Manual lymphatic drainage after surgery in West Boylston, MA  

Swelling, pain, discomfort and bruising are common concerns after surgery. In this article I am going to go over how and why manual lymphatic drainage  after surgery can help you recover faster. Even when surgery goes text book these symptoms can catch patients off guard. Swelling, bruising and tightness of the area is part of the normal healing process. They can be scary looking and feeling after having surgery.  

This is where the magic of manual lymphatic drainage shines. The Vodder Technique was designed to help the lymphatic system move the extra fluid not needed for healing through the lymph vessels. Rhythmic  pumping techniques are used to manually move the extra lymphatic fluid back into the heart and lungs to get recycled. You can read more about Vodder Technique in this other blog post I wrote HERE

What is Vodder Technique 

Let’s learn more about how manual lymphatic drainage supports the body to heal faster. It is a very light touch technique. There is a specific rhythm and pattern that first opens up the lymph nodes and vessels. Then the extra fluid is manually pumped through the system. The touch is super light because the lymphatic vessels sit right under the skin. 

Lymphatic fluids' job is to remove cellular damage. I tell clients it is your body garage man, it takes the trash away. Anytime there has been trauma to the tissue there is going to be inflammation and swelling. When the body is all hands on deck in tissue repair mode, there’s going to be an increase of cellular waste. Why does this happen with surgery? The lymphatic system can gets overwhelmed with this extra cellular waste it needs to get rid of. The immune system will flood that area with lymphatic fluid. 

To repair this tissue damage there does need to be some swelling. However there can be too much fluid. Vodder Technique helps to move that extra fluid that is not needed through the lymphatic system to get recycled. With the advice from your doctor this type of bodywork can be done 3 days post op. I personally tend to work around stitches and bandages. My goal during the first couple of weeks post op, is to get the heat and bruising to go down. Most of my clients have noticed big changes within 24 hours after their first session.    

Types of clients I work with 

The types of clients I have worked with looking for manual lymphatic drainage after surgery are:

• Knee replacement
• Skin Removal 
• Tummy tuck
• Liposuction 

At my office this is what I see the most of. But I can help with any types of surgery that you have been struggling with swelling. 

Before you book, always make sure you talk to your doctor first. I am finding that most surgeons are aware of the benefits of manual lymphatic drainage. It is important to know I don’t drain incisions, that needs to be done through your doctor's office. I get asked about that the most from potential clients who have had cosmetic procedures. 

Most doctors suggest 8-10 sessions close together. That looks like 3-4 sessions a week. This to help keep the extra swelling down and it does speed up recovery. I tell clients to plan ahead and book all those sessions at once. 

What a manual lymphatic drainage session is like

As mentioned before, Vodder Technique style of manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) is light touch work. Most of the work is done face up. The session begins with opening up the lymph nodes in the neck and the thoracic trunk in the abdomen. This is 2 important sections of this type of bodywork, because this is where all the extra fluid gets moved towards so that lymphatic fluid can make its way to the heart and lungs to get recycled and used again.

The healthy side gets drained first. So for example if you’ve had your right knee replaced. The left knee is going to get drained first. This matters because I need a place to send all that extra fluid to. And it is going to take me an hour to drain both legs from that level of swelling. It’s important to understand that just because one area of the body has edema (swelling) both sides need to get drained, so that the lymphatic fluid moves more efficiently through the system. 

Area lymph nodes that I am working the fluid towards get working on multiple times. This helps to keep the fluid moving in the direction I am working the fluid towards. Neck down fluid always moves up towards the heart. Face and neck fluid always moves down to the heart. 

When will you notice results

Most manual lymphatic drainage after surgery clients see a difference in their healing within 24 hours after the first session. Some clients will need to pee extra. This is normal, it means the lymphatic system is getting rid of the extra fluid that’s not needed. The reddish purple skin coloring is going to start fading faster. You will also start feeling less heat in the area as well. Itching and swelling of the incision will also start reducing. If you are supposed to use compression, keep using it. The compression garments are going to help the manual lymphatic drainage session results last longer. The same thing goes for keeping up with using the ice. You can also use a vibration plate if you want a little bit more swelling relief. The vibration plate is helpful for those that are struggling with moving around too much after surgery. However, if you can walk around, you don’t need to buy one. Remember movement moves lymph. 

FAQ about manual lymphatic drainage after surgery 

I am certified in Vodder Technique through the Academy of Lymphatic Studies. If you are in the West Boylston, MA area I would love to help you start feeling better post op. You can book your sessions with me through my online calendar HERE. Or feel free to use my contact form if you have further questions about manual lymphatic drainage.