saginaw St, Ste 6, Lansing, Michigan 48912, United States

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Manual Lymphatic Drainage

Support Healing, Recovery, and Wellness with MLD

Your lymphatic system is one of your body’s most important systems for maintaining overall health. It acts as a natural detox network—moving waste, excess fluid, and immune cells through your body to keep inflammation in check and support immune function. But when the lymphatic system is slowed down or compromised, it can lead to swelling, fatigue, poor healing, and a sluggish immune response.


Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD), sometimes referred to as lymphatic massage, is a gentle, non-invasive technique designed to encourage the natural movement of lymphatic fluid. Using light, rhythmic stretching and skin traction techniques, MLD helps guide fluid out of swollen, congested, or stagnant areas of the body. This can support healing, ease inflammation, and improve circulation.


MLD is often prescribed following surgeries or injuries where swelling is present. It's also widely used for managing chronic lymphedema, especially in clients who have undergone radiation therapy and/or lymph node removal as part of cancer treatment. These treatments can damage or eliminate the pathways through which lymph normally flows, causing fluid to back up and accumulate. MLD can help re-route that fluid through healthy channels, reduce swelling, and restore comfort and function.


In addition to post-operative and medical uses, many people incorporate MLD into their routine as part of a general wellness or detoxification plan. Because the lymphatic system doesn’t have its own pump, it relies on movement, breath, and bodywork to function optimally. MLD can stimulate this system when it's underperforming, helping to clear cellular waste, reduce systemic inflammation, support immune function, and improve energy levels. Clients dealing with fatigue, brain fog, or general inflammation often find this work deeply restorative.


Your MLD journey begins with a 75-minute First Visit, which includes extended consultation time and hands-on treatment. During this initial session, we’ll review your health history, discuss your goals, and determine the best course of action based on your needs.


Follow-up sessions may range from 30 to 90 minutes depending on the areas being treated and the nature of your condition. For post-surgical swelling or acute issues, a series of sessions may be needed. Clients using MLD for general wellness, immune support, or detoxification may benefit from occasional maintenance visits to keep things flowing smoothly.


For those managing chronic lymphedema, ongoing treatment is essential. Lymphedema is a lifelong condition that requires regular care to control swelling, maintain function, and prevent complications. We’ll work with you to develop a sustainable treatment plan that supports your long-term health and comfort.

JUMP TO MLD Screening Questionnaire

Is Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) right for me?

Conditions that Respond Favorably to MLD

Conditions that Respond Favorably to MLD

Conditions that Respond Favorably to MLD

MLD offers a wide range of benefits for both recovery and overall wellness. It gently stimulates the lymphatic system to help move excess fluid, reduce swelling, ease discomfort, and support your body’s natural detox and immune processes. MLD can help reroute fluid around areas that are blocked or damaged—such as scar tissue or spots where lymph nodes have been removed—encouraging flow through healthy pathways instead. It also has a calming effect on the nervous system, often leaving clients feeling deeply relaxed and refreshed. Below are just some of the conditions and situations that respond well to MLD:

  • Sprains & strains
  • Whiplash
  • Hematomas (bruising) 
  • Post-surgical swelling (including after orthopedic and cancer-related procedures)
  • Cancer treatment & recovery (MLD may assist with healing after surgery or radiation, reduce swelling and bruising, ease pain, support immune health, relieve constipation, improve sleep, and promote overall comfort)
  • Post-radiation care (especially when lymph nodes have been damaged or removed)
  • Palliative care & hospice support (can aid in pain relief, reduce anxiety, and enhance quality of life)
  • Pregnancy-related swelling
  • Fibrocystic breast changes
  • Chronic inflammation
  • Lymphedema (we serve clients in phase 2 or maintenance only)
  • Lipedema
  • General wellness and detoxification (for clients seeking lymphatic support to reduce systemic inflammation, support immune function, or simply feel more energized and balanced)

Symptomatic Relief from MLD

Conditions that Respond Favorably to MLD

Conditions that Respond Favorably to MLD

MLD can also provide symptomatic relief for a variety of conditions. The analgesic (pain-relieving) effects promoted by MLD are due to the accelerated drainage of pain-causing (nociceptive) substances from treated areas. In addition, the light pressure used in MLD provides a stimulus for "gate control." The Gate Control Theory is a medical notion that one's nerves can be stimulated in a way that they close the "gates" which send pain signals to the brain. The light pressure used in MLD, as well as the gentle, rhythmic strokes, decreases the body's sympathetic (fight or flight) mode and promotes a parasympathetic (rest and digest) response. Because of this, MLD can be effectively utilized for neurological disorders, autoimmune diseases and other systemic disorders. Some examples are: 

