MANUAL LYMPHATIC DRAINAGE
What is Manual Lymphatic Drainage?
Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) is a technique that helps to stimulate the lymph vessels that lie under your dogs skin. The technique is a gentle treatment that works at skin level and not muscle level. The gentle skin stretching techniques help the lymph vessels to work harder and transport the flow of lymph away from swollen or congested areas and carry it back to its ducts.
An MLD treatment performed correctly looks very superficial as the movements are very light so as not to stimulate the muscles. The treatment is very relaxing and it is normal for your dog to sleep through the treatment.
How does MLD benefit your dog?
It restores balance back to their body by helping to restore the function of the lymphatic system
- Helps to reduce oedemas / swollen areas in their body
- Triggers the parasympathetic system calming them and reducing anxiety
- Rehabilitates their immune system after an injury or surgery
- Helps to increase the removal of toxins and other waste products from the cells
- Regular sessions can help to retrain the lymphatic system to work more efficiently
Some of the main conditions helped by sessions of MLD.
- Oedemas / areas of swelling/ fluid retention
- Anxiety
- Stress
- Problems with sleeping
- Arthritis
- Post surgery
MLD isn’t suitable for all dogs, therefore if your dog is suffering from any of the following MLD treatments should not be carried out. However, other forms of massage may be suitable
- Lymphoma
- Heart conditions
- Kidney disease
- Acute renal failure
- Acute inflammation caused by bacteria / fungi / virus