MLD (Manual Lymphatic Drainage) | MLD Melbourne

Did you just have a surgery and you want to improve your recovery, or do you feel bloated, or do you just want to deeply relax? Manual Lymphatic Drainage is the treatment you need for any of those.

Home » MLD

What is MLD

MLD stands for Manual Lymphatic Drainage, a manual technique developed in Europe in the early 20th century by Dr. Emil Vodder and his wife, Dr. Estrid Vodder, that aims to boost the lymphatic system.

Manual lymphatic drainage is a pain-free, non-invasive technique.

Compared with Deep Tissue work, MLD doesn’t use deep pressures that aim to reproduce the ache sensation, even though it is highly relaxing.

What can MLD help with?

Thanks to the gentle touch that MLD is characterized by, it can be used for many presentations where any other hands-on therapy is banned due to reproducing pain or risking damage to the skin.

Dermatological such as: • Eczema • Acne • Skin Burn • Scar Therapy • Swelling
Musculoskeletal Presentations such as: • Acute injuries • Arthritis & Rheumatoid Arthritis • Hip/Shoulder chronic conditions • Neck Pain • Pain Management • Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) • Fibromyalgia
Health Conditions such as: • Lymphoedema • Lipoedema • Sinusitis - frontal/maxillar • Hay fever • Rhinitis • Tinnitus (Ear) • Meniere's Disease (hearing/balance) • Puffy eyes • Long Covid • Cosmetic Surgery

Here is a link to a study published on www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov that discusses how MLD in Vodder Style can help reduce hand oedema after a distal radius fracture.

How MLD does Actually work?

Before commencing treatment, Giovanni will guide you on what to expect from your MLD treatment and how MLD works. But here is a brief rundown about it:

MLD consists of light touch, slight skin stretching, and skin release.
The Lymphatic System is directly affected by this skin stimulus and starts working harder and faster by collecting more waste around the body.
The Lymphatic System then releases the collected liquid into the bloodstream at the upper clavicle area; therefore, the cervical area is the first Lymphatic System body area to get stimulated.
As lymphatic fluid is displaced in the bloodstream, the kidneys and liver process it for final filtering.

To maximise its effect, it is suggested not to put any cream or oil on your skin before the treatment, as it would be difficult for Giovanni to apply a stretch to it and stimulate the lymphatic system.

Myth and Fact about Lymphatic System and MLD

When patients come in for their lymphatic drainage massage, I often have to clarify some facts about MLD. Here are some of the most common topics.

Fact 1

The Lymphatic System and Immune System works together to keep your body in homeostasis (Which means, maintain a stable internal environment despite external changes).

Fact 2

Any physical activity can boos your Lymphatic System. This is possible because of the muscles contraction, does stimulates the capillary of the Lymphatic System to work harder.

Fact 3

The lymphatic system is where Omega 6 or also known as Long Fatty Chain Acid , get collected. The more of those you eat, the more inflammatory response your immune system (within the lymphatic system) would generate.

Myth 1

MLD can boost your immune system. Lymphatic system and immune system do collaborate, but one can not make the other work faster or harder. To be clear, you would not want your immune system to be boost, as this is what a immune disease actually act.

Myth 2

Someone tells you: "You have a sluggish Lymphatic System." No one, unless you had a lymphoscintography, can with the touch or via a blood test diagnose a sluggish lymphatic system. And if you do so, you would suffer from severe swelling (Lymphoedema).

Myth 3

You are going to experience head ache or nausea after an MLD session. Feeling unwell post MLD is often due to lack of water intake post treatment.Indeed, after your session is done, make sure you drink plenty of water to keep your body hydrate, as you would loose more liquid then normal post treatment.

Giovanni's Manual Lymphatic Drainage Qualifications

Giovanni started studying MLD during its Remedial Massage course with RMIT in 2021. In November 2021, he earned a certification from the Vodder Academy for Applied MLD and a certification in Lymphoedema and management in October 2024.

Thanks to boths this certifications, Giovanni is entitle to work with patient who has an intact lymphatic system or who may have a non intact lymphatic system and needs extra care.

MLD Contraindications

Absolute Contraindications

• Acute inflammation with infection
• Untreated thrombus
• Untreated Cancer
• Congestive heart failure

Relative Contraindications

• Chronic inflammation
• Treated thrombus
• Treated Cancer
• Asthma
• Hypo/Hyperthyroidism
• Pregnancy
• Menstruation
• Nevus
• Hx of tuberculosis
• Hypertension/Diabetes

Manual Lymphatic Drainage Prices

The length of the appointment is dictated by the presentation we need to treat. Here you can find a simplified breakdown of the appointment length per presentation:

• Work that involves leg treatment – 60 mins

• Treatment that involves arms – 45 mins

• Facial or only Abdominal area – 30 mins

This time frame does not cover surgery presentation, which may require more treatment time.