  • Fibromyalgia
  • Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Scleroderma
  • Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), aka RDS
  • Parkinson's Disease
  • Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
  • Lupus
  • Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
  • Diabetic neuropathy 
  • Chronic headaches such as migraines and sinus headaches
  • Tinnitus
  • Anxiety / stress reduction / general relaxation 
  • Detoxification and enhanced immune function

Conditions that Require Special Consideration

Conditions that Require Special Consideration

Conditions that Require Special Consideration

Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) is a specialized therapy, but it is not suitable for everyone. Your safety is our top priority, and there are certain medical conditions that prevent us from providing this service. If you have any of the conditions listed below, we are unable to safely perform MLD, and treatment will not be available to you at this time.

  • Acute cellulitis (this is a painful, bacterial skin infection, not cellulite)
  • Active infection or fever (including lymphangitis, sepsis, or any condition causing systemic illness)*
  • Untreated or uncontrolled congestive heart failure (CHF)
  • Acute, untreated deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or blood clotting disorders
  • Severe kidney failure (end-stage renal disease)
  • Active cancer with metastasis in the lymphatic system
  • Severe peripheral arterial disease (PAD)
  • Uncontrolled hypertension


* Please note: A fever of 100.4°F / 38°C or higher indicates the body is fighting an infection. Because MLD stimulates circulation, it can spread infection throughout the body and place additional stress on the immune system. Treatment should only be scheduled once the fever and illness have fully resolved. 

  

If you have any concerns about whether MLD is right for you, we encourage you to consult with your healthcare provider before booking a session.

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We may be able to work with those with the following conditions, however they require special consideration before treatment:

  • Malignant disease (clients with active cancer)
  • Renal dysfunction (kidney disease)
  • Cardiac arrhythmia 
  • Hyperthyroidism
  • Hypersensitivity of the carotid sinus
  • Arteriosclerosis
  • Recent abdominal surgery
  • Radiation fibrosis, colitis or cystitis
  • Pelvic DVT 
  • Crohn's disease 
  • Diverticulitis and diverticulosis
  • Liver cirrhosis (portal venous hypertension)
  • Abdominal aortic aneurysm (even if surgically repaired)
  • Implanted devices (drains, feeding tubes, colostomy bags, pumps, etc.)
  • Osteoporosis
  • Bone metastases (bone cancer)
  • Hormone therapy (i.e. Tamoxifen) 

 

If you have any of the conditions listed above, it is likely that we will need to consult with your doctor or obtain medical clearance to ensure your treatment is both safe and effective.


Special considerations will be made for:

  • Oncology (previous or active cancer)
  • Post-DVT

Please Note

Conditions that Require Special Consideration

Conditions that Require Special Consideration

Health & Harmony does not accept post-cosmetic surgery patients for MLD. This includes, but is not limited to those who have received a face lift, breast augmentation, tummy tuck, liposuction, hip augmentation, or Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL). Please consult with your surgeon for a recommendation of a local CMLDT that performs that type of work. 


We could potentially offer care for individuals who have undergone procedures like mastectomy, breast reconstruction, breast reduction, or gender-affirming surgery. Each case will be evaluated individually to determine the appropriate course of action.


We do not remove surgical drains and/or drain incisions, under ANY circumstance, as it is beyond our scope of practice. If this is a service you require, please consult with your doctor.


Please be aware that because of the location of key lymph nodes, your MLD session may include gentle work in areas not typically addressed during a standard massage—often referred to as "swimsuit areas." The highest concentration of lymph nodes is found in the armpits, breasts, and groin. If appropriate for your treatment goals, these areas may be included to ensure effective drainage, including breast tissue when appropriate, and while the genitals themselves are never touched, the surrounding groin area may be addressed if clinically indicated. 


Depending on your condition, it may be necessary for us to consult with and/or obtain medical clearance from your doctor so that we can treat your condition safely and effectively. 


IF YOU THINK MLD MAY BE HELPFUL FOR YOU, PLEASE COMPLETE OUR SCREENING QUESTIONNAIRE BY CLICKING THE LINK BELOW.

MLD Screening Questionnaire

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