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BUCKY Plastic Surgery
BUCKY BODY CENTER

RESTORE

Manual Lymphatic Drainage Massage

Restore the body and mind with the multi-benefit manual lymphatic drainage massage at the Bucky Body Center in Philadelphia. 

Our expert MLD massage therapists utilize specialized modalities that improve and heal the body from the inside out – utilizing manually-applied light pressure to work directly with your lymphatic system, our treatments repair, shape and boost whole-body function. In each session, our therapists employ techniques to promote the drainage of accumulated lymph fluid that are proven to dramatically speed up recovery post-surgery, injury, or strenuous activity, give you a leaner look by eliminating unwanted bloat, and boost your overall health through detoxification.

All of our licensed massage therapists are Vodder Trained in MLD, largely recognized as the gold standard for MLD. While many schools have attempted to replicate Vodder’s methods, therapists practicing non-Vodder techniques generally don’t see the results Vodder therapists do.

Why Should I Get Manual Lymphatic Drainage Massage?

Almost everyone has experienced some type of activity in the course of their life that has resulted in some sort of swelling, bloating or achy pain — from surgery, to sports injuries, to standing for hours on end, to catching a cold or eating a food that just doesn’t sit well with you.  Swelling is the body’s natural way of protecting and healing a healthy individual, and while it will usually diminish day-by-day and ultimately resolve itself over time, MLD can drastically speed up the healing and recovery process and greatly reduce swelling in a natural, relaxing and completely painless treatment. (In fact, MLD is so effective that patients who received lymphatic massage after surgery had completely healed within 6–12 weeks, compared to 9–18 months for patients who didn’t receive MLD massages!1)

Why We Love MLD

Lymphatic massage delivers a multitude of benefits to the body because it can:

Dramatically reduce pain and swelling after injury or surgery

Speed up recovery

Improve circulation and congestion

De-bloat and slim 

Remove excess toxins

Improve wound healing and scarring

Enjoy special savings when you purchase one of our Bucky Body Center packages. Schedule a consultation today.

How Does Manual Lymphatic Drainage Massage Work?

MLD reduces swelling by increasing lymphatic activity using manual rhythmic and gentle massage techniques.2 Lymphatic massage follows the direction of lymph flow with the intention of moving lymphatic fluid to lymph nodes, which then empty the excess lymphatic fluid and unwanted toxins into the bloodstream where it can be processed and absorbed by the body. 

Our specialists will also combine added techniques ranging from Gua Sha to dry brushing to elasticity-improving products to also help shape the body and improve circulation for a slimmer, healthier appearance and bodily function.

Lymphatic System Diagram

Manual Lymphatic Drainage Massage FAQ

  • Am I a good candidate for MLD? Yes, MLD is an appropriate treatment for all people seeking treatments that range from just relaxing to actual healing.
  • Is MLD safe? Yes, MLD is a safe and effective way to reduce swelling and promote recovery after a surgical procedure, slim and shape a bloated body, or simply detoxify the body and mind in a relaxing manner.
  • How long will my MLD treatment take? The length of your MLD treatment will depend on the size and number of the areas being treated, but most sessions last approximately 30 minutes.
  • Where will my MLD procedure take place? MLD treatments are performed by a licensed lymphatic massage and Vodder trained therapist in one of the Bucky Body Center highly curated treatment rooms.
  • Does MLD hurt? No, MLD does not hurt. Most patients find it pleasurable and relaxing.
  • How many MLD treatments will I need? The number of MLD treatments needed or desired depends on individual goals and concerns. For those looking to heal post-surgery, we recommend a minimum of two MLD treatments. Those seeking MLD for overall health and aesthetic reasons can come on a routine basis for maintenance as they desire.
  • What’s the difference between MLD and compression therapy? Since Compression Therapy utilizes a garment to reduce swelling, it is less targeted than MLD which is a more hands-on and targeted approach to healing and detoxifying. Our MLD therapists manually gather information from your body to redirect lymphatic fluid and reduce site-specific swelling while compression therapy is a more general treatment throughout the entire garment. While compression therapy can be helpful in an otherwise healthy individual, and is particularly effective after a strenuous workout or to heal or relax an overall “sore” body, MLS offers a more personalized approach to treatments. Compression therapy can be helpful when combined with MLD.

1Conference of the American Society of Lymphology. August 21-22, 1999. Manual Lymphatic Drainage Therapy: An Integral Component of Postoperative Care in Plastic Surgery Patients. Available at: https://haltmyswelling.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Research-Manual-Lymphatic-Drainage-An-integral-Component-of-Postoperative-Care.pdf

2Lymphatic Research and Biology. 2017 Sep;15(3):235-240. Investigating the Short-Term Effects of Manual Lymphatic Drainage and Compression Garment Therapies on Lymphatic Function Using Near-Infrared Imaging. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28749744