All the prices are inclusive of GST.

If you suffer from Long Covid or Chronic Fatigue, we may start with a 30-minute appointment, evaluate your body response, and take it from there.

Manual Lymphatic Drainage for Pregnancy

During the different stages of pregnancy, a woman may experience swelling and fluid retention, especially in the limbs, such as feet and hands. Lymphatic Drainage Massage can be a helpful treatment to alleviate oedema discomfort symptoms and help reduce congestion.

At Melbourne Massage and Treatment, I offer MLD pregnancy massage on a hydraulic reclining table that becomes a comfortable chair. You can sit and be comfortable throughout the treatment.

What would the treatment be like?

Lymphatic Drainage Massage for pregnancy is offered either for:

- Upper Body (neck, face and arms);
- Lower body (neck, abdomen, legs).

As per all the MLD treatments, no intense pressure is applied, and the treatment consists of stretching and letting the skin recoil to stimulate the lymphatic system to its full potential.

When can we not proceed?

Let’s not forget that pregnancy is a partial contraindication to MLD, and this is because of:

- History of high-risk pregnancy;
- Preeclampsia;
- Pretem Birth;
- Late pregnancy;
- Gestational diabetes;
- Pre-Existing Heart Conditions;
- Pre-Existing Liver or Kidney Conditions;
- First 12 weeks of pregnancy.

Those are all presentations that may put your pregnancy at risk, and any massage is not recommended. Therefore, to proceed with this type of treatment, you want to talk to your GP or doctor to ensure none of those apply to you.

Cosmetic Surgery & Lymphatic System Care

Cosmetic surgeries are now on the rise, and I am here to help you with your post-surgery recovery.

If you are planning to undergo a cosmetic surgery or you have just had one done, MLD is an ideal therapy to take care of your Lymphatic System and post-surgery recovery.

Indeed, MLD can help with:

• Reduce Swelling Post Surgery;
• Reduce the risk of Fibrosis (hard lumpy tissue beneath the skin);
• Restore the functionality of the Lymphatic System;
• Improve scar tissue healing;
• Move exceeds the liquid accumulated post-intervention.

What cosmetic surgery benefits from MLD treatment?

Any post-surgery intervention would benefit from MLD treatment.
When undergoing surgery, the skin and lymphatic system are cut and damaged. The lymphatic system must be stimulated to restore its function and support the healing process.

Here is a list of surgeries that can benefit from Manual Lymphatic Drainage:

• Liposuction
• Belly Tuck

• Abdominoplasty
• Breast reduction
• Body lift

In addition to cosmetic surgery, the benefit of MLD extends to any type of surgery, including medical procedures like C-sections and joint replacement.

MLD Client's Feedback

MLD - Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

What you should know about Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD)

During a Manual Lymphatic Drainage Massage, Giovanni will apply gentle stretches to your skin and apply firm pressure where needed to stimulate the lymphatic system. MLD is non-invasive and is a pain-free manual therapy.

The toxin collected by the lymphatic system gets dumped in the bloodstream at your jugular and clavicle veins. From there, they get passed to the kidneys and Liver, and then are expelled via urine and faeces.

Unless you present with Lymphoedema, no one can tell at a glance if your Lymphatic system is clotted or poorly functioning. Swelling in the extremities of your body, such as hands and or feet, can be a sign of poor decongestion, but it can also be confused for vein insufficiency or other conditions. Reach out to Giovanni if you need more information about it.

Once the Lymphatic System is stimulated, more liquid would be processed by your kidneys, and therefore you will be pooing or urinating more. It is important than to drink plenty of water post-treatment to stay hydrated.

Yes, there are a few things that you can or should not do before or after an MLD massage.

No Alcohol or intoxicants (at any time before or after)
Have time to rest (after the treatment, you may feel quite relaxed and sleepy)
Having a light meal before or after the treatment is fine
You can do sport, before or after the treatment, even heavy lifting.

At Melbourne Massage and Treatment in Fitzroy North, MLD prices and costs are:

Initial Consultation or 60 mins - $125
Follow Up - 45 mins - $115
Follow Up - 30 mins - $90
Pregnancy Massage 45 mins - $125

All prices include GST.

No, most luckily no. MLD does not cause weight loss, nor does it remove fat. You can feel lighter as liquid has been moved around. It's a different story if you are doing post-surgery recovery, then yes, you will expel more fluid than the norm, as your swelling would reduce.

Yes, there are contraindications to MLD